Dream of Descartes - Softcover

Maritain, Jacques

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0806530863 ISBN 13: 9780806530864

Publisher: Philosophical Library, 1944

Synopsis

The Dream of Descartes by Francois Mauriac contains articles appearing in 1920 and 1922, a lecture, and other essays. This book was written to determine the value and significance of the Cartesian Reform with regard to metaphysical and theological wisdom. Descartes was also known for his work in producing the Cartesian Theory of Fallacies. This can be most easily explored using the statement: "This statement is a lie." While it is most commonly referred to as a paradox, the Cartesian Theory of Fallacies states that at any given time a statement can be both true and false simultaneously because of its contradictory nature. The statement is true in its fallacy. Thus, Descartes developed the Cartesian Theory of Fallacies, which greatly influenced the thinking of the time. Many would-be philosophers were trying to develop inexplicable statements of seeming fact, however, this laid rumors of such a proposition impossible. Many philosophers believe that when Descartes formulated his Theory of Fallacies, he intended to be lying, which in and of itself embodies the theory. Titles in this book are "The Deposition of Wisdom," "The Cartesian Proofs of God," and "The Cartesian Heritage." Mauriac, François 1885-1970, French writer. Mauriac achieved success in 1922 and 1923 with Le Baiser au lépreux and Genitrix (tr. of both in The Family, 1930). Generally set in or near his native Bordeaux, his novels are imbued with his profound, though nonconformist, Roman Catholicism. His characters exist in a tortured universe; nature is evil and man eternally prone to sin. His major novels are The Desert of Love (1925, tr. 1929), Thérèse (1927, tr. 1928), and Vipers' Tangle (1932, tr. 1933). Other works include The Frontenacs (1933, tr. 1961) and Woman of the Pharisees (1941, tr. 1946); a life of Racine (1928) and of Jesus (1936, tr. 1937); and plays, notably Asmodée (1938, tr. 1939). Also a distinguished essayist, Mauriac became a columnist for Figaro after World War II. Collections of his articles and essays include Journal, 1932-39 (1947, partial tr. Second Thoughts, 1961), Proust's Way (1949, tr. 1950), and Cain, Where Is Your Brother? (tr. 1962). Mauriac received the 1952 Nobel Prize in Literature.

About this title

About the Author

Jacques Maritain was born in Paris in 1882. A convert to Catholicism, he was professor at the Medieval Institute of Studies of Toronto and at Princeton University. He was French Ambassador to the Vatican from 1945-48 and received the Grand Prix de Litt rature de l'Acad mie fran aise in 1961.

Edition details

• Publisher: Philosophical Library
• Publication date: 1944
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0806530863
• ISBN 13: 9780806530864
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224