Thomas Jefferson and Philosophy

Though it is not uncommon for historians to have something to say concerning philosophical strands in Jeffersons thought, that something is usually insubstantialoften misleadingly soor inchoate. Overall, precious little has been said. The significance of the man and the richness of his thought demands that this defect be remedied. Thomas Jefferson and Philosophy is a collection of nine new essays on philosophical elements in Jeffersons writings. The first of its kind, this collection should lead to further philosophical analysis of Jeffersons thinkingespecially by philosophers, who tend to appreciate Jefferson only as the author of the Declaration of Independenceand to greater appreciation for the man who gave to statesmanship a large number of the prime of his years out of a moral sense of duty to others. In that regard, Jefferson was always first a philosopher. This book will be a valuable read for students and scholars of history, political theory, and philosophy, as well as anyone interested in the thought of Thomas Jefferson.