Part of the Blackwell Readings in the History of Philosophy series, this survey of early modern philosophy focuses
on the key texts and philosophers of the period whose beliefs changed the course of western thought.
Assembles the key texts from the most significant and influential philosophers of the early modern era to provide
a thorough introduction to the period.
Features the writings of the major philosophical, scientific, and political thinkers of the time, including
Descartes, Hobbes, Leibniz and Spinoza.
Focuses on the development and growth of Rationalism which stressed reason, logic, and experimentation in the
pursuit of truth.
Readings are accompanied by expert commentary from the editors, who are leading scholars in the field.
Table of Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
General Introduction
Part I: Science, Skepticism, and Religion
Introduction
1. The Apology for Raymond Sebond: Michel de Montaigne
2. The New Organon: Francis Bacon
3. Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina and The Assayer: Galileo Galilei
4. Discourse on the Method of Rightly Conducting the Reason and Seeking for Truth in the Sciences: René
Descartes
5. Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes
6. Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy: Isaac Newton
Part II: Descartes and his Critics
Introduction
7. The Meditations on First Philosophy: René Descartes
8. The Second Set of Objections with Replies by Descartes: collected by Marin Mersenne
9. The Third Set of Objections with Replies by Descartes: Thomas Hobbes
10. The Fourth Set of Objections with Replies by Descartes: Antoine Arnauld
11. The Fifth Set of Objections with Replies by Descartes: Pierre Gassendi
12. Letters to and from Princess Elizabeth of Bohemia
13. Pensées: Blaise Pascal
Part III: Rationalism
Introduction
14. The Ethics: Benedict Spinoza
15. The Search After Truth: Nicolas Malebranche
16. Discourse on Metaphysics: G. W. F. Leibniz
17. The Theodicy: Abridgement of the Argument: G. W. F. Leibniz
18. The Monadology: G. W. F. Leibniz
Part IV: Political Philosophy
Introduction
19. The Prince: Niccolò Machiavelli
20. Leviathan: Thomas Hobbes
21. On the Duty of Man and Citizen: Samuel Pufendorf
