Abstract

Crocker's book is a continuation of his study of French intellectual history of the enlightenment period. In an earlier volume he dealt primarily with theories of human nature, metaphysics and psychology. Here his concern is with moral experience and values. Crocker traces the advance of utilitarianism and nihilism as they undermined the traditional solutions to man's moral problems, viz., Christianity and Natural Law. He shows how the political theories of the France of the eighteenth century were shaped by metaphysical and ethical considerations. The treatments of Voltaire and Rousseau are incisive.—S. A. E.