Jonathan Israel Book order

The biography delves into the life and work of Spinoza, one of the most provocative early modern philosophers. It explores his relationships, career, and writings, challenging conventional perceptions of his influence on philosophy, religion, ethics, and political theory both during his lifetime and posthumously. This examination prompts a reevaluation of Spinoza's legacy and the complexities of his thought in shaping modern intellectual discourse.

With over 300 cross-referenced entries, this comprehensive dictionary serves as an essential resource for understanding the Enlightenment. It includes a detailed chronology and an introduction that contextualizes the period, alongside an extensive bibliography for further research. Ideal for students and scholars alike, it provides valuable insights into key figures, ideas, and events that shaped this transformative era in history.

The book explores the divergence between radical and conservative Enlightenment ideologies, highlighting the tension between the pursuit of a just society and the influence of religion and secularization. It examines how societal interests were nearly overshadowed by concepts that favored the privileged, illustrating the struggle between egalitarian ideals and entrenched power structures during this transformative period.

Die Französische Revolution: ein Jahrhundertereignis, das immer wieder neu erzählt und gedeutet wird. Auf die Frage nach den Ursachen gibt es viele Antworten: Eine Krise des absolutistischen Staates. Verelendung des Volkes. Überhöhte Brotpreise. Die Revolution vollzog sich in drei parallel laufenden Bewegungen: der Forderung nach einer konstitutionellen Monarchie nach britischem Vorbild, einem gewalttätigen Protest in der radikalen Terrorherrschaft und einer demokratisch-republikanischen Revolution, die in der Aufklärung wurzelte. Dieser dritten Bewegung attestiert Jonathan Israel die zentrale revolutionäre Energie. Der international angesehene Experte vertieft und ergänzt so das überkommene Bild durch eine neue überraschende Dimension. Die radikalen Aufklärungsphilosophen Frankreichs dachten säkular und erklärten die Vernunft zur grundlegenden Triebkraft geschichtlichen Fortschritts. Damit bereiteten sie den umwälzenden Ereignissen den Weg, spalteten aber zugleich deren Führer in feindliche ideologische Blöcke.

Seit einem Jahrzehnt gibt es eine intensive Forschung zur »Radikalaufklärung« – dem atheistischen, skeptischen und materialistischen Flügel des Denkens im späten 17. und 18. Jahrhundert. Vor allem Jonathan Israel hat für die aufregende These argumentiert, dass diese radikalen Aufklärer verantwortlich sind für die Errungenschaften der Moderne, für Freiheit und Menschenrechte, Gleichheit und Toleranz, und dass der Spinozismus eine zentrale Rolle bei deren Durchsetzung gespielt hat. In diesem Band setzen sich acht führende nationale und internationale Experten mit Israels These auseinander und zeigen die Vielfalt und Deutungen der Radikalaufklärung auf. Mit Beiträgen von Silvia Berti, Wiep van Bunge, Margaret C. Jacob, Anthony McKenna u. a.

Jonathan Israel's radical new account of the late Enlightenment highlights forgotten currents and figures. Running counter to mainstream thinking, he demonstrates how a group of philosophe-revolutionnaires provided the intellectual powerhouse of the French Revolution, and how their ideas connect with modern Western democracy.

Democracy, free thought, religious tolerance, individual liberty, and equality have become mainstream values since the 1948 U.N. Declaration of Human Rights. However, their origins were far more radical than most historians acknowledge. Jonathan Israel, a leading historian of the Enlightenment, traces these philosophical roots to the Radical Enlightenment, a clandestine movement that emerged in opposition to the more moderate mainstream Enlightenment of the 18th century. Initially hidden from public view, the Radical Enlightenment gained prominence during the revolutionary decades of the 1770s to 1790s, provoking significant backlash from those defending monarchy, aristocracy, empire, and racial hierarchy. This vigorous opposition was fueled by societal impulses to maintain censorship, church authority, social inequality, and privilege for ruling groups. By exploring this history, the work reveals the surprising origins of our most cherished values and sheds light on why they continue to face disapproval and attacks in certain circles today.

Focusing on the Radical Enlightenment, this work articulates Jonathan Israel's pivotal ideas regarding its influence on modern democratic values. It serves as a comprehensive statement for both seasoned readers and newcomers, offering clear and concise arguments alongside significant expansions of his scholarship. This book stands as a masterful introduction to the contributions of one of the foremost scholars in Enlightenment studies, making it an essential read for understanding the era's impact on contemporary thought.

The book presents a comprehensive analysis of the Enlightenment, emphasizing the divide between conservative and radical philosophical currents rather than the significance of national movements. Jonathan Israel delves into primary texts to provide a fresh interpretation of Enlightenment thought, highlighting the underlying tensions that shaped its development. This reinterpretation challenges conventional views and sheds light on the complexities of philosophical discourse during this pivotal era.