On learned subjects the Dutch publishing industry was the freest and the biggest in terms of quantity of publishing, especially for French and Latin. Holland had the largest of the Huguenot émigré communities, but also the largest group among the intelligentsia, prominent figures in the republic of letters at that time. The Huguenot diaspora, which played such an important part in intellectual life all over Western Europe, had as its pivot, its central point, the Dutch Republic. This is very heavily dominated by French writing, although - and Hazard in no way understates this - the link with Holland is still there. So one would need to take the period between 16 as the first stage of this crisis - which in every other respect, Hazard describes for us very, very effectively - and the period between 16 as the second phase of the Enlightenment. It’s in the 1650s the Descartes makes his first really big impact in the Netherlands. The Dutch crisis of reaction to the challenge thrown down by Descartes and Hobbes and Spinoza is really in the period between 16. If one were to accept that, then 1680 becomes rather problematic. But, as I see it, the Dutch Republic plays a crucial role, not just in the history of the Enlightenment, but in creating the framework of basic ideas which shaped and generated controversy throughout the whole history of the Enlightenment. Choosing 1680 is perhaps a rather French perspective: it’s when Bayle and Malebranche and other key figures writing in French are really developing their thoughts and their ideas. There’s quite a lot in the book that I agree with, but, as one might expect, there are other things I do not agree with. I have some difficulties with his starting point in 1680. The book has a precise thesis which you alluded to: Hazard says the revolutionary ideas which were around in the late 18th century were already current in 1680. It would be hard to compete with its account of the crisis of the European mind in that early period. In that respect it’s excellent and still unmatched. Hazard’s book gives a lively and dramatic picture of the early Enlightenment period and the intellectual crisis that it entailed, not just in one European country, but right across the Western world. There’s a tendency for most surveys to be rather weak, especially on the early period, and to focus too much on the second half of the 18th century - giving the reader the impression that what happened earlier was a mere preface. Its durability is perhaps its most impressive feature - although actually the main reason I chose it is that I designed my Five Books in such a way as to be comprehensive and cover the Enlightenment in all its aspects in an exciting, but also a thorough, way. It’s remarkable that it made the impact that it did at the time and has continued to do so, consistently, over decades. The book has shown an ability to endure, which is very unusual in any kind of history book, not just in the world of intellectual history. Foreign Policy & International Relations.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |