Action (1893): Essay on a Critique of Life and a Science of PracticeAction was once a prominent theme in philosophical reflection. It figured prominently in Aristotelian philosophy, and the medieval Scholastics built some of their key adages around it. But by the time Maurice Blondel came to focus on it for his own philosophical reflection, it had all but disappeared from the philosophical vocabulary. It is no longer possible or legitimate to ignore action in philosophy as it was in France when Blondel appeared on the scene in 1882, when at the age of 21 he first began to focus on action as a dissertation subject, and in 1893, when he defended and published the dissertation now presented here for the English reader. |
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Action (1893): Essay on a Critique of Life and a Science of Practice Maurice Blondel Limited preview - 1984 |
Action (1893): Essay on a Critique of Life and a Science of Practice Maurice Blondel Limited preview - 2021 |
Common terms and phrases
absolute abstract affirm already antecedent conditions appears aspiration become Blondel bring character complete consciousness constitutes contradiction contrary desire destiny determinism distinct divine efficacious efficient cause egoism everything exigencies expression fact fecundity feeling forces freedom heart Hence heteronomy human action idea ideal illusion immanent impossible individual inevitable infinite initiative intention interior knowledge law of contradiction Leibniz little by little living longer look manifest mathematical Maurice Blondel means metaphysical Methodical Doubt minism moral movement mystery nature necessary necessity nothingness object oneself ontological argument operation organism original ourselves penetrate perfect phenomena phenomenon philosophy philosophy of action positive sciences practice precisely principle problem reality reason reflexion relation remains revealed scientific sciousness seems sense sensible simple sincere solidarity sophisms soul speak spirit spontaneous subjective subsists superstition surpass synthesis things Thomism thought tion true truth unity universal voluntary action whole