- 248 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About This Book
How a famous painting opens a window into the life, times, and philosophy of RenĂ© Descartes In the Louvre museum hangs a portrait that is considered the iconic image of RenĂ© Descartes, the great seventeenth-century French philosopher. And the painter of the work? The Dutch master Frans Halsâor so it was long believed, until the work was downgraded to a copy of an original. But where is the authentic version, and who painted it? Is the man in the paintingâand in its originalâreally Descartes?A unique combination of philosophy, biography, and art history, The Philosopher, the Priest, and the Painter investigates the remarkable individuals and circumstances behind a small portrait. Through this imageâand the intersecting lives of a brilliant philosopher, a Catholic priest, and a gifted painterâSteven Nadler opens a fascinating portal into Descartes's life and times, skillfully presenting an accessible introduction to Descartes's philosophical and scientific ideas, and an illuminating tour of the volatile political and religious environment of the Dutch Golden Age. As Nadler shows, Descartes's innovative ideas about the world, about human nature and knowledge, and about philosophy itself, stirred great controversy. Philosophical and theological critics vigorously opposed his views, and civil and ecclesiastic authorities condemned his writings. Nevertheless, Descartes's thought came to dominate the philosophical world of the period, and can rightly be called the philosophy of the seventeenth century.Shedding light on a well-known image, The Philosopher, the Priest, and the Painter offers an engaging exploration of a celebrated philosopher's world and work.
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Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication Page
- Contents
- Illustrations
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter 1: Prologue: A Tale of Two Paintings
- Chapter 2: The Philosopher
- Chapter 3: The Priest
- Chapter 4: The Painter
- Chapter 5: âOnce in a Lifetimeâ
- Chapter 6: A New Philosophy
- Chapter 7: God in Haarlem
- Chapter 8: The Portrait
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index