The eighteenth-century background: studies on the idea of nature in the thought of the period

by Basil Willey

A WAY IN TO 18TH CENTURY THOUGHT, TO SHAFTESBURY, BUTLER, SWIFT, NARTLEY, HOLBACH AND PRIESTLEY. HOW NATURE LED TO THE ROMANTIC REVIVAL. THE CONCEPT OF RELIGION, ETHICS, SCIENCE AND POLITICS.

Genres: History, Philosophy, Nonfiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1941

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is nature? What is the "nature of man?" These are not the same question. Nature may be the world of growth guided by an unseen intelligence or force, the trees, the bugs, the weather systems. But nature can also be the mentality or disposition of mankind, and this can be complex and intricate. Is the nature of man the will to survive and/or conquer, or to be subjected to the acceptance of deterministic forces of history. The 18th century philosophers wrestled with all of these ideas and more.

[Hagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good critical refernce book about the 18th century in Englad, putting literature in historical and social context!