The History of Philosophy, Vol. V: The Eighteenth Century (review)

296 HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY the metaphysical system of Leibniz" (p. 83) seems to conflict with the (ethically orientated) view that spiritual substances are "determined" or "self-determining." For causal relations do not pertain to (or affect) monadic being. Resclier's analysis of Leibniz' metaphysics focuses attention upon the conception of relations (Russell's claim that Leibniz cannot consistently maintain that relations are "merely ideal" is shown to be false), the conception of phenomenon bene ]undatum, the concepts of time, space, motion, and infinity. A chapter on "Monadic Hierarchies" is an original contribution to an understanding of Leibniz which deals with a complex problem (the relations of accord and representation among monads comprising the well founded phenomena described as bodies) which is rarely, if ever, treated in works on Leibniz. In addition, the author manages to present a succinct account of Leibniz' theory of knowledge which is overly condensed. The precision and clarity which Rescher brings to this study makes his work a highly valuable analysis of a system of metaphysics which has often been falsely maligned. The technical proficiency of this work makes it one of the most carefully wrought and conscientious studies of Leibniz in English. GEORGEJ. ~AC~ C. W. Post College Greenvale, New York The History o] Philosophy, Vol. V: The Eighteenth Century. By Emile BrShier, Trans. Wade Baskin. (Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1967. Pp. 263. $7.95) To compress the philosophy of the eighteenth century into 260 pages is a task which can be accomplished only by skimping on some figures who are treated at length in traditional histories. But the principle which one is to use in cutting down the pages given to a philosopher is a matter of dispute. Why, for instance, did Emile Br~hier give fourteen pages to Condillac , pages which by the way are excellent, and only half a page to Hartley? Surely the associationism of the latter was as influential as the "sensationalism" of the former. Again, why five pages to Vico against two to Herder? Eighteen to Hume and two to Adam Smith? If Br~hier was hampered by restrictions of space imposed by his publisher, he could have omitted the superficial biographical paragraphs which introduce each of the more important figures. For I doubt that the philosophy of Wolff is clarified by telling us that he taught at Halle, Marburg and again at Halle; that we understand the Spirit o] the Laws any the better for knowing that its author was born in Bordeaux, traveled in Italy, Switzerland, Holland, and England; that problems in the understanding of Hume are softened by knowing that he was "covered with flowers" while secretary to the British Embassy in Paris. In fact this biographical material is largely bibliographical and is duplicated at the end of each chapter. There is also the question of what is to serve as an author's philosophy in an historical study. Br~hier based what he had to say about Berkeley largely on the Commonplace Book. But what role did this collection of notes play in the eighteenth century? If one is simply interested in reporting on the development of Berkeley's thoughts, the Commonplace Book is obviously of great importance. But Berkeley's place in the history of philosophy was determined by those works which were published, not by his private papers. After all, if a man is to serve as a link in a philosophical tradition, he becomes identified with his publications. But perhaps it was not Br~hier's intention to describe philosophical traditions. Though this volume is called The Eighteenth Century, the best that can be said of it is that the men whose ideas are presented in it lived in that time. They form a collection of writers whose inter-relations are left vague. It is true of course that we learn of Wolff's relation to Leibniz and Kant's to Hume, but these relations are not explored and mention of them could just as well have been omitted. The beginner learns nothing intelligible and the professional is BOOK REVIEWS 297 exasperated. In fact one is puzzled to know to whom the book is addressed. For not even the...