Modern European History Embodied in the Life and Writings of Notorious Western Philosophers
-
Period: to
The Life of Rene Descartes and "The Discourse on Method" (1637)
French Philosopher and mathematician who provided a mythology for understanding the universe during the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century. The method is coined deductive reasoning. Descartes claims that with this method of deductive reason all of nature and life can be understood by man, from the most simple to the most complex of ideas. Deductive reasoning requires deducing a conclusion from a set of premises and not from scientific observation. -
Period: to
The Life of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and "The Social Contract" (1762)
Born in Geneva, Rousseau plays an essential, if not off-beat, role in the Enlightenment of the 18th century. Choosing to focus his philosophy on emotion and humanity in its instinctual form. This focus however leads him to write a globally influential text, The Social Contract, in which he puts forward a revolutionary, if not utopic version of human society where sovereignty is shared amongst all and the desires of each and all are represented. -
Period: to
The Life of Johann Gottlieb Fichte and "The Science of Knowledge" (1794)
Fichte was a German transcendental idealist whose philosophy concerned itself with the self, the mind and consciousness. His work could be seen as an extension of the theories first given life during the Scientific Revolution, dealing specifically with how we come to know ourselves and world. Moreover, Fichte presented strong positions on human freedom of mind and action that contributed to his support of the French Revolution of 1789. -
Period: to
The Life of Fredrick Engels and "The Principles of Communism" (1847)
Engels published works regarding the conditions for workers during the Industrial Revolution. His examination of the struggles faced by the 19th century working class, the proletariat provides insight on the foundations of the Communist movement and what the movement truly seeks to accomplish and how. In brief Engels states a move to Communism and a democratic state must involve revolution and subsequent control by the proletariat followed by the abolishment of private property. -
Period: to
The Life of Friedrich Nietzsche and "Twilight of the Idols" (1889)
Nietzsche offers the most comprehensive critic of the Enlightenment and reason in modern European history. He embodies the irrational movement which spread across philosophy, psychology and art with the Avant-Garde artists. He hails instinct over reason as being the positive driving force behind humanity and dispels both God and absolute moral systems. -
Period: to
The Life of Edith Stein and "Feminine Vocations" (1930)
Edith Stein, philosopher, teacher, nun and martyr. Stein's philosophy dealt mainly in the study of women as social and religious creatures, examining the woman's soul, formation and vocations. Born Jewish, she grew up atheist and in adulthood joined a Convent where she discovered God, whom she weaved into her philosophy. The sisters of her convent fled from occupied Poland to the Netherlands for safety from the Nazi's when war broke out but were eventually found and executed.