In his magnum opus, the Historical and Critical Dictionary, Pierre Bayle offered a series of brilliant criticisms of the major philosophical and theological systems of the 17th Century. Although officially skeptical concerning the attempt to provide a definitive account of the truths of metaphysics, there is reason to see Bayle as a reluctant skeptic. In particular, Todd Ryan contends that Bayle harbored deep sympathy for the attempt by Descartes and his most innovative successor, Nicolas Malebranche, to establish a metaphysical system that would provide a foundation for the new mechanistic natural philosophy while helping to secure the fundamental tenets of rational theology. Through a careful analysis of Bayle s critical engagement with such philosophers as Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke and Newton, it is argued that, despite his reputation as a skeptic, Bayle was not without philosophical commitments of his own. Drawing on the full range of Bayle s writings, from his early philosophical lectures to his final controversial writings, Ryan offers detailed studies of Bayle s treatment of such pivotal issues as mind-body dualism, causation and God s relation to the world."
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In his magnum opus, the Historical and Critical Dictionary, Pierre Bayle offered a series of brilliant criticisms of the major philosophical and theological systems of the 17th Century. Although officially skeptical concerning the attempt to provide a definitive account of the truths of metaphysics, there is reason to see Bayle as a reluctant skeptic. In particular, Todd Ryan contends that Bayle harbored deep sympathy for the attempt by Descartes and his most innovative successor, Nicolas Malebranche, to establish a metaphysical system that would provide a foundation for the new mechanistic natural philosophy while helping to secure the fundamental tenets of rational theology. Through a careful analysis of Bayle s critical engagement with such philosophers as Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke and Newton, it is argued that, despite his reputation as a skeptic, Bayle was not without philosophical commitments of his own. Drawing on the full range of Bayle s writings, from his early philosophical lectures to his final controversial writings, Ryan offers detailed studies of Bayle s treatment of such pivotal issues as mind-body dualism, causation and God s relation to the world."
Imprint | Routledge |
Country of origin | United Kingdom |
Series | Routledge Studies in Seventeenth-Century Philosophy |
Release date | August 2014 |
Availability | Expected to ship within 12 - 17 working days |
First published | 2009 |
Authors | Todd Ryan |
Dimensions | 229 x 152 x 15mm (L x W x T) |
Format | Paperback |
Pages | 238 |
ISBN-13 | 978-0-415-53863-3 |
Barcode | 9780415538633 |
Categories | |
LSN | 0-415-53863-7 |