"The great ocean of knowledge" : the influence of travel literature on the work of John Locke / by Ann Talbot.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Talbot, Ann.

Series:

Brill's studies in intellectual history ; v. 184.

Brill's studies in intellectual history, 0920-8607 ; v. 184

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Locke, John, 1632-1704--Books and reading.

Locke, John.

Travelers' writings, European--History and criticism.

Travelers' writings, European.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (348 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) owned one of the most extensive collections of travel literature held in any private scholarly library of his day. It is an interest which seems very much at odds with Locke's reputation as an empirical philosopher because travellers' reports have acquired a reputation for unreliability. This book sets Locke's use of travel literature within the context of the natural historical methods of investigation associated with Francis Bacon and the Royal Society. It examines the notes he made in his commonplace books to demonstrate that Locke was developing a form of comparative social anthropology and had a sympathetic attitude towards Native Americans despite his role as a colonial administrator.

Contents:

Preliminary Material / A. Talbot

Chapter One. Introduction / A. Talbot

Chapter Two. \'Fit For Our Imitation\': Locke, Sagard And The Huron / A. Talbot

Chapter Three. Locke And The Lapland Witches / A. Talbot

Chapter Four. Merchants Of Light: Locke And Utopia / A. Talbot

Chapter Five. Cannibalism And Absolutism / A. Talbot

Chapter Six. From \'Stinging Swarms Of Miseries\' To A State Of Equality And Freedom / A. Talbot

Chapter Seven. \'Beyond The Smoke Of Their Own Chimneys\': Travel Literature And Innate Ideas / A. Talbot

Chapter Eight. Travel Literature In The Essay Concerning Human Understanding / A. Talbot

Chapter Nine. After The Essay: Travel Literature In The Stillingfleet Controversy / A. Talbot

Chapter Ten. \'A Great And Civilized People\': Locke, China And Materialism / A. Talbot

Chapter Eleven. \'And Knowledge Shall Be Increased\': Bacon, The Royal Society And Travel Literature / A. Talbot

Chapter Twelve. Making The Eye-Witness Authoritative / A. Talbot

Chapter Thirteen. The Enchanted Glass: Early Modern Ethnography / A. Talbot

Chapter Fourteen. Locke And Post colonialism / A. Talbot

Chapter Fifteen. Conclusion / A. Talbot

Appendix 1 / A. Talbot

Appendix 2 / A. Talbot

Bibliography / A. Talbot

Index / A. Talbot.

Notes:

Based on the author's thesis--University of Bolton.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-282-95218-8

9786612952180

90-04-18363-9

OCLC:

695982166

Publisher Number:

10.1163/ej.9789004181151.i-338 DOI