Descartes: An Analytical and Historical Introduction

Product DescriptionA solid grasp of the main themes and arguments of the seventeenth century philosopher Rene Descartes is an essential tool towards understanding modern thought, and a necessary entree to the work of the empiricists and Immanuel Kant, and to the study of contemporary epistemology and philosophyof mind. Clear and accessible, this new book serves as an introduction to Descartes's ideas for undergraduates and as a sophisticated companion to his Meditations for more advanced readers. After a thorough discussion of the main themes and arguments of the Meditations, the historical background ofthe work, and its critical reception, the author offers his own reflections on Cartesian doubt, the cogito, the causal and ontological proofs of God's existence, the Cartesian circle, Cartesian dualism, and Descartes' views of the material world. The commentary includes and cross-references thefull text of Meditations I, II, and V, and most of Meditations III and VI, employing John Cottingham's highly-praised translation.Review"A sensible philosophical introduction to Descartes." S. Kwame, Lincoln University"Excellent...for student and teacher purposes." Louis Tenus, Rosary College"An excellent field guide to the Meditations a first class piece of work." Richard Parker, California State University, Chico"This is a good book to use for a course that deals with Descartes, such as History of Modern Philosophy course. It has some profound discussion about the soundness of the Ontological Argument for God's existence, etc." Stephen Joseph, Framingham State College"The best introduction to the philosophy of Descartes available." Jim Syfers, San Francisco State University"Straightforward!!" The Modern SchoolmanAbout the AuthorGeorges Dicker is at State University of New York, Brockport.
Author: Dicker, Georges

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Binding: Paperback

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0195075900

ISBN-13: 9780195075908