Dictionary of Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Dutch Philosophers: Volume I

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The Dictionary of Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Dutch Philosophers covers the 200-year period of the Dutch Republic, when its people experienced a Golden Age in the arts, in sea trade and in philosophy that left a lasting impression on European culture. The Dutch witnessed nothing less than a philosophical revolution, driven to a large extent by the migres from France, Finland, Portugal, Britain, Switzerland, Germany and elsewhere, who provided the Golden Age with its thinkers. As a result of the unique position held by the Netherlands during the period, this dictionary constitutes an anthology of European thought at large. Included are all foreign thinkers (such as Rene Descartes and Pierre Bayle) who exercised a major influence on the philosophical life of the Dutch Republic and who developed their ideas through interaction with other philosophers residing there. Among these resident philosophers, as well as all the well-known figures such as Benedict Spinoza, many lesser-known ones are included. Each entry includes a bibliography listing the subject's major and minor philosophical writings and giving guidance to further reading. A system of cross-references makes it easy for the reader to pursue connections and influences. In addition, the dictionary features entries on Dutch universities, city academies, publishing houses and journals. This work will be of interest to all students and scholars of the period.

Reviews

"The editors define philosophy in the widest possible terms, including scientists and other intellectuals, even influential foreigners (e.g., Descartes, Carl von Linn (Linne) [Linnaeus]). The connecting threads include attacks on and defenses of Cartesian philosophy. The set begins with an introduction, acknowledgements, "How to Use the Dictionary," a list of contributors, and another of illustrations. The entries, alphabetically arranged, include not just persons but institutions of learning and a few important publications. "How to Use the Dictionary" should be read carefully for its explanation of the choices made in establishing forms of names. The illustration section appears at the end of volume 1, the index at the end of volume 2. The individual entries are lucid, and each has a bibliography. The latter include both primary sources and further readings. No effort is made to list English translations, making the dictionary less useful for beginners than for scholars well versed in Dutch thought of the Golden Age. The most famous of the figures covered can be found elsewhere, but second-rank intellectuals will be harder to find outside this set. Summing Up: Recommended. Research libraries." * CHOICE *

Author Bio

Prof Wiep van Bunge is Dean of the Faculteit der Wijsbegeerte at Rotterdam. He was previously Head of the Philosophy Department and has published extensively on Spinoza and Dutch Philosophy.