The Rise of Modern Philosophy: A New History of Western Philosophy, Volume 3 by Anthony Kenny (PDF)

Description

Sir Anthony Kenny’s engaging new multi-volume history of Western philosophy now advances into the modern era. The Rise of Modern Philosophy captures the fascinating story of the emergence, from the early sixteenth to the early nineteenth century, of the great ideas and intellectual systems that shaped modern thought. Kenny introduces us to some of the world’s most original and influential thinkers and helps us gain an understanding of their famous works. The great minds we meet include René Descartes, traditionally seen as the founder of modern philosophy; the great British philosophers Hobbes, Locke, and Hume; continental thinkers such as Spinoza, Liebniz, and Hegel; and the towering figure of Immanuel Kant, who perhaps more than any other made philosophy what it is today. Kenny first tells the story of modern philosophy chronologically: his lively, accessible narrative brings the philosophers to life and fills in the historical and intellectual background to their work. It is ideal as the first thing to read for someone new to this wonderfully creative period. Kenny then backtracks to look closely at each of the main areas of philosophical exploration in this period: knowledge and understanding; the nature of the physical universe; metaphysics (the most fundamental questions there are aboutexistence); mind and soul; the nature and content of morality; political philosophy; and God. The book also features many intriguing and beautiful illustrations which evoke the human and social side of philosophy. Anyone who is interested in the evolution of modern thought will find this a book a treasure.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: About the Author Sir Anthony Kenny is one of Britain’s most distinguished academic figures. He has been Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Master of Balliol College, Chairman of the Board of the British Library, and President of the British Academy. He has published more than forty books on philosophy and history.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐inexpensive for the book but the packaging was awful, the book was almost falling out of it. still works for my philosophy class

⭐No problems

⭐He’s a great writer and historian

⭐I Love everything about this book the time that it took to arrive and it has really helped me in class.

⭐Very good. Thanks.

⭐This is a good overview of philosophy during the so-called beginning of the modern period. This book is one in a series on philosophy, and Kenny presents it as a book suitable as an introduction. Having read many overviews like this, I found it more challenging than the typical introductory work, but still definitely written for a general audience. The first half of the book covers the individuals, their lives and their historical contexts. In each instance Kenny dips into some of the philosophical arguments, but leaves the in-depth review for the second half (except for Hegel who got more coverage in the first half than others). The second half covers philosophy in this period by topic: epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, etc.This is the zone where the subject matter becomes much more challenging and at times understanding is complicated when trying to keep track of who thought what. I did find one of the better presentations of Hume’s explanation of why we can’t use reason to prove cause and effect. This book is worth reading as a substantive and challenging introduction to the major topics of philosophy as well as to the major philosophers of the period covered.

⭐`The Rise of Modern Philosophy’ is the third of four volumes in Anthony Kenny’s `A New History of Western Philosophy’ recently published by Oxford University Press. For those unfamiliar with the author, Kenny is a leading contemporary scholar that has previously written noteworthy texts on Aquinas, Descartes, and Wittgenstein amongst others. It is the second text in the series that I have read (I previously read Volume 1).On the positive side it is the best single-author overview of Western philosophy of which I am familiar, more readable than Copleston and more evenhanded than Russell. Kenny is a talented writer with an impressive knowledge of the Western tradition, able to tell the story of philosophy is an integrated and insightful manner. As is becoming popular in introductory texts Kenny blends a chronological and subject matter approach, over viewing the period chronologically in the first third of the book then looking at specific subjects in more detail in the latter part (e.g. ethics, epistemology, metaphysics). This would seem to be a helpful approach to the newcomer; providing some important historic context before delving into specific material in detail.On the less positive side, while I feel Kenny’s work deserves a wide audience I am uncertain if it will readily find one. Those with sufficient background to follow the discussion may pass on the book, while those unacquainted with philosophy may find that the text moves too fast and somewhat opaque. Indeed given the tremendous amount of great thinkers in this period and the limited space available some important thinkers get rather short shrift (e.g. Hegel). Finally, from a physical perspective the paper is glossy, giving it a `fluffy’ feel and making it difficult to read it certain lightening conditions (reflection).Overall, this is a good work by an excellent philosopher. Despite some drawbacks it is a helpful book and I will likely pick up the remaining two volumes.

⭐This is a text for a class I’m taking, and I’m honestly not impressed. For example, I have never heard the Reformation referred to as an “unnecessary tragedy” (10). Kenny then goes on to note that modern Christians are generally unaware of the differences which spurred the rift as if the comparison has some valid measure. The fact is that what were priorities in political, cultural and social circles vary from time to time and place to place, and to impose our modern mores on past cultures is about as useful as fitting a chicken with a set of dentures.If all you’re looking for is a modern perspective on past thought, have at. Otherwise, don’t waste your money.

⭐This book has come in handy many times during essays and reading weeks as well as during seminars. My seminar leader/ lecturer loves this book and recommends it to his students, not only for the content but also the writing style that he suggests we apply in our essays. Helps a lot as well understand the ideas of the philosopher’s you are studying and gives alternative examples for a better understanding. Got mine second hand and In very good condition.

⭐Sia chiaro: non ci troviamo di fronte ad un capolavoro. Ma ad un lavoro intelligente e stimolante, ove l’approccio squisitamente analitico, tipico della tradizione e della didattica della “british philosophy” si coniuga gradevolmente con quello storico e filologicamente rigoroso tipico della tradizione continentale e italo-tedesca soprattutto.Ovviaemente, la parte più interessante e innovativa risiede proprio nella scelta operata sui nuclei concettuali che Kenny ritiene rilevanti nel periodo storico considerato. e si tratta di una scelta intelligente perchè capace di rendere ragione di interessi ontologici, epistemologici, etici ecc.Decorosa – nel senso di sostanzialmente corretta ma forse un po’ troppo sbrigativa – la parte prettamente storica. ma questo andava concesso…a un non continentale…It is written in a good style and has very clear language which makes it easy to understand. A nice size book with a very readable font. 🙂

⭐Excellent ! the deep insight into the rise from medieval philosophies to the modern philosophies with the necessity links of causes and effects is remarkable ingenuity of his own idea. 仲本朴

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