Locke

Beschreibung

John Locke (1632-1704) has a good claim to the title of thegreatest ever English philosopher, and was a founding father ofboth the empiricist tradition in philosophy and the liberaltradition in politics. This new book provides an accessibleintroduction to Locke's thought. Although its primary focusis on the Essay Concerning Human Understanding, it also discussesthe Two Treatises on Government, the Essay on Toleration, and theReasonableness of Christianity, and draws on materials fromLocke's correspondence and notebooks to shed light on thecontexts of these major works. Locke's arguments for hiscentral claims are subjected to close scrutiny, and his replies tohis main critics evaluated. A.J. Pyle takes as his guiding theme Locke's own maxim, thatGod has given humans enough knowledge for our needs. Thephilosopher who emerges from these pages is a strikingly modernfigure, anti-metaphysical in his attitude both to science and totheology, anti-authoritarian in his politics, and cautiouslyoptimistic about human progress. Locke is indeed one of thefounding figures of the Enlightenment, but for Pyle the LockeanEnlightenment is a modest affair of slow and hesitant gropingtowards the light. As well as serving as an introduction to Locke for students, thebook also helps to correct a number of significant errors andmisunderstandings that have marred our understanding of Locke andwill spark discussion and debate amongst scholars of his work.

Autor*in

A. J. Pyle

Themen in »Locke«

17th & 18th Century Philosophy Philosophie Philosophie des 17. u. 18. Jhd. Philosophy Political & Economic Philosophy Political Philosophy & Theory Political Science Politikwissenschaft Politische Philosophie u. Politiktheorie Politische u. Ökonomische Philosophie

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"A really superb introduction to Locke's work. It is highlyrecommended both for students and scholars of early modernphilosophy, not least because of the refreshingly coherent andunified picture it presents of the thought one of England's'premier league' philosophers." Metascience "This book is an excellent commentary on the major areas ofLocke's philosophy. It is informed with a deep respect forthe complexity of Locke's thought and a wide reading in thesophisticated contemporary literature, both on Locke and morewidely." John Rogers, Keele University "A superb introduction to the philosophy of John Locke. It isbalanced and insightful in its interpretations and displays a keengrasp of the whole sweep of Locke's philosophy. While thereis much here for the scholar, this book is just the right lengthand pitch for an undergraduate student text." Peter Anstey, University of Otago, New Zealand "A. J. Pyle has written an excellent book on the philosophy of JohnLocke. It is thorough, scholarly, historically informed, lucidlywritten, provocative and engaging. It leads the reader throughthorny and conceptually difficult material with an effortlessfluidity that neither sacrifices precision nor loses the reader inminutiae. This volume should be of interest to undergraduates,graduate students and non-specialists who are interested in Lockeand his contribution to Western philosophy. I highly recommendit." Jan-Erik Jones, Southern Virginia University
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