The rise and spectacular fall of the friendship between the two great philosophers of the eighteenth century, barely six months after they first met, reverberated on both sides of the Channel. As the relationship between Jean-Jacques Rousseau and David Hume unravelled, a volley of rancorous letters was fired off, then quickly published and devoured by aristocrats, intellectuals, and common readers, alike. Everyone took sides in this momentous dispute between the greatest of Enlightenment thinkers. In this lively and revealing book, Robert Zaretsky and John T. Scott explore the unfolding rift between Rousseau and Hume. The authors are particularly fascinated by the connection between the thinkers' lives and thought, especially the way that their failure to understand one another (and themselves) illuminates the limits of human understanding. In addition, they situate the philosophers' quarrel in the social, political, and intellectual milieu that informed their actions, as well as the actions of the other participants in the dispute, such as James Boswell, Adam Smith, and Voltaire. By examining the conflict through the prism of each philosopher's contribution to Western thought, Zaretsky and Scott reveal the implications for the two men as individuals and philosophers as well as for the contemporary world, which remains deeply influenced by the Enlightenment.
The Philosophers' Quarrel
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"... one can confidently recommend this book as a user friendly entrée into the world of 18th-century intellectual life."
-- Noel Malcolm, Standpoint, 1st May 2009
"... the light that is shed on the philosophers themselves is illuminating." -- Bookseller, 23rd January 2009
"Entertaining as well as mind-enriching, this is a proper page-turner!" -- Good Book Guide, May 2009
-- Noel Malcolm, Standpoint, 1st May 2009
"... the light that is shed on the philosophers themselves is illuminating." -- Bookseller, 23rd January 2009
"Entertaining as well as mind-enriching, this is a proper page-turner!" -- Good Book Guide, May 2009
Review
"... one can confidently recommend this book as a user friendly entrée into the world of 18th-century intellectual life."
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book touches lightly upon their various philosophies while giving lots of insight into their personalities and lifestyles. Extremely well-written, engaging tales of two somewhat peculiar and privileged lives in the 18thC. Includes glimpses into village life in France, high society in Paris & London, and discussion clubs and characters of the Scottish Enlightenment. One of the most enjoyable books I have come across in a long time.
Format:Paperback
Somewhere between a proper history of Enlightenment philosophy and a contemporary tell-all biography, this book makes for a quite entertaining read. While those familiar with Rousseau's and Hume's respective work might take issue with the terse summaries presented here, these summaries should serve as a decent introduction for beginners and effective background for the clash of personalities that forms the meat of this book.
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent and very readable history of David Hume and JJ Rousseau's fallout. It gives detailed analysis of both sides of the story and how this incredible situation developed and will be of interest to anyone who has interest in the Enlightenment.
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