The Discourse of Enlightenment: Diderot and the Art of Philosophizing: 42 (Cambridge Studies in French, Series Number 42) - Softcover

Brewer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521032210 ISBN 13: 9780521032216

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2008

Synopsis

This study explores the problems faced by writers of the Enlightenment, who attempted to demystify all previous forms of knowledge by applying rationalist critiques that can in turn be applied to examine their own critical work. It focuses on the works of one of the best-known writers of eighteenth-century France, Denis Diderot, analysing his experimentation with presenting critical knowledge. Paying close attention to the formal-poetic nature of Diderot's writing, his 'art', it examines the interplay between critical knowledge and its representation, between epistemology and aesthetics. Professor Brewer shows how Diderot's work in the areas of philosophy, science, the fine arts and literature pushed Enlightenment critique to its limits, and points to its remarkable similarity to aspects of modern critical theory.

About this title

Book Description

This study focuses on the works of one of the best-known writers of eighteenth-century France, Denis Diderot, whose experimentation with presenting critical knowledge exemplifies the Enlightenment's struggle to produce a rationalist critique of all prior knowledge. Paying close attention to the formal-poetic nature of Diderot's writing, it examines the interplay between critical knowledge and its representation.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521032210
• ISBN 13: 9780521032216
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 316