Rival Enlightenments

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Rival Enlightenments offers a fresh perspective on early modern German intellectual history by contrasting the civil philosophies of Pufendorf and Thomasius with the metaphysical philosophies of Leibniz and Kant. Ian Hunter challenges the conventional narrative that views Kant as reconciling these schools of thought, suggesting instead that the marginalization of civil philosophy reflects ongoing tensions between these rival intellectual cultures. This study blends meticulous research with engaging argumentation, providing valuable insights for both philosophers and historians.