A Companion To Descartes

A collection of more than 30 specially commissioned essays, this volume surveys the work of the 17th-century philosopher-scientist commonly regarded as the founder of modern philosophy, while integrating unique essays detailing the context and impact of his work.

Covers the full range of historical and philosophical perspectives on the work of Descartes
Discusses his seminal contributions to our understanding of skepticism, mind-body dualism, self-knowledge, innate ideas, substance, causality, God, and the nature of animals
Explores the philosophical significance of his contributions to mathematics and science
Concludes with a section on the impact of Descartes's work on subsequent philosophers

Janet Broughton is Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Arts and Humanities at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of Descartes's Method of Doubt (2002).

John Carriero is Professor of Philosophy at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has published widely in early modern philosophy.

Notes on Contributors.

List of Abbreviations.

Introduction.

Part I: The Intellectual Context.

Part II: Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.

Part III: Epistemology and Metaphysics.

Part IV: Descartes's Legacy.

Index