£42.99
Davidson and Spinoza
Mind, Matter and Morality
Introduction
Baruch Spinoza, a Dutch rationalist philosopher of the 17th century, and Donald Davidson, one of the most distinguished contemporary American analytic philosophers, are two thinkers not usually analysed in conjunction with each other in the philosophical literature. Yet, there are remarkable parallels in their thought.
Topics of Comparison
In this book, Floris van der Burg identifies topics of comparison in the areas of ontology, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of language. After explaining the theory of each philosopher, he examines the parallel themes between Spinoza and Davidsonian theory.
Implications of the Comparison
In the light of this comparison, van der Burg shows that the staunch naturalism of Spinoza, even in the mental realm, should not be abandoned in modern times. Rather, it is exactly what Spinoza lacks in this area—the linguistic turn in philosophy, characterized by Davidson—that allows for his naturalism to be salvaged after 300 years.
Conclusion
Van der Burg's analysis culminates in his paving the way for a Spinozistic ethics for a Davidsonian philosophy.
