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The Philosophers' Quarrel

In 1766 David Hume was instrumental in find Jean-Jacques Rousseau a place to live in Britain, freeing him from the persecution he had faced on the Continent. One might have expected a lifetime of gratitude for this action, but in fact things turned out rather differently. In The Philosophers' Quarrel: Rousseau, Hume, and the Limits of Human Understanding Robert Zaretsky and John T Scott tell the story.

The book describes the lives of Hume and Rousseau, telling of a few others such as Voltaire and Boswell along the way. Hume became a significant figure in European intellectual circles, Rousseau was constantly searching for a way to live the simple life, but seemed to be very good at getting on the wrong side of people. When Hume helped Rousseau to safe refuge, Rousseau seemed to think that it was a conspiracy to hide him away. Hume naturally wanted to tell his side of the story, and so a long standing feud was started.

I felt that the book could have done with an extra chapter, looking at the wider picture. A look at the longer term influence of the works of Hume and Rousseau would be one possibility, another would be a discussion on whether Rousseau's ideas were really untenable. But those are just my ideas on how the book could be rounded off. As it is the book gives an interesting glimpse into the mindsets of two influential philosopher, and a readable introduction to the intellectual life of the Eighteenth century.

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Hardcover 264 pages
ISBN: 0300121938
Salesrank: 229209
Weight:1.15 lbs

Published: 2009 Yale University Press

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Amazon.co.uk info

Hardcover 264 pages
ISBN: 0300121938
Salesrank: 778038
Weight:1.15 lbs

Published: 2009 Yale University Press

Amazon price £19.00

Marketplace:New from £12.10:Used from £11.50

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Amazon.ca info

Hardcover 264 pages
ISBN: 0300121938
Salesrank: 255108
Weight:1.15 lbs

Published: 2009 Yale University Press

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Marketplace:New from CDN$ 17.99:Used from CDN$ 12.83

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Product Description
The rise and spectacular fall of the friendship between the two great philosophers of the eighteenth century, barely six months after they first met, reverberated on both sides of the Channel. As the relationship between Jean-Jacques Rousseau and David Hume unraveled, a volley of rancorous letters was fired off, then quickly published and devoured by aristocrats, intellectuals, and common readers alike. Everyone took sides in this momentous dispute between the greatest of Enlightenment thinkers. In this lively and revealing book, Robert Zaretsky and John T. Scott explore the unfolding rift between Rousseau and Hume. The authors are particularly fascinated by the connection between the thinkers’ lives and thought, especially the way that the failure of each to understand the otherand himselfilluminates the limits of human understanding. In addition, they situate the philosophers’ quarrel in the social, political, and intellectual milieu that informed their actions, as well as the actions of the other participants in the dispute, such as James Boswell, Adam Smith, and Voltaire. By examining the conflict through the prism of each philosopher’s contribution to Western thought, Zaretsky and Scott reveal the implications for the two men as individuals and philosophers as well as for the contemporary world. (20090301)

Product Description

The rise and spectacular fall of the friendship between the two great philosophers of the eighteenth century, barely six months after they first met, reverberated on both sides of the Channel. As the relationship between Jean-Jacques Rousseau and David Hume unraveled, a volley of rancorous letters was fired off, then quickly published and devoured by aristocrats, intellectuals, and common readers alike. Everyone took sides in this momentous dispute between the greatest of Enlightenment thinkers.

In this lively and revealing book, Robert Zaretsky and John T. Scott explore the unfolding rift between Rousseau and Hume. The authors are particularly fascinated by the connection between the thinkers’ lives and thought, especially the way that the failure of each to understand the otherand himselfilluminates the limits of human understanding. In addition, they situate the philosophers’ quarrel in the social, political, and intellectual milieu that informed their actions, as well as the actions of the other participants in the dispute, such as James Boswell, Adam Smith, and Voltaire. By examining the conflict through the prism of each philosopher’s contribution to Western thought, Zaretsky and Scott reveal the implications for the two men as individuals and philosophers as well as for the contemporary world.

