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6 - Yves R. Simon: a philosopher's quest for science and prudence
- By Walter Nicgorski
Edited by Catherine H. Zuckert, University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Book:

Political Philosophy in the Twentieth Century

Published online:

05 June 2012

Print publication:

29 August 2011, pp 91-107
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Summary

Yves R. Simon is sometimes thought to be a rather obscure philosopher, who came somehow, as if it all dropped out of the sky one day, to write a remarkable book on democratic theory. Near the very end of his life, he appeared especially interested in protecting the sphere of practical judgment or prudence from both philosophy and social science. Simon provided some striking formulations that assist his readers in understanding this grand and significant set of relationships and how ultimate science, or metaphysics, can proceed. This chapter sketches Simon's understanding of the nature and object of philosophy, in fact of all science or rational learning. Yves Simon, who had rejected literary approaches to philosophy for system, rigor of demonstration, and assurance, seemed aware all along that the preparation for human action, for prudent human action, required more than the science of philosophy.