As a result of the unique position held by The Netherlands during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, "The Dictionary of Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Dutch Philosophers" constitutes an anthology of European thought at large. In this 200-year period of the Dutch Republic, its people experienced a Golden Age in the arts, in sea trade and in philosophy that left a lasting impression on European culture. The Dutch witnessed nothing less than a philosophical revolution, driven to a large extent by the emigres from France, Finland, Portugal, Britain, Switzerland, Germany and elsewhere, who provided the Golden Age with its thinkers. Included are all foreign thinkers (such as Rene Descartes and Pierre Bayle) who exercised a major influence on the philosophical life of the Dutch Republic and who developed their ideas through interaction with other philosophers residing there. Previously neglected thinkers are included alongside well-known figures such as Benedict Spinoza. Each entry includes a bibliography listing the subject's major and minor philosophical writings and giving guidance to further reading.
A system of cross-references makes it easy for the reader to pursue connections and influences. This unique dictionary features entries on Dutch universities, city academies, publishing houses and journals. A key research source, it will also include maps, portraits and title-page facsimiles.