History of Modern Philosophy from Nicolas of Cusa to the Present Time

Richard Falckenberg's History of Modern Philosophy is a compact university guide that combines scholarly rigor with unusual clarity, offering students a practical path through the major movements of modern thought. Framed by translator's notes and Falckenberg's own prefaces, it aims to bridge exhaustive histories and brief outlines by presenting philosophers objectively, with enough critical guidance to support reading and teaching. The book traces the story of modern philosophy from Nicolas of Cusa through Descartes, Kant, Hegel, and beyond, including later British, American, and European developments. Its guiding idea is that philosophy can only be understood historically: systems grow out of their age, temperament, and intellectual environment, and even rejected doctrines remain alive as part of a cumulative human drama. Falckenberg contrasts ancient, medieval, and modern thought, then follows German philosophy after Hegel through materialism, the revival of Kant, neo-Kantianism, positivism, and related special sciences. Along the way, he highlights figures such as Jacobi, whose critique of rationalism, emphasis on faith and feeling, and defense of individuality helped shape Romantic and post-Kantian debates. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.