Modern French Philosophy: a Study of the Development Since Comte

"Modern French Philosophy: a Study of the Development Since Comte" by J. Alexander Gunn is an academic exploration of how philosophy changed in France from the mid-1800s to 1921, starting with Auguste Comte. Written in the early 1900s, the book's purpose is to give a structured look at French philosophical thinking by putting it alongside the big historical happenings of that time. It talks about the ongoing development of vital philosophical ideas, like science, liberty, advancements, morals, and faith, throughout a time of great change in France. The book starts by recognizing that current ideas come from older ways of thinking but also stresses the importance of understanding the social and political background that led to these modern French philosophies. It emphasizes how important the French Revolution was and how key thinkers, like Maine de Biran, the Eclectics, the Socialists, and Positivism, helped, pointing out how their work and the resulting philosophical trends influenced discussions in France during the last part of the 1800s. This beginning part looks at how old-fashioned conservatism and brand-new philosophical inventions mixed together, preparing the way for a closer examination in later chapters.