The Correspondence between Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia and René Descartes

René Descartes author Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia author Lisa Shapiro translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:The University of Chicago Press

Published:1st Jun '07

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Correspondence between Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia and René Descartes cover

Between the years 1643 and 1649, Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia (1618-80) and Rene Descartes (1596-1650) exchanged fifty-eight letters - thirty-two from Descartes and twenty-six from Elisabeth. Their correspondence contains the only known extant philosophical writings by Elisabeth and reveals her mastery of metaphysics, analytic geometry, and moral philosophy, as well as her keen interest in natural philosophy. The letters are essential reading for anyone interested in Descartes' philosophy, in particular his account of the human being as a union of mind and body, as well as his ethics. They also provide a unique insight into the character of their authors and the way ideas develop through intellectual collaboration. Philosophers have long been familiar with Descartes' side of the correspondence. Now Elisabeth's letters - never before available in translation in their entirety - emerge in this volume, adding much-needed context and depth both to Descartes' ideas and the legacy of the princess. Lisa Shapiro's annotated edition, which also includes Elisabeth's correspondence with the Quakers William Penn and Robert Barclay, will be heralded by students of philosophy, feminist theorists, and historians of the early modern period.

ISBN: 9780226204420

Dimensions: 23mm x 15mm x 2mm

Weight: 397g

280 pages