Abstract

Descartes plays a strange role in modern philosophy. Called the "father" of modern philosophy, he is more like a Freudian father where his "sons" feel the need to overthrow him. Perhaps no other philosopher has been "refuted" more than Descartes has. Indeed, a unifying characteristic of many diverse contemporary philosophic movements has been its anti-Cartesianism. But as so often happens in the history of philosophy, we are coming to realize that Descartes himself was not a "Cartesian." This study which is designed "to help the undergraduate and graduate students in understanding Descartes' philosophy" is organized around the central philosophic issues raised in the Meditations. It is not a historical or a philosophic reconstruction of Descartes. Nor is Kenny concerned to give a last ditch defense of Descartes. Kenny takes Descartes seriously, defending him against false objections and criticizing Descartes where Kenny thinks he has gone astray. In the course of his analysis, Kenny exhibits his knowledge of Descartes' corpus and the growing literature in Anglo-Saxon philosophy dealing with Descartes. At times, Kenny doesn't do full justice to some of the objections and interpretations of Descartes. And one wishes that his own interpretations were developed in greater detail. But Kenny certainly succeeds in making Descartes "come alive" and showing us how he still is relevant for contemporary philosophic inquiry.--R. J. B.