xi, 273 pages ; 25 cm
In 1787, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote "The Federalist" to defend and rally support for the ratification of the Constitution. In "Philosophy, 'The Federalist', and the Constitution", Morton White presents a comprehensive analysis 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, theory of history, psychology, metaphysics, theory of action, and ethics used by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay in their defense of the Constitution and accepted by other founding fathers. A thorough comprehension of these ideas, White maintains, it is necessary if we are to understand fully "The Federalist" itself. "Philosophy, 'The Federalist', and the Constitution" provides a unique and penetrating view of the beliefs of those who helped launch the American republic. -- From publisher's description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-263) and index
The role of philosophy in The Federalist -- Hume's experience and Locke's reason -- Using abstract reason in morals and politics -- Using experience and history in politics -- The causes of factions and the question of economic determinism -- The essence of ideal man and the nature of real men -- Reason, passion, and interest -- On the strength of different motives -- Motive, opportunity, and action: the principle of causality at work -- Combining and separating motives and opportunities -- The nonnaturalistic ethics of natural rights -- A philosophical map of The Federalist -- The Federalist and the Declaration of Independence compared
In 1787, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote "The Federalist" to defend and rally support for the ratification of the Constitution. In "Philosophy, 'The Federalist', and the Constitution", Morton White presents a comprehensive analysis 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, theory of history, psychology, metaphysics, theory of action, and ethics used by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay in their defense of the Constitution and accepted by other founding fathers. A thorough comprehension of these ideas, White maintains, it is necessary if we are to understand fully "The Federalist" itself. "Philosophy, 'The Federalist', and the Constitution" provides a unique and penetrating view of the beliefs of those who helped launch the American republic. -- From publisher's description
Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-263) and index
The role of philosophy in The Federalist -- Hume's experience and Locke's reason -- Using abstract reason in morals and politics -- Using experience and history in politics -- The causes of factions and the question of economic determinism -- The essence of ideal man and the nature of real men -- Reason, passion, and interest -- On the strength of different motives -- Motive, opportunity, and action: the principle of causality at work -- Combining and separating motives and opportunities -- The nonnaturalistic ethics of natural rights -- A philosophical map of The Federalist -- The Federalist and the Declaration of Independence compared
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