Revisiting the Early Modern Philosophical Canon

41Citations
Citations of this article
31Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

I reflect critically on the early modern philosophical canon in light of the entrenchment and homogeneity of the lineup of seven core figures: Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. After distinguishing three elements of a philosophical canon - a causal story, a set of core philosophical questions, and a set of distinctively philosophical works - I argue that recent efforts contextualizing the history of philosophy within the history of science subtly shift the central philosophical questions and allow for a greater range of figures to be philosophically central. However, the history of science is but one context in which to situate philosophical works. Looking at the historical context of seventeenth-century philosophy of mind, one that weaves together questions of consciousness, rationality, and education, does more than shift the central questions - it brings new ones to light. It also shows that a range of genres can be properly philosophical and seamlessly diversifies the central philosophers of the period.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Shapiro, L. (2016). Revisiting the Early Modern Philosophical Canon. Journal of the American Philosophical Association. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/apa.2016.27

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free