Blindness and enlightenment : an essay : with a new translation of Diderot's Letter on the Blind (1749) and a translation of La Mothe Le Vayer's Of a Man-Born-Blind (1653)

Blindness and Enlightenment presents a reading and a new translation of Diderot's Letter on the Blind. Diderot was the editor of the Encyclopédie, that Trojan horse of Enlightenment ideas, as well as a novelist, playwright, art critic and philosopher. His Letter on the Blind of 1749 is essential reading for anyone interested in Enlightenment philosophy or eighteenth-century literature because it contradicts a central assumption of Western literature and philosophy, and of the Enlightenment in particular, namely that moral and philosophical insight is dependent on seeing. Kate Tunstall's essay guides the reader through the Letter, its anecdotes, ideas and its conversational mode of presenting them, and it situates the Letter in relation both to the Encyclopedie and to a rich tradition of writing about and, most importantly, talking and listening to the blind. Content: List of Figures appearing in the Essay Acknowledgements Note on the References Prologue, or Operation Enlightenment Recognition Scenes Misrecognition Scenes Scene Unseen Introduction: Optics and Tactics ***, or the Letter-Writer Formerly Known as Diderot Wider Focus and Closer Up Blind Man's Buff The Epigram One: Reading is Believing? The Man-Born-Blind of Puiseaux Blind Men and Bonnets Saunderson Two: The Blind Leading the Blind Leading the Blind Leading the Blind Leading the Blind... Molyneux's Man-Born-Blind A Comic Type Sextus Empiricus's Man who Sees and Hears Nothing Montaigne's Gentleman of a Good House, Born Blind Descartes's Analogy Gassendi's Man-Born-Blind La Mothe Le Vayer's Man-Born-Blind Three: Point of View and Point de Vue Reflections and Refractions Morally Blind. Blind Vanity Optics and Phatics Blind Metaphysics See and Tell Four: Grouping Around in the Light Imagination and Memory Touch and Drawing An English Geometer's Ingenious Expression Staying in Touch Felicitous Expressions Five: A Supplement to Saunderson's Memoirs An Omission A Conversation of the Existence of God An Epicurean Vision Last Words Six: Dis/Solving Molyneux's Problem The Prussian's Girl-Born-Blind A Painful Operation Trained Eyes Seeing the Light It Depends Conclusion, or Two Hours Later... Bibliography Index Appendices I. Denis Diderot, The Letter on the Blind for the Use of Those Who Can See (1749) Note on the Translation Translation II. Francois de La Mothe Le Vayer, 'Of a Man-Born-Blind' (1653) Note on the Translation Translation. Blindness and Enlightenment presents a reading and a new translation of Diderot Letter on the Blind. Diderot was the editor of theEncyclopedie, that Trojan horse of Enlightenment ideas, as well as a novelist, playwright, art critic and philosopher. His Letter on the Blindof 1749 is essential reading for anyone interested in Enlightenment philosophy or eighteenth-century literature because it contradicts a central assumption of Western literature and philosophy, and of the Enlightenment in particular, namely that moral and philosophical insight is dependent on seeing. Kate Tunstall's essay guides the reader through the Letter, its anecdotes, ideas and its conversational mode of presenting them, and it situates the Letter in relation both to the Encyclopedie and to a rich tradition of writing about and, most importantly, talking and listening to the blind. A New Reading And Translation, The First Into English Since The Eighteenth-century, Of Diderot's Letter On The Blind For Use By The Sighted--provided By Publisher. Kate E. Tunstall. With A New Translation Of Diderot's Letter On The Blind (1749)and A Translation Of La Mothe Le Vayer's Of A Man-born-blind (1653). Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Diderot was the founder and editor of the "Encyclopedie", a novelist, a philosopher and an active proponent of democratic ideals. His "Letter on the Blind for Use by the Sighted" is essential reading for those who are interested in Enlightenment philosophy. This title presents a reading and translation of Diderot's "Letter on the Blind". International entrepreneurship is becoming the focus for major research initiatives in universities throughout the world. The final part highlights differences in economic growth among countries with different entrepreneurial traditions.