San Antonio College Library

"The Copernican revolution in man's ideas of the structure of the universe, the place of his own earth in it, and the methods and concepts appropriate for studying it is probably the most important turning point in the development of modern science and the European mind. Although Copernicus himself seems hardly to have realised the scope of the upheaval which he was starting, his book On the revolutions of the heavenly spheres, published when he was...

Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan is arguably the greatest piece of political philosophy written in the English language. Written in a time of great political turmoil (Hobbes's life spanned the reign of Charles I, the Civil Wars, the Commonwealth and the Protectorate, and the Restoration), Leviathan is an argument for obedience to authority grounded in an analysis of human nature. For this revised edition Professor Tuck has provided a much-amplified and expanded...

"Martin Del Rio's Investigations into Magic deals not only with magic in all its forms, from the manipulation of angelic and demonic powers to straightforward conjuring and illusion, but also with witchcraft, alchemy, astrology, divination, prophecy, and possession by evil spirits. In addition, Martin Del Rio offers judges and confessors practical advice on the most effective ways of dealing with people who are accused of practising magic, and enlivens...

"One of the greatest works of philosophy, political theory, and literature ever produced, Plato's Republic has shaped Western thought for thousands of years and remains as relevant today as when it was written during the fourth century B.C. Republic begins by posing a central question: "What is justice, and why should we be just, especially when the wicked often seem happier and more successful?" For Plato, the answer lies with the ways people, groups,...

The central principles of what today is broadly-known as political liberalism were made current in large part by Locke's "Second Treatise of Government" (1690). The principles of individual liberty, the rule of law, government by consent of the people, and the right to private property are taken for granted as fundamental to the human condition now. Most liberal theorists writing today look back to Locke as the source of their ideas. Some maintain...

"Edmund Burke PC (12 January [NS] 1729[1]? 9 July 1797) was an Irish statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher, who, after moving to England, served for many years in the House of Commons of Great Britain as a member of the Whig party. He is mainly remembered for his support of the cause of the American Revolutionaries, and for his later opposition to the French Revolution. The latter led to his becoming the leading figure within...