This rich survey is a very successful attempt to make the history of modern philosophy cogent and intelligible to the common reader. Dr. Scruton sets out to clarify the principal metaphysical, ethical and political attitudes of post-medieval philosophy, while maintaining a contemporary point of view on each of the major figures discussed. The issues discussed by Descartes and his successors are not closed and modern thinking can only benefit from acquaintance with their methods and arguments. N one contemporary school predominates in this history, all are treated fairly.
Editorial Reviews
"Dr. Scruton writes with an unusual clarity and fluency, and is always a pleasure to read...this is certainly a book which you could give to anyone who was curious about philosophy and expect them to learn a lot from it." --Alan Ryan, Times Educational Supplement
"A Short History of Modern Philosophy could hardly be done much better than Dr. Scruton has done it." --Gordon Graham
About the Author
Roger Scruton (1944-2020) was a writer with interests in many fields, including music, literature, the fine arts, architecture and politics. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge and was a Reader in Philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is the author of The Meaning of Conservatism (Penguin 1980).
