Essays on the philosophy and science of René Descartes

A major contribution to Descartes studies, this book provides a panorama of cutting-edge scholarship ranging widely over Descartes's own primary concerns: metaphysics, physics, and its applications. It is at once a tool for scholars and--steering clear of technical Cartesian science--an accessible resource that will delight nonspecialists. The contributors include Edwin Curley, Willis Doney, Alan Gabbey, Daniel Garber, Marjorie Grene, Gary Hatfield, Marleen Rozemond, John Schuster, Dennis Sepper, Stephen Voss, Stephen Wagner, Margaret Welson, Jean Marie Beyssade, Michelle Beyssade, Michel Henry, Evert van Leeuwen, Jean-Luc Marion, Genevi?ve Rodis-Lewis, and Jean-Pierre S?ris. Combining new textual sensitivity with attentiveness to history, they represent the best established scholars and most exciting new voices, including both English speaking and newly-translated writers. Part I examines the foundations of Descartes's philosophy: Cartesian certainty; the phenomenology of the cogito and its modulations in the passions; and the defensibility and comprehensibility of the Cartesian God. The second part examines Descartes's groundbreaking metaphysics: mind's distinctness from and interaction with body; imagination; perception; and language. Part III examines Cartesian science: the revolutionary rhetoric of the Rules and the Discourse; the metaphysical foundations of physics; the interplay of rationalism and empiricism; the mechanics and human biology that flow from Descartes's physics. The Essays In This Volume Represent The Best Current Work On Descartes' Philosophy And Science. They Range Over What Descartes Himself Regarded As His Major Contributions: Metaphysics, Physics, And Their Applications For The Benefit Of Human Beings. Certainty : Psychological, Moral, And Metaphysical / Edwin Curley -- The Cogito : Privileged Truth Or Exemplary Truth? / Michelle Beyssade -- The Soul According To Descartes / Michel Henry -- Generosity And Phenomenology : Remarks On Michel Henry's Interpretation Of The Cartesian Cogito / Jean-luc Marion -- Did Caterus Misunderstand Descartes's Ontological Proof? / Willis Doney -- On The Idea Of God : Incomprehensibility Or Incompatibilities? / Jean-marie Beyssade -- The Role Of The Intellect In Descartes's Case For The Incorporeity Of The Mind / Marleen Rozemond -- Mind-body Interaction In Descartes / Stephen I. Wagner -- Simplicity And The Seat Of The Soul / Stephen Voss -- Ingenium, Memory Art, And The Unity Of Imaginative Knowing In The Early Descartes / Dennis L. Sepper -- Descartes On The Perception Of Primary Qualities / Margaret D. Wilson. Language And Machine In The Philosophy Of Descartes / Jean-pierre Séris -- Whatever Should We Do With The Cartesian Method? : Reclaiming Descartes For The History Of Science / John A. Schuster -- Method, Discourse, And The Act Of Knowing / Evert Van Leeuwen -- From Metaphysics To Physics / Geneviève Rodis-lewis -- Reason, Nature, And God In Descartes / Gary Hatfield -- Descartes And Experiment In The Discourse And Essays / Daniel Garber -- Descartes's Physics And Descartes's Mechanics : Chicken And Egg? / Alan Gabbey -- The Heart And Blood : Descartes, Plemp And Harvey / Marjorie Grene. Edited By Stephen Voss. In English, With Some Essays Translated From French. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. A major contribution to Descartes studies, this book provides a panorama of cutting-edge scholarship ranging widely over Descartes's own primary concerns: metaphysics, physics, and its applications. It is at once a tool for scholars and--steering clear of technical Cartesian science--an accessible resource that will delight nonspecialists. The contributors include Edwin Curley, Willis Doney, Alan Gabbey, Daniel Garber, Marjorie Grene, Gary Hatfield, Marleen Rozemond, John Schuster, Dennis Sepper, Stephen Voss, Stephen Wagner, Margaret Welson, Jean Marie Beyssade, Michelle Beyssade, Michel Henry, Evert van Leeuwen, Jean-Luc Marion, Geneviève Rodis-Lewis, and Jean-Pierre Séris. Combining new textual sensitivity with attentiveness to history, they represent the best established scholars and most exciting new voices, including both English speaking and newly-translated writers. Part I examines the foundations of Descartes's philosophy: Cartesian certainty; the phenomenology of the cogito and its modulations in the passions; and the defensibility and comprehensibility of the Cartesian God. The second part examines Descartes's groundbreaking metaphysics: mind's distinctness from and interaction with body; imagination; perception; and language. Part III examines Cartesian science: the revolutionary rhetoric of the Rules and the Discourse; the metaphysical foundations of physics; the interplay of rationalism and empiricism; the mechanics and human biology that flow from Descartes's physics. These essays by leading Descartes scholars, previously unpublished in English, represent an overview of contemporary research on Descartes' philosophy and science These essays by leading Descartes scholars, previously unpublished in English, represent the best current work on Descartes's philosophy and science.