Reason's children

by Anthony Krupp

"We still know little of childhood in early modern European thought. By reconstructing philosophies of childhood in the works of rationalists not known to have reflected upon children, Reason's Children expands our understanding of philosophical reflection on childhood in early modern Europe. Central aspects of early modern philosophical systems Descartes's prejudice and method, Leibniz's divine justice, Wolff's rationality, Baumgarten's aesthetic cognition - are reexamined in light of the peripheral status of childhood in their works. Furthermore, Krupp carefully examines the various children of Locke's Essay, most of whom have been neglected in histories of childhood. Beyond illustrating the blank slate thesis, Locke's children play other significant roles as well: as not-yet persons, as deficient speakers, and as changelings. The absence of Locke's actual statements concerning children from the intellectual history of childhood is a wrong that here finds some redress." "This erudite