In this first book-length examination of the Cartesian theory of visual perception, Celia Wolf-Devine explores the many philosophical implications of Descartes theory, concluding that he ultimately failed to provide a completely mechanistic theory of visual perception.

Wolf-Devine traces the development of Descartes thought about visual perception against the backdrop of the transition from Aristotelianism to the new mechanistic sciencethe major scientific paradigm shift taking place in the seventeenth century. She considers the philosopher s work in terms of its background in...

In this engrossing double volume, the work and thought of Nicolas Malebranche is examined through the eyes of Simon Foucher and Dortous de Mairan. Part 1 consists of Richard A. Watson s translation of the first published critique, by Simon Foucher, of Malebranche s main philosophical work, "Of the Search for the Truth. "In the second part, Marjorie Grene presents a meticulous translation of the long correspondence between Malebranche and Jean-Jacques Dortous de Mairan that ended shortly before Malebranche s death. Both Watson and Grene provide insightful introductions to their...