Includes bibliographical references (pages 195-203).
Contents:
Works cited.0 The Philosophers : Prudent Ministers and Counselors of the Prince -- The Philosopher La Mothe Le Vayer : Philosopher with an Insatiable Appetite for Books -- Supporter of Curiosity that Leads to Admiration -- Adversary of Curiosity for the Causes behind the Show Offered by the World -- Fervent Admirer of Sextus Empiricus' "Decalogue" -- The Contradictions : Instrument against Stubbornness -- The Sceptic who Merges Pyrrhonism with the New Academy -- Follower of Flexible Thought -- La Mothe Le Vayer against Political Power and its Practices -- Politicians : Ordinary Individuals who Rely on Ostentation for Their Power -- Deceit and Violence : Common Practices of Power -- Political Science : Theory Deprived of Influence on Practice -- Political Science face-to-face with Scepticism -- Politics : A Practice that Does not Seem to be Governed by Science, but by Fortune -- The Pyrrhonian Contradictions : Annihilating Instrument against Political Science? -- The Political Science Taught by La Mothe Le Vayer -- Politics, a Fundamentally Practical Science -- The Magical Arts, Pseudo-Sciences Unworthy of Study -- The Relationship between Power and Altar : Halfway between Indifference and Fanaticism -- Power Facing the Religious Difference : Toleration Based on the Separation of Church and State -- The War against the Spanish and the Alliances with the Protestants : Pragmatism Based on Secular Considerations -- The Reason of State or the "Politics of the Lesser Evil" -- The Contents of Political Science : from the War against the Common Enemy to Economic Prosperity -- La Mothe Le Vayer's Attitude towards Politics : Irreducible Contradiction? -- Philosopher Away from the Political World -- Philosopher who Considers Himself Duty Bound to Share the Fruits of his Wakefulness -- At the Service of Power or at a Distance from it? -- Intertextuality I : The Boundaries of Royal Omnipotence -- Intertextuality II : The Foundations of Power -- The Prudence of the Prince : Necessary, but Difficult -- The Philosophers : Prudent Ministers and Counselors of the Prince -- Conclusion -- Works cited.0
Summary:
"The book aims at bringing a significant contribution to the study of a prestigious figure of the French 17th century who, thanks to his intellectual achievements, became involved with the leading politicians of the time, including Cardinal Richelieu and the future Louis XIV. Unlike the previous critical studies about La Mothe Le Vayer, the book does not study exclusively the works in which he seemed to undermine the political order, but also takes into account the series of educational treatises that he wrote for the prince between 1640-1658. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, which involves philosophical and literary concepts, the book is likely to deal with a question that could not be more relevant nowadays: should an intellectual who perceives the failings of the political order withdraw into the solitude of his library or get involved in politics in order to try to improve it?"-- Back cover.
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