De Botten Van Descartes: Een Beknopte Geschiedenis Van Het Conflict Tussen Geloof En Rede (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
A fascinating look at the enlightenment and it's impact on modern society and belief, using the controversies surrounding the loss and location of Descartes bones to illustrate several different aspects and conflicts that have arisen thanks largely to the initial teachings of the great philosopher himself. The manipulation and deviations from his original thoughts are highlighted here in a clear and detailed manner.This book takes us through the courts of seventeenth century Sweden and France, via the chaos of the French revolution, and right up to the modern 'War on Terror' with it's fundamentalists on all sides. Shorto seems to be highly sympathetic for those who follow Descartes and allow their reason to continue to admit some doubt about mankind's ability to understand everything about the world and self, and 'fundementalist athists' such as Christopher Hitchens come in for as much criticism as any of the early modern thinkers who spent their time trying to defend and maintain Aristotle's views of the world.The story of the bones is itself complex and very interesting, and I loved the quietly sarcastic tone adopted by Shorto at the more ridiculous elements of the the tale. If you are looking for a highly readable and well written look at the central themes of the Enlightenment and the impact these have had on shaping modern society and thought then this is the ideal book to choose. Concise, entertaining and absolutely fascinating. Descartes' Bones is a rather odd book. The main narrative provides a very short bio of Descartes and then a fairly detailed account of his remains. From this primary theme, Shorto routinely diverts us to many side topics that he ties (not always successfully) to Descartes' ideas. These tangents include transubstantiation, phrenology, and the difference (if any) between the brain and mind. Some of these detours are quite interesting, others less so. However, the structure of the book where the reader is constantly shuttling back between the main narrative and side topics is rather jarring. I give it 3 stars for substance, but would give only 2 for form.
What do You think about De Botten Van Descartes: Een Beknopte Geschiedenis Van Het Conflict Tussen Geloof En Rede (2008)?
Interesting read, but the idea of tying it together is a bit of a stretch.
—Lele
Very good overview of Decartes' life and influence. Lots of surprises.
—Bivky
Loved this! Descartes was the man. Seriously.
—christina
