Understanding Rationalism (Understanding Movements in Modern Thought)

The three great historical philosophers most often associated with rationalism - Descartes, Spinoza and Leibniz - opened up ingenious and breathtaking vistas upon the world. Yet their works are so difficult that readers often find themselves stymied. "Understanding Rationalism" offers a guide for anyone approaching these thinkers for the first time.With clear explanations, elegant examples and insightful summaries, "Understanding Rationalism" unlocks their intricate metaphysical systems, which are by turns surprising, compelling and sometimes bizarre. It also lays out their controversial stances on moral, political and religious problems. The study is framed by an opening discussion of the broad themes and attitudes common to these three philosophers and a closing analysis of the legacy they left for the rest of philosophy. Utilitarianism - a philosophy based on the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people - has been hugely influential over the past two centuries. Beyond ethics or morality, utilitarian assumptions and arguments abound in modern economic and political life, especially in public policy. An understanding of utilitarianism is indeed essential to any understanding of contemporary society.'Understanding Utilitarianism'presents utilitarianism very much as a living tradition. The book begins with a summary of the classical utilitarianism of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Subsequent chapters trace the development of the central themes of utilitarian thought over the twentieth century, covering such questions as: What is happiness? Is happiness the only valuable thing? Is utilitarianism about acts or rules or institutions? Is utilitarianism unjust, or implausibly demanding, or impractical? and Where might utilitarianism go in the future? Utilitarianism - a philosophy based on the principle of the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people - has been hugely influential over the past two centuries. Beyond ethics or morality, utilitarian assumptions and arguments abound in modern economic and political life, especially in public policy. An understanding of utilitarianism is indeed essential to any understanding of contemporary society. ""Understanding Utilitarianism"" presents utilitarianism very much as a living tradition. The book begins with a summary of the classical utilitarianism of the eighteenth and nineteenth c Cover......Page 1 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Abbreviations......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1. Descartes's dualistic world......Page 28 2. Descartes's morals and "The Passions of the Soul"......Page 52 3. Spinoza's one substance......Page 72 4. Spinoza's ethics, politics and religion......Page 96 5. Leibniz's world of monads......Page 118 6. Leibniz's justice and freedom......Page 140 Conclusion......Page 158 Questions for discussion and revision......Page 166 Further reading......Page 170 Bibliography......Page 172 Index......Page 176 Presents the complex philosophical systems of the three great rationalists, Descartes, Leibniz and Spinoza. Tim Mulgan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 187-192) And Index.