DESCARTES
By S. V. Keeling
This book forms one of the " Leaders of Philosophy " series issued by Messrs. Benn, each of which. deals with one of the great European philosophers and is written by some competent scholar. Intending students of philosophy, however, should be warned that this series is not suited to the beginner. The effort to deal adequately with an important philosopher within the limits of one volume must necessarily result in a high degree of compression ; and the books in this series contain so much " meat " that, unless the reader is well accustomed to such fare, he will find them difficult to digest. Descartes (Benn, 12s. 6d.) is no exception. Mr. Keeling has done best with a subject which, on account of the enormous number of issues it raises, really demands greater space and more leisurely treatment. The book falls into three parts—a description of the historical and intellectual setting in which - Descartes lived, an exposition of his philosophy, and a brief critical history of the Cartesian school. Of these the expository section naturally suffers most from condensation ; but the perspicuity of Mr. Keeling's style has in a great measure over- come this disadvantage. The last section contains an ex- tremely valuable chapter which not only deals with the permanent value of Cartesian philosophy, but discusses .at
• 'some length the position of its critics. It is this chapter which will perhaps be of most interest to scholars.
Previous page
