iwb's review
4.0
A selection of primary source excerpts with an introduction and useful commentary aimed at the beginner/low intermediate level. Berlin's commentaries are outstanding explanations (for the intended audience) of each thinker's key notions; his explanation of Hume's theory of ideas and the so-called copy principle, as well as "Hume's fork" is one of the best I've ever read. I would highly recommend this little book just for Berlin's discussion of Hume alone, especially if you are just beginning to examine Hume's thought.
While the standard 'big guns' of the period are represented, there are also some obscure thinkers too. The basic ideas of the following thinkers are given in primary source with some commentary: Locke, Berkeley, Voltaire, Hume, Reid, Condillac, Le Mettrie,Haman, and Lichtenberg.
While the standard 'big guns' of the period are represented, there are also some obscure thinkers too. The basic ideas of the following thinkers are given in primary source with some commentary: Locke, Berkeley, Voltaire, Hume, Reid, Condillac, Le Mettrie,Haman, and Lichtenberg.
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