Abstract

This survey is designed for students and "the common reader." Scruton focuses on key arguments and on overall metaphysical, ethical, and political systems from "a contemporary point of view," for the curious who read only English. The book is well-written, but readers will need a prior introduction to philosophy. The book is weak on historical detail and fair on philosophical argument, although some arguments are inevitably obscure when given briefly in elementary terms. The overall story Scruton tells might best be expressed by saying that Descartes is the villain, and Kant, or rather a more recent manifestation of the Geist, Hegel, is the hero.