The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: 1


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These two 1985 volumes provide a translation of the philosophical works of Descartes, based on the best available Latin and French texts. They are intended to replace the only reasonably comprehensive selection of his works in English, by Haldane and Ross, first published in 1911. All the works included in that edition are translated here, together with a number of additional texts crucial for an understanding of Cartesian philosophy, including important material from Descartes' scientific writings. The result should meet the widespread demand for an accurate and authoritative edition of Descartes' philosophical writings in clear and readable modern English.The Philosophical Writings of Descartes: 1 Review
This "new" (1985) translation by Cottingham, Stoothoff, and Murdoch is a valuable addition to the library of anyone interested in the history of philosophy, early modern thought, or the history of the subject. I've never been the biggest fan of Descartes' philosophies, but CSM do a wonderful job of compiling his philosophical works into 2 volumes. It is hard to overestimate the importance of Descartes' thought, and this has some of his key works, including the famous "Discourse on the Method." It also has some really interesting texts with which I was not familiar: the "Rules for the Direction of the Mind" and "Principles of Philosophy." My personal favorite of Descartes, "Meditations on First Philosophy," appears in Volume 2, which I have recently ordered.CSM's translations are quite readable, and while I wish they had more critical work (very few explanatory footnotes, and the prefaces are concerned solely with textual history), I can understand why they left it out -- they are tackling a big enough subject without going to the effort to try to compile footnotes. Buyers should take the title very seriously -- this is only the PHILOSOPHICAL writings of Descartes, with only a smattering of his scientific and mathematical texts. I believe that there is still no complete translation of all of Descartes works into English, but from what you can get out this and the 2 other volumes by CSM (vol. 3 has correspondence), you can become extremely well versed in Rene's work. Only those people who devote their entire academic careers to Descartes and French philosophy need look at the 13-volume complete works in French, which is the way such people should read it anyway. This is suitable for, I think, even the serious philosopher.
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