(20090301)

Warts and all ****
A bit disappointing, this one. In describing the falling-out between Hume and Rousseau, the emphasis is not so much on the limits of human understanding, as its subtitle promises, but more on personal differences. The reader gets a good idea of the amiable Hume trying his best to support the hypersensitive Rousseau, or Old Ross Hall as the locals in northern England used to call him. There are some nice scenes depicting Rousseau in his Armenian coat walking his beloved dog Sultan and a hilarious account of him visiting the theatre attended by King George lll and an unruly audience, all anxious to get a glimpse of the famous philosopher. We also get a taste of the acuity and pettiness of "the skeletal genius" Voltaire, who from the sidelines follows and comments on the developments. In a painting by Jean Huber, he is seen getting out of bed while dictating a letter to his secretary, no doubt blackening the reputation of his arch-enemy Rousseau. Sometimes the stories in The Philosophers' Quarrel amount to little more than gossip. The famous visit of James Boswell at Hume's deathbed is included, where one wonders about the relevance of how many times Boswell had caught a venereal disease. In an earlier instance, we're also informed he couldn't properly "perform". All in all, a pleasant read. The philosophers are rendered lifelike, warts and all, but with more of a weekly magazine feel to it than one would perhaps have expected from the two stern-looking professors gazing at you on the back flap.

Warts and all ****

A bit disappointing, this one. In describing the falling-out between Hume and Rousseau, the emphasis is not so much on the limits of human understanding, as its subtitle promises, but more on personal differences. The reader gets a good idea of the amiable Hume trying his best to support the hypersensitive Rousseau, or Old Ross Hall as the locals in northern England used to call him. There are some nice scenes depicting Rousseau in his Armenian coat walking his beloved dog Sultan and a hilarious account of him visiting the theatre attended by King George lll and an unruly audience, all anxious to get a glimpse of the famous philosopher.
We also get a taste of the acuity and pettiness of "the skeletal genius" Voltaire, who from the sidelines follows and comments on the developments. In a painting by Jean Huber, he is seen getting out of bed while dictating a letter to his secretary, no doubt blackening the reputation of his arch-enemy Rousseau. Sometimes the stories in The Philosophers' Quarrel amount to little more than gossip. The famous visit of James Boswell at Hume's deathbed is included, where one wonders about the relevance of how many times Boswell had caught a venereal disease. In an earlier instance, we're also informed he couldn't properly "perform".
All in all, a pleasant read. The philosophers are rendered lifelike, warts and all, but with more of a weekly magazine feel to it than one would perhaps have expected from the two stern-looking professors gazing at you on the back flap.

a page turner *****
This was definitely a page turner and a wonderful compendium of many things philosophical and cultural of this era in Europe. The quarrel between these lionized philosophers had much of the public's attention, not to mention the attention of heads of state and fellow philosophers. This is something that may be a little hard to imagine in our day and time, a philosopher's quarrel! Who might our contemporary philosophers be, and what would be the quarrel that would have such consequences. There is much to learn and be reminded of here, and a very enjoyable read along the way.

a page turner *****

This was definitely a page turner and a wonderful compendium of many things philosophical and cultural of this era in Europe. The quarrel between these lionized philosophers had much of the public's attention, not to mention the attention of heads of state and fellow philosophers. This is something that may be a little hard to imagine in our day and time, a philosopher's quarrel! Who might our contemporary philosophers be, and what would be the quarrel that would have such consequences.
There is much to learn and be reminded of here, and a very enjoyable read along the way.

Cracking good read *****
This book touches lightly upon their various philosophies while giving lots of insight into their personalities and lifestyles. Extremely well-written, engaging tales of two somewhat peculiar and privileged lives in the 18thC. Includes glimpses into village life in France, high society in Paris & London, and discussion clubs and characters of the Scottish Enlightenment. One of the most enjoyable books I have come across in a long time.

Cracking good read *****

This book touches lightly upon their various philosophies while giving lots of insight into their personalities and lifestyles. Extremely well-written, engaging tales of two somewhat peculiar and privileged lives in the 18thC. Includes glimpses into village life in France, high society in Paris & London, and discussion clubs and characters of the Scottish Enlightenment. One of the most enjoyable books I have come across in a long time.