Historical Ontology

The use of history by philosophers is the overarching theme in this University of Toronto philosophy professor's collection of essays, Historical Ontology. Ian Hacking (The Social Construction of What?), who also holds the chair of philosophy and history of scientific concepts at the College de France, wrote these academic papers, book reviews and articles between 1973 and 1999. Many of them address Michel Foucault's mingling of history and philosophy, particularly in The Order of Things. Hacking also includes pieces on the role of dreams in philosophy, the proofs of Leibniz and Descartes, and a survey of Wittgenstein's work. (Apr.)