The Adventure of Reason: The Uses of Philosophy in Sociology

(Hardback)

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This book is an introduction to the philosophical ideas of Plato, Rene Descartes, Baruch Spinoza, and Immanuel Kant on the role of reason which have contributed to the evolution of sociological thought. Reason, according to Rickman, has a relevance to sociology that has not been explored. Because he is interested in the philosophical reflections which proved influential for understanding the social world, he deals systematically with the four philosophers' central arguments and one or more of their most important and easily available texts. The book's bibliography lists books quoted and referred to in the text and offers suggestions for further reading in the philosophy of the social sciences.

Reviews

The thought of Wilhelm Dilthey (1833-1911) has become an important force in contemporary Continental and even Anglo-American philosophy. Rickman continues his Dilthey scholarship by stressing "the relevance of Dilthey's thoughts to contemporary concerns," and provides a "general reassessment" of his thinking for contemporary issues. Dilthey's work focused on history and the foundations of the human sciences, and Rickman relates these general areas to students who wish to understand Dilthey's contributions to philosophy, the history of ideas, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and literary criticism. For example, there is an interesting chapter on Dilthey and the Epistemological issues suggested by modern psychiatry and the work of Karl Jaspers. Recommended.-Choice
"The thought of Wilhelm Dilthey (1833-1911) has become an important force in contemporary Continental and even Anglo-American philosophy. Rickman continues his Dilthey scholarship by stressing "the relevance of Dilthey's thoughts to contemporary concerns," and provides a "general reassessment" of his thinking for contemporary issues. Dilthey's work focused on history and the foundations of the human sciences, and Rickman relates these general areas to students who wish to understand Dilthey's contributions to philosophy, the history of ideas, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and literary criticism. For example, there is an interesting chapter on Dilthey and the Epistemological issues suggested by modern psychiatry and the work of Karl Jaspers. Recommended."-Choice

Author Bio

H. P. RICKMAN is a Visiting Professor at the City University, London, England