A History of Modern European Philosophy by James Collins (review)

106 BOOK REVIEWS thority' and to Tradition, while the internal requirements are intellectual ability, moral dispositions, and supernatural faith and grace. In a concluding chapter Seynaeve proposes the answer to three questions. What are the sources of Newman's biblical thought? In what manner and to what extent, has his biblical doctrine influenced subsequent thought? What is its value in the light of modern investigation? As for the first question, his principal sources were the Bible itself, the Alexandrian Fathers, the Caroline divines of the seventeenth century, and contemporary writers. After his conversion he did become acquainted with some of the Catholic biblicists, but it is to be regretted that he never became familiar with the great Scholastics. The influence of Newman's biblical thought has never been too profound or extensive. But with regard to its value in the light of modern investigation the reviewer agrees heartily with the author when he says that " the partisans of what is commonly called a more theological exegesis may find in Newman's biblical doctrine many a . valuable and enriching indication." (p. 408) In concluding this review it can be said that, though not written in the mother tongue of the author, the book reads easily and smoothly. There are a few errata and, infrequently, an ambiguous term. But these provide no hindrance to the reader. A select bibliography is prefaced to the work and indexes of proper names and of authors mentioned in Newman's manuscripts are added. Briefly, the book is a scholarly and well documented work worthy of being classed with the other magisterial theses that have issued from Louvain. St. Mary's of the West, Norwood, Ohio EUGENE H. MALY A History of Modern European Philosophy. By JAMES CoLLINS. Milwaukee : Bruce, 1954. Pp. 864 with index. $9.75. This, the author's most ambitious work to date, is a textbook " designed primarily for students who have some acquaintance with Scholastic philosophy and who seek an introduction to the vast field of modern thought." (p. iii) It covers, roughly, the period 1500-1900, beginning with Renaissance thinkers like M:achiavelli and concluding with Bergson. Each of the nineteen chapters is concluded by a summary and a lengthy bibliography of editions, translations and studies net only in English but in the various European languages. There are, in addition, approximately fifteen hundred footnote references to specific statements of, or articles about, special problems mentioned in the text. The restrained use of tables and diagrams enormously unifies lengthy exposition. This monumental work was undertaken to help establish " fruitful intel- BOOK REVIEWS 107 lectual communication between Scholastic teaching and the representative modern system " (p. iii) , an enterprise in which both Scholasticism and modern philosophy have been conspicuously loath to engage, to their mutual loss. The author's method of presentation is to explain the individual systems in chronological order. He is, of course, aware of alternate methods, like the problem method, the history of ideas approach; indeed he recognizes the merits of each. But he is soundly convinced that " it is indispensable to be grounded primarily in a study of the doctrinal systems of the individual thinkers." (p. iv) What Collins has omitted from this study is quite as iquch a tribute to his sound judgment as what he has included. Since the textbook is not " an encyclopedic work of reference," it gives a robust account of each major philosopher, but of major philosophers only; the minor figures, such as Malebranche, Vico, Rousseau, are excluded from the exposition, though not necessarily from the notes. The result is a structural simplicity which makes this lengthy exposition feasible for the undergraduate as well as the graduate mind. There is a basic similarity in the construction of the various chapters. There is first a brief biography; then an explanation of the method and guiding principles of the philosopher's system; finally an account of his doctrine on various philosophical problems. These problems are basically the same in all the chapters, but where necessary, individual problems are discussed. A full, accurate account of the thought of each philosopher makes possible a restrained effort at evaluation. " An attempt is made to test the main assumptions and method operative...