The political philosophy of Fénelon /

"Fénelon is arguably the most neglected of all the major philosophers of early modernity. His political masterwork was the most-read book in eighteenth-century France after the Bible, yet to now we have lacked a single interpretive monograph in English devoted specifically to his thought. This...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hanley, Ryan Patrick, 1974- (Author)
Published: Oxford University Press,
Publisher Address: New York, NY :
Publication Dates: [2020]
Literature type: Book
Language: English
Subjects:
Summary: "Fénelon is arguably the most neglected of all the major philosophers of early modernity. His political masterwork was the most-read book in eighteenth-century France after the Bible, yet to now we have lacked a single interpretive monograph in English devoted specifically to his thought. This monograph aims to correct this by providing the first such book-length study. In focusing specifically on Fénelon's political thought, it has three primary aims. The first is to provide a reconstruction of Fénelon's political ideas accessible to those who might be encountering Fénelon directly or at length for the first time. The second is to demonstrate the connections between Fénelon's political thought and several other fields to which he made significant and long-recognized contributions, including not only philosophy and political science but also economics, education, literature, theology, and spirituality. Third, the book aims to cut several new edges in our extant understanding and appreciation of Fénelon's political thought and its significance. On this front, it specifically argues that Fénelon is better understood as a moderate and modern thinker rather than as a radical or reactionary, and that Fénelon deserves to be seen not merely as a political thinker but as a political philosopher. Finally, The Political Philosophy of Fénelon argues for Fénelon's relevance to our political world today. Fénelon was a nuanced and insightful diagnostician of ills from egocentrism and social atomism to authoritarianism and imperialism, and our understanding of these phenomena so familiar to us today can benefit from attending to his insights"--
Carrier Form: xiii, 306 pages ; 25 cm
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 9780190079635
0190079630
Index Number: PQ1796
CLC: D095.654.1
Call Number: D095.654.1/H241
Contents: Prudence, or on education -- Moderation, or on economics -- Courage, or on war -- Justice, or on statesmanship -- Faith, or on religion -- Hope, or on theology -- Love, or on the best life.