Philosophy, the Federalist, and the Constitution

by Morton Gabriel White

Book Overview

Here, Morton White presents the first synoptic view of the major philosophical ideas in The Federalist. Using the tools of philosophy and intellectual history, White extracts and examines the interlocking theory of knowledge, doctrine of normative ethics, psychology of motivation, and even metaphysics and theology, all of which were used in different degrees by the founding fathers in defense of the Constitution.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195039114
• ISBN13: 9780195039115
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Philosophy, the Federalist, and the Constitution

Morton White's, Philosophy, The Federalist, and the Constitution is a classic work on how the Founding Fathers arrived on how they wanted their new nation's government to be established. From Publius's ideas on principles of natural rights which are tested by examining the relations between ideas, whereas statements asserting that firm and efficient government would be in the true interest of the people are tested by experience.Humeian empiricism in politics and Lockeian rationalism in morals are also playing a part with their respective writings. After reading White's book you get a better feel and appreciation as to the ardous task the Founding Fathers had taken, establishing a government like none seen previous. The book is a valuable reference and is clearly written.Impeccably written, grounding the reader in the terms of technical philosophy and rich scholarship, one has to appreciate this work as a valuable resource. This book is brilliant and illuminating for the student examining the origins of the constitution.