An Historical Introduction to Modern Philosophy

An Historical Introduction to Modern Philosophy by Hugh Miller, published by The Macmillan Company in New York and reprinted in 1949, offers a broad historical introduction to the development of Western philosophy from its ancient Greek beginnings to major currents of modern and contemporary thought. Rather than treating philosophy as an isolated succession of thinkers and doctrines, Miller presents it in close relation to the growth of science, logic, politics, ethics, and social life. In the Preface, he explains that the book is intended to help readers understand contemporary philosophy by tracing the intellectual developments that shaped modern conceptions of the individual, society, and nature.
The volume moves from Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle through medieval thought and the rise of modern science, then examines rationalism, empiricism, Kant, dialectical idealism, and dialectical materialism, before turning to nineteenth- and twentieth-century movements such as realism, pragmatism, positivism, and the philosophy of science. A recurring concern throughout the work is the relationship between intellectual history and the social and political problems of modern civilization, especially the tension between freedom and necessity, the role of science in society, and the moral foundations of political life. The book is therefore a valuable resource for students and researchers seeking a historically grounded overview of Western philosophical thought and its connections with science, society, and political theory.