A New History of Philosophy, Volume II: From Descartes to Searle (New History of Philosophy

by Wallace I. Matson

This two volume series introduces the fascinating story of philosophy in a lucid, readable style students enjoy reading. Incorporating the most current scholarship, Matson integrates philosophy into the scientific, political, religious, and social context of different periods. The two volumes can be used as a core text or as a supplement to primary source readings.

Genres: Philosophy

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 1999

Reviews

[William Guerrant]

This is a fine, well-written introduction to the sweep of philosophy from DeCartes to Searle (I have the later edition) and as such I have no trouble recommending it. But it is important to keep in mind that the author is a philosopher, not an historian--and that the history of philosophy differs from the philosophy of history. So, I have some disagreements/quibbles. For example (and I could have chosen others), his negative opinion of Locke is so obvious as to destroy any pretense to an objective history, and his treatment of Spinoza borders on hagiography. As long as the reader is careful to distinguish the author's opinions from the historical facts, then this is not a significant problem.

Potential readers should note that in this book there is no mention at all of postmodernism (or Peter Singer)--which shows how much the philosophical landscape has changed in the last 30 years.