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Thomas Jefferson : uncovering his unique philosophy and vision / by M. Andrew Holowchak.

By: Material type: TextTextPublisher: Amherst, New York : Prometheus Books, 2014Description: 365 pages ; 24 cmContent type:
  • text
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 1616149523 (hardback)
  • 9781616149529 (hardback)
Subject(s):
Contents:
Part I. Jefferson on human nature -- "I cannot reason otherwise": Jefferson's cosmos -- Part II. Jefferson on politics -- "Prophecy is one thing, history another": Jefferson's mother principle -- "Turbulent liberty [or] quiet servitude": Jefferson and liberty -- "The earth belongs...to the living": Jefferson on revolution and political renewal -- Part III. Jefferson on morality -- "Not to lean on others": Jefferson on man and morality -- "This faithful, internal monitor": Jefferson on the moral sense -- "The most precious gift of nature": Jefferson on the "natural aristoi" -- Part IV. Jefferson on education -- "Uniting merit with...learning": Jefferson's philosophy of education -- "An utopian dream": Jefferson on primary education for enlightened democracy -- "The ablest...or none at all": Jefferson on secondary education for sensitive meritocracy.
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Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Materials specified Status Date due Barcode Item holds
Adult Book Adult Book Main Library NonFiction 973.46 H754 Available 33111007910322
Total holds: 0

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This is the first book to systematize the philosophical content of Thomas Jefferson's writings. Sifting through Jefferson's many addresses, messages, and letters, philosopher M. Andrew Holowchak uncovers an intensely curious Enlightenment thinker with a well-constructed, people-sympathetic, and consistent philosophy. As the author shows, Jefferson's philosophical views encompassed human nature, the cosmos, politics, morality, and education.

Beginning with his understanding of the cosmos, part one considers Jefferson's philosophical naturalism and the influence on him of Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, and John Locke. The next section critically examines his political viewpoints, specifically his republicanism, liberalism, and progressivism. The third part, oJefferson on Morality,o analyzes Jefferson's thoughts on human nature, his moral-sense theory, and his notion of onatural aristoi o (best or most virtuous citizens). Finally, oJefferson on Educationo reviews his ideas on properly educating the people of the new nation for responsible, participatory citizenry.

Jefferson conceived of the United States as a ogreat experimento-embodying a vision of a government responsibly representative of its people and functioning for the sake of them. This book will help readers understand the philosophical perspective that sustained this audacious, innovative, and people-first experiment.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part I. Jefferson on human nature -- "I cannot reason otherwise": Jefferson's cosmos -- Part II. Jefferson on politics -- "Prophecy is one thing, history another": Jefferson's mother principle -- "Turbulent liberty [or] quiet servitude": Jefferson and liberty -- "The earth belongs...to the living": Jefferson on revolution and political renewal -- Part III. Jefferson on morality -- "Not to lean on others": Jefferson on man and morality -- "This faithful, internal monitor": Jefferson on the moral sense -- "The most precious gift of nature": Jefferson on the "natural aristoi" -- Part IV. Jefferson on education -- "Uniting merit with...learning": Jefferson's philosophy of education -- "An utopian dream": Jefferson on primary education for enlightened democracy -- "The ablest...or none at all": Jefferson on secondary education for sensitive meritocracy.

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