An Yves R. Simon Reader: The Philosopher's Calling

An Yves R. Simon Reader is the first collection of texts from the entirety of the philosophers work, divided into three sections: defending the Aristotelian and Thomistic account of human knowing, discussing human freedom, and expanding this account to cover social and political philosophy. It includes excerpts from Simons last and most important essays, demonstrating his careful conceptual analysis, finding undervalued examples, and creating expressions that revivified an outworn idea.

Format: Hardback
Length: 514 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2021
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

French Catholic (and then American) political philosopher Yves R. Simon was a student of Jacques Maritain and one of the most important figures in the revival of Thomism. His work, however, is still little known in English, and there is as yet no English biography of him. In An Yves R. Simon Reader: The Philosophers Calling, Michael D. Torre provides an erudite and helpful introduction to Simons life and thought. The volume contains selected key texts from all of Simons twenty books, half of which were published posthumously, dividing them into three sections. The first fundamentally defends the Aristotelian and Thomistic account of human knowing. The second begins with his groundbreaking discussion of human freedom and ends with his account of practical wisdom. The third then expands this account to cover the chief concerns of his social and political philosophy. The selections are long enough to be substantive and contain sustained and complete arguments. Each selection has its own foreword by an eminent commentator, familiar with Simons work, who lays out the necessary context for the reader.

An Yves R. Simon Reader includes sections from several of Simons last and most important essays: on sensitive knowledge and on the analogous nature of "act." It includes a number of excerpts from his justly famous account and defense of democratic government. The hallmarks of his work—his careful conceptual analysis, his genius for finding undervalued examples, and his talent for creating expressions that revivified an outworn idea—are on display throughout. Indeed, as one of the books contributors says, Simon touched nothing that he did not adorn. The result is a highly original and thought-provoking collection of essays that will be of interest to scholars and students of philosophy alike.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268108298