History of Philosophy, Volume 9, Part 2

I'm a student, not a scholar, but I have read all nine of Copleston's volumes, so I understand the scope and style of his writing. This volume covers a very broad range of topics. Not only does it discuss the giants like Comte and Sartre, but it also discusses about a dozen miscellaneous French trends and their proponents. Discussing small-time philosophers is common for Copleston, but this volume is more impressive than usual. I regret that Copleston mentions nothing of Derrida and only references Focault in passing, but one could hardly expect him to wait forever--these philosophers were still developing their outlook in his old age. Also, I noticed several editing overlooks, so many so that I'm mentioning it here. It won't subtract from your overall enjoyment, but it is annyong when encoutered. To start and finish Copleston is an amazing expreience, and I recommend it to any avid amateur in philosophical history.

The ninth volume of focuses mostly on the modern French philosophers. As with most modern thought, there is a general tendency away from vast metaphysical systems. A lot of the themes that were discussed amongst the British and German philosophies such as Phlosophy of Science, idealism, and the bases of ethics are again here. The high prophet of scientific positivism is Auguste Comte, whose committed the common fallacy of thinking that the dawn of the scientific age will remove the need for religion and create a peaceful society. This was rightfully mostly abandoned after the horrors of the second World War and the subsequent atheistic totalitarian regimes that came up afterwards. There was an attack against this sort of radical positivism in the other side by the name of Henri Bergson, who stated instinct taught the real nature of things rather than conceptual thought and the sciences. Bergson emphasized the spiritual parts of knowledge, and attacked determinists as forcing reality into their own conceptual framework. While this reader agrees instinct before language enters though lends the closest view of reality, Bergson didn't seem to understand the need of analytical thought and observation in developing innate instinct, seemingly giving it an almost supernatural quality. The section on the philosophy of Science I wich Copleston would have spent more time on. He never mentions Popper in any of his outlines of Philosophy of Science(knocked down a star for exactly this reason), and there is the problem that he only spends a few pages on each philosopher here, not giving nearly enough time to give a really good overview of their thought. Some of the most interesting, and unintentionally hilarious, parts come from the section on Sartre. He makes it well known his annoyance with Sartre's redicuoulsly obtuse language. His thought is certainly unique, saying consciousness is a nullifying aspect on being on his environment, stating the absolute freedom, and his nihilistic views on ethics. Even though I disagreed with almost everything he has to say, at first glance his thought seemed shockingly rational. It's only when one looks at the way he uses terms and comparing it with ones own experience can one start to see the chinks, and Copleston's criticisms hit the nail on the head in this section. Probably the most pathetic game of semantics this reader has ever seen is Sartre trying to synthesize Marxism and his radical existentialism. Never mind that Marxism and human freedom and about as antithetical as one can come by, it doesn't stop Sartre from playing elaborate word games to justify his political persuasions. While I respect his emphasis on personal responsibility, the politicizing of his philosophy as well as debauchery in his personal life speaks poorly of him. A hard trudge, and very dull at times, but worth the effort to finish.

Copleston's series, "The History of Philosophy", is quite possibly the best introduction to the history of philosophical thought that has ever been published and certainly the best currently in print. You will be hard pressed to find a better collection of solid philosophical surveys in one place. The beauty of the series is that Copleston has clearly done his research on each period and each thinker of Western philosophy. I cannot recommend this series any more highly. It is a must-have collection for anyone who is a scholar (professional or casual) of philosophy, theology or any of the arts. If this isn't on your bookshelf, it should be!

Copelston is one of the pre-emienent thinkers of philosophical history. Every one should read his entire works including this fine volume.