Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes and the Rationalists

by James D. Reid

From the 17th to 18th centuries, bold thinkers cast off the authority of ancient traditions and embraced reason as the primary tool for understanding the world. These rationalists, or early modern philosophers, included René Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz—visionaries whose answers to profound questions remain relevant today.

Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes and the Rationalists covers the key philosophers of this period in 12 fascinating half-hour lectures, presented by award-winning teacher James D. Reid, Professor of Philosophy at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

The rationalists addressed momentous questions such as: What can we know for certain? Are we truly free? Is there a God or a higher power? In addition to Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, this course also covers Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia, Lady Anne Conway, and Nicolas Malebranche, who each contributed unique perspectives on mind-body interaction, the nature of substance, and the role of God in human understanding.

It is no accident that early modern philosophy developed in tandem with the Scientific Revolution, spearheaded by Kepler and Galileo, among others. Together, the two movements laid the foundation for a fully modern world, guided by reason, systematic inquiry, empirical evidence, and a growing secular view of the universe that emphasizes human autonomy. As a result, taking this course is like witnessing the birth of the modern mind.

Professor Reid shows how the rationalists serve as a bridge between the Scholasticism of the late Middle Ages and philosophers of the 18th-century Enlightenment, including David Hume, Immanuel Kant, John Locke, and Voltaire. Their influence also extends to 19th and 20th centuries, with Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and other renowned thinkers.

Genres: Philosophy, Audiobook

Audiobook

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Alex Shrugged]

The publisher's description is reasonable. I'm not sure I learned more. I already had a college course in philosophy. I have a better opinion of Spinoza, and I understand Descartes a little better. Generally I think philosophy is valuable, and I might listen to this audio course again someday.

[Shawn]

This course is a very good introduction and overview of the rationalist tradition in early modern philosophy. The lecturer finds the right balance of explaining the ideas, providing the historical and philosophical context, and making it relevant. As a general level course, subject matter experts won't get too much out of this, but those new to early modern philosophy or looking for a refresher (like me) will find it useful.

The course covers, as one would expect, Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz; but also Anne Conway, Elisabeth of Bohemia, and Malebranche. Typically, the focus in early modern philosophy texts is on metaphysics and epistemology, but I appreciated that Reid includes these thinker's moral theories as well. They were not just interested in knowledge -- they were also interested how this knowledge can and should effect the way act and live.

[عدنان العبار]

Interesting set of lecture notes, but short enough to leave much to be desired. I loved the sections on Descartes and Leibniz, and found the other sections less satisfying. I wish more were included than the very few here. And I wish Professor Reid expanded more on the philosophers he discussed, at least.

[Juliette]

Rating : 4 ⭐
This was a really good introduction to the subject. I had already read some of these philosophers in school, but I enjoyed learning about other thinkers I didn't know about.

[Kevin Sheth]

Good overview of what these early modern rationalists thought but very little opinion or analysis which would have been more interesting.

[CC]

Would have liked more Descartes