Pierre Gassendi and the Birth of Early Modern Philosophy

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of the philosophical system of the seventeenth-century philosopher Pierre Gassendi. Gassendi's importance is widely recognized and is essential for understanding early modern philosophers and scientists such as Locke, Leibniz and Newton. Offering a systematic overview of his contributions, LoLordo situates Gassendi's views within the context of sixteenth- and early seventeenth-century natural philosophy as represented by a variety of intellectual traditions, including scholastic Aristotelianism, Renaissance Neo-Platonism, and the emerging mechanical philosophy. LoLordo's work will be essential reading for historians of early modern philosophy and science. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 References to Gassendi's Works......Page 11 Introduction......Page 13 1 Gassendi's Life and Times......Page 19 The Epicurus Project......Page 32 Galileo and the Question of Copernicanism......Page 36 2 Gassendi's Philosophical Opponents......Page 46 Scholastic Aristotelianism......Page 48 Neo-Platonism and the Anima Mundi......Page 56 Descartes and the Meditations......Page 66 3 Skepticism, Perception, and the Truth of the Appearances......Page 72 Gassendi and the Pyrrhonians......Page 74 Reconstructing Epicurean Canonic......Page 76 The Theory of Vision......Page 81 The Objects of Perception......Page 88 4 Cognition, Knowledge, and the Theory of Signs......Page 95 The Origin of Ideas......Page 96 The Quality of Ideas......Page 100 Syllogistic Reasoning......Page 104 Reasoning and the Theory of Signs......Page 106 Space, Place, and Vacuum......Page 112 The Ontology of Space......Page 118 Absolute Space and the Extra-mundane Void......Page 121 The Interstitial Vacuum......Page 124 The Coacervate Void......Page 127 Space and God......Page 131 Time......Page 136 The World......Page 139 6 Atoms and Causes......Page 142 Varieties of Atomism......Page 145 Gassendian Atoms......Page 150 The Weight of Atoms and Their Causal Powers......Page 152 Conservation and Concurrence......Page 157 The Conservation of vis motrix and Atomic Motion......Page 161 7 Bodies and Motion......Page 165 Composite Bodies......Page 166 Texture......Page 169 Natural and Violent Motion......Page 170 Gravity......Page 172 The Textural Explanation of Occult Qualities......Page 179 Motion in Free Fall......Page 181 Uniform and Perpetual Motion......Page 186 Atomic Motion and the Motion of Composite Bodies......Page 192 8 Generation, Life, and the Corporeal Soul......Page 195 The Powers of Souls......Page 196 The Powers of Seeds......Page 198 The Generation of Plants......Page 201 The Generation of Animals......Page 205 The Probability and Significance of Seminal Explanations......Page 211 The Corporeal Soul......Page 214 9 The Metaphysics of Body......Page 220 The Role of Substance......Page 222 Essences or Natures......Page 225 Qualities......Page 229 10 Faith, Reason, and the Immaterial Soul......Page 239 The Immaterial Soul in the Disquisitio......Page 240 The Immaterial Soul in the Syntagma......Page 245 The Immaterial Soul and the Body......Page 249 Knowledge of God......Page 251 Faith and Reason......Page 256 I. Gassendi’s Works......Page 265 II. Other Primary Sources......Page 266 III. Secondary Sources......Page 271 Index......Page 285 This Book Is The First Comprehensive Treatment In English Of The Philosophical System Of The Seventeenth Century Philosopher Pierre Gassendi. Gassendi's Importance Is Widely Recognized And Is Essential For Understanding Early Modern Philosophers And Scientists Such As Locke, Leibniz, And Newton. Offering A Systematic Overview Of His Contributions, Antonia Lolordo Situates Oassendi's Views Within The Context Of Sixteenth And Early Seventeenth Century Natural Philosophy As Represented By A Variety Of Intellectual Traditions, Including Scholastic Aristotelianism, Renaissance Neo-platonism, And The Emerging Mechanical Philosophy. Her Work Will Be Essential Reading For Historians Of Early Modern Philosophy And Science.--jacket. Gassendi's Life And Times -- Gassendi's Philosophical Opponents -- Skepticism, Perception, And The Truth Of The Appearances -- Cognition, Knowledge, And The Theory Of Signs -- Space And Time -- Atoms And Causes -- Bodies And Motion -- Generation, Life, And The Corporeal Soul -- The Metaphysics Of Body -- Faith, Reason, And The Immaterial Soul. Antonia Lolordo. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 253-271) And Index.