Dr. Richard McKeon, the author of The Philosophy of Spinoza
(Longmans, 25s.) has undertaken his task in the belief that the minute study of one philosopher, in his historical and intellectual relations, is one of the best of all introductions to philosophy itself. It is certainly the path along which the reluctant neophyte can best be tempted to the formidable encounter with metaphysical problems ; and few better subjects could be selected than Spinoza, whose importance for the history of thought is being more and more clearly perceived. Both the difficulty and interest of Spinoza abide largely in the need of harmonizing two diverse strands in his philosophic temper ;. one, mystical and Neo-Platonist, the other rigidly determinist and mathematical. He had like all really great thinkers a vision • exceeding the frame which his mind had made for it Hence, those who follow Dr. McKeon will soon-J:118'430)7er that they are committed to explorations leading far beyOnd the boundaries of the Spinozan philosophy ; and that only after tracing clues which lead them again and again towards the mind's horizons will they at last be brought back to a position in which they can appre- ciate the unity of his thought. Dr. McKeon, who is an American scholar, writes with unusual clearness, and even-- considering the intricate nature of his subject—with simplicity.
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