History of Modern Philosophy

"History of Modern Philosophy" by Alfred William Benn is a historical exploration of philosophy from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment. The book starts by looking at the "Philosophical Renaissance," pointing out that not much philosophical progress happened in the thousand years after the schools of Athens closed. It then tracks how changes in society, sparked by the rediscovery of classical ideas and Renaissance innovations, paved the way for a renewed interest in philosophical questions. The author shows how philosophy shifted away from medieval tradition toward the questioning and exploration that defined the modern age, highlighting the influence of Christianity, the rise of humanism, and new scientific ideas like the Copernican theory.