Rethinking European Modernity: Reason, Power, and Coloniality in Early Modern Thought

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This open access book undertakes a self-critical reinterpretation of European modernity and responds to the need for a global understanding of the development of Western thought. Showcasing contemporary Latin American approaches that align modernity with colonialism, and European theories of modernity, Hans Schelkshorn reassesses the origins of modernity. He brings neglected Renaissance thinkers into the narrative, discussing the work of Nicholas of Cusa, Pico della Mirandola, Francisco de Vitoria, and Michel de Montaigne, and critiquing the views of Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke. Across a series of historical studies, Schelkshorn presents modernity as a complex process. His use of the concept de-limitations (Entgrenzungen) shows how the new idea of an infinite universe and the discovery of the Americas deeply influenced the foundations of modern science, politics and economies in the 17th century. Making a major contribution to scholarship on early modern philosophy, Schelkshorn paves the way for a more cosmopolitan account of European thought. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by Hans Schelkshorn/University of Vienna.

Reviews

Both historically sophisticated and philosophically original, this is an extremely learned book, the product of decades of research, teaching, and engaging in what Schelkshorn calls intercultural philosophy. It weaves a fascinating story about what makes modern philosophy distinctly modern: from Bacon to Montaigne, it tracks the ways in which subjects, spaces, and time were un-bounded and humans were cast against their meagre resources: reason, will, and passion. The readings of writers are supremely elegant, but also focused. The book also brings into the fray the work of Latin American philosophers who have been both critics and defenders of the Enlightenment. * Eduardo Mendieta, Professor of Philosophy and Latina/o Studies, Pennsylvania State University, USA *
Schelkshorns book is an original and well-argued interpretation of basic issues concerning the formation of the modern world. His concept of de-limitation, referring to multiple expansions of human horizons and activities, is a new key to the adventures of early modern thought. The book is essential reading for scholars interested in debates on modernity. * Johann P. Arnason, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, La Trobe University, Australia *

Author Bio

Hans Schelkshorn is Head of the Department of Intercultural Philosophy of Religion at the University of Vienna, Austria.