Title
Descartes: An Intellectual Biography,New
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Ren Descartes's insights into the nature of knowledge and the mind have inspired awe and debate through the centuries. But while philosophers have sought to understand the ramifications of his theories, they have paid much less attention to how, exactly, he arrived at his ideas. What twists and turns of his intellect brought him to his epochal conclusions? How did his personal ambitions and the social conditions of his era shape his thought? These questions and more are masterfully answered in Stephen Gaukroger's Descartes, a fascinating look at this most influential of all Renaissance thinkers.In his quest to retrace Descartes's development as a scientist and philosopher, Gaukroger leaves no stone unturned. From the great man's first book on music theory (Compendium Musicae) to his masterworks Discours, Essais, Meditationes, and Principia, from his study of mathematics while attending a Jesuit college at age ten, through his dying days in the service of Christina, Queen of Sweden, Descartes brims with penetrating and often surprising insights into the philosopher's life and work. We discover, for example, that he wasn't as concerned with developing an allencompassing theory of knowledge as he was with establishing a natural philosophy that supported the teachings of Copernicus, a man whose work he deeply admired. We also learn that Descartes was willing to alter his publicly stated views to accommodate church doctrineespecially after witnessing Galileo's condemnation in 1633. We observe how his personal triumphs and failuresfrom his rumored nervous breakdown in 1614, to his joy at the popular reception of Discours and Essais, to his protracted and very public dispute with the implacable professor Voetiusaffected his intellectual development. Along the way, Gaukroger details how Descartes's theories of metaphysics, mechanics, cognition, and cosmology have been both championed and distorted by philosophers of all stripes for over three hundred years. Packed with helpful diagrams and indepth interpretations of Descartes's most celebrated works, the book also includes a useful chronology that highlights his important accomplishments and personal milestones.Descartes is an exhaustively detailed, magisterial look at the dazzling intellectual achievements of the father of modern philosophy. Splendidly written by a renowned authority on the subject, it will serve as the definitive guide to Descartes's thoughts, works, and life for years to come.
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We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
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We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Descartes: An Intellectual Biography'? A: The main theme of the book is to explore how René Descartes developed his ideas and theories, focusing on his intellectual journey and the influences of his personal ambitions and the social conditions of his time.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The book is authored by Stephen Gaukroger, a renowned authority on the subject of Descartes and philosophy.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 520 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of Descartes's life and work.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The book is available in hardcover binding, which offers durability and a premium feel.
- Q: When was 'Descartes: An Intellectual Biography' published? A: The book was published on May 25, 1995.
- Q: Does the book include diagrams or illustrations? A: Yes, the book is packed with helpful diagrams that aid in understanding Descartes's most celebrated works.
- Q: What kind of insights does the book provide about Descartes? A: The book provides penetrating insights into Descartes's theories of metaphysics, mechanics, cognition, and cosmology, and discusses how these have been interpreted over the centuries.
- Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in philosophy? A: Yes, the book is written in an accessible manner, making it suitable for both beginners and those familiar with philosophical concepts.
- Q: What notable events in Descartes's life are covered in the book? A: The book covers significant events such as Descartes's education, his first book on music theory, and his interactions with figures like Galileo and Christina, Queen of Sweden.
- Q: What type of reader would benefit from this biography? A: Readers interested in philosophy, the history of science, and those wanting to understand the development of modern thought will find this biography particularly beneficial.