Descartes: An Analytical and Historical Introduction

By Georges Dicker

Book Overview

A 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 philosophy of 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 of the 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 the full text of Meditations I, II, and V, and most of Meditations III and VI, employing John Cottingham's highly-praised translation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195075900
• ISBN13: 9780195075908
• Release Date: February 1993
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

An accessible introduction to Descartes. Clearly written.

Dicker's introduction to Descartes is clearly written and easily accessible to new students of Descartes. Although it's not substitute for a thorough inquiry into Descartes' philosophy, Dicker's book is a necessary read for new students. See his book on Hume as well.