Intended as an introduction to ethics, this book examines four main problems: obligation, moral value, intrinsic goods and the justification of moral judgments. Frankena's approach to each problem is to examine critically the main types of theory and then develop his own position. Of particular interest is his discussion of the meaning and justification of moral judgments; while joining recent English thought in holding that a non-descriptivist position does not imply the impossibility of sensible discussion of normative problems, Frankena suggests (...) that this need not necessitate even an ultimate relativism, since broad standards of rationality may be applied in cases of conflict. By approaching ethics through types of ethical theory rather than concrete examples, and because of the great variety of subjects discussed within this brief compass, a necessary over-simplification and superficiality results which may inhibit the beginning student from developing his own thinking. A more selective approach might have been both less confusing and more stimulating.--A. F. G. (shrink)

Using twelve modern philosophers as moments in a rather contrived dialectic, Kiley examines man's relation to himself and to the world. While showing the many "possibilities of human existence," he suggests that "human completion" can only be achieved through the religious experience.—A. F. G.

Five essays concerned primarily with Dewey's philosophy of education and its influence. Taking up half of the volume is Williams Brickman's thoroughly documented study of the rise and decline of Dewey's sympathies with the Soviet Union and the varying treatment his educational theories received there. George Axtelle surveys Dewey's philosophy, which he sees as expressing "the genius of American civilization" and showing directions for its future development. Dewey's reliance on the "civilizational functions" of education as the major tool for developing (...) a sound democratic society is emphasized by John Childs. Brief essays on Dewey's influence on American educators and an early proposal to teach psychology in high school fill out the collection.—A. F. G. (shrink)

This essay eloquently supports the thesis that great dramatic works are necessarily reinterpreted by each generation in its own terms. This transformation, however, is not a destruction; the eternal truths of a great work remain although understood in contemporary terms. This process implies the impossibility of completely comprehending any work as it was originally intended.—A. F. G.

This collection of Kant's writings on the philosophy of history includes, besides the well-known "What is Enlightenment?" and "Perpetual Peace," several other essays from his critical period. Most are newly translated. Together they give a reasonably complete picture of Kant's views on history, which he never presented in systematic form. The result is valuable in showing how widely Kant applied some of the central principles of the Critiques, as well as the close relationship of his ideas to other Enlightenment thinkers. (...) The editor provides a useful introduction.--A. F. G. (shrink)

This volume contains the Dialogues, The Natural History of Religion, and several short essays and selections from other works. The selection is a good one, but the editor's introduction does little to explicate the principles upon which Hume's writings on religion are based or to connect them with his other philosophical work.—A. F. G.

Friedman characterizes modern man as alienated and problematic, an exile and a rebel. The Modern Promethean and the Modern Job are the typical responses to this situation. These categories are central to Friedman's "depth-image" of modern man and he attempts to give them concrete meaning through intensive examination of the writings of Melville, Dostoievsky, Kafka and Camus. The analysis tends to be repetitious and often too detailed to have clear relevance to the author's main theme.—A. F. G.

Contains three lectures on vaguely related topics. John Cogley outlines the sources of religious conflict in the United States. Holding that the First Amendment was intended not to discourage religion but to promote religious liberty, he develops principles for the solution of problems of Church-State relations. Paul Weiss discusses the more theoretical problem of the relationship of natural and supernatural law. Natural law derives from a common good relative to a particular group, and is strictly utilitarian. Reference to a supernatural (...) or divinely given good is necessary to adjudicate between and order the differing and possibly conflicting common goods of different groups, and to provide for ethical laws that transcend utilitarian considerations. John Wu sees the main prerequisite of a future world democracy as a meeting of the insights and cultures of the East and West.--A. F. G. (shrink)

Cassirer rejects Burckhardt's thesis that there is a radical separation between the theory and practice of the Renaissance, and that Renaissance philosophy is merely a survival of the Middle Ages, containing none of the new tendencies of the period. Nor does he see a sharp break between Renaissance and medieval thought. Instead, Cassirer traces the "close interplay between religion, philosophy, and humanism" in Renaissance thought, and the gradual emergence of a new view of man. Underlying the astonishing variety of philosophies (...) in this period, he uncovers certain common tendencies. Starting with Cusanus, the key transition figure in the shift from medieval patterns of thought, Cassirer traces the rise of new conceptions of knowledge, science, freedom and humanity.--A. F. G. (shrink)

This volume forms a part of the Great American Thinkers Series and is intended for the general reader. It is largely devoted to a highly readable biography of Jefferson in which main emphasis is placed on his political activities and ideas, and their influence upon the development of the United States. A separate essay at the end gives the outlines of Jefferson's thought, relating it to the contemporary ideas of the enlightenment, and tracing its sources to those thinkers whom Jefferson (...) most admired, Bacon, Newton, Locke, and Epicurus. In discussing these figures, the author exhibits an unfortunate tendency towards facile and occasionally incorrect generalizations.—A. F. G. (shrink)

This study centers on Hume's discussion of the relation of reason and the passions in Book III, Part I, section I of the Treatise and related passages. Hume's central arguments are carefully laid out and are found to rest on unwarranted premisses. Making use of the distinctions suggested by Baier, Ryle, and other modern writers, Broiles questions Hume's thesis that reason plays no direct role in ethics, and further suggests that a failure to distinguish explanatory or exciting reasons from justifying (...) reasons leads Hume to an incorrect conception of the nature of motives. Hume's relation to the earlier British moralists is also treated, and the famous "is-ought" passage is given a fresh interpretation.—A. F. G. (shrink)

This large anthology offers a well-chosen selection of writings on defining the good, the free-will problem, ethical method, and political and social implications of ethics. Of special interest is the inclusion of four relevant articles by social scientists. Editorial material is brief but useful and the selections are of ample length, several complete works being included.—A. F. G.

This volume contains the Dialogues, The Natural History of Religion, and several short essays and selections from other works. The selection is a good one, but the editor's introduction does little to explicate the principles upon which Hume's writings on religion are based or to connect them with his other philosophical work.—A. F. G.

This collection of Kant's writings on the philosophy of history includes, besides the well-known "What is Enlightenment?" and "Perpetual Peace," several other essays from his critical period. Most are newly translated. Together they give a reasonably complete picture of Kant's views on history, which he never presented in systematic form. The result is valuable in showing how widely Kant applied some of the central principles of the Critiques, as well as the close relationship of his ideas to other Enlightenment thinkers. (...) The editor provides a useful introduction.--A. F. G. (shrink)