The eclectic legacy
Subtitle: academic philosophy and the human sciences in nineteenth-century France
By: John I. Brooks III.
Publisher: University of Delaware Press; Associated University Presses
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Newark, Del; London; Cranbury, NJ
Language: eng
Number of pages: 323
Subjects: Philosophy, French -- 19th century.; Philosophy and social sciences -- History -- 19th century.; Psychology -- France -- Philosophy -- History -- 19th century.; Sociology -- France -- Philosophy -- History -- 19th century.
Description: This study offers a new interpretation of the emergence of scientific psychology and sociology in late-nineteenth-century France. Focusing on their relationship with the philosophy taught in the French education system, the author shows the profound impact on the individuals most responsible for the introduction of the human sciences into the French university - particularly Theodule Ribot, Alfred Espinas, Pierre Janet, and Emile Durkheim.

Philosophers helped shape the human sciences by their criticisms of conceptual and methodological problems in the emerging disciplines. The human sciences that emerged were less reductionist and more methodologically sound than they would have been without the vigorous debate with philosophy. This influence is the eclectic legacy of academic philosophy to the human sciences in France.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 301-314) and index.