The Lost World of Thomas JeffersonIn this classic work by one of America's most distinguished historians, Daniel Boorstin enters into Thomas Jefferson's world of ideas. By analysing writings of 'the Jeffersonian Circle,' Boorstin explores concepts of God, nature, equality, toleration, education and government in order to illuminate their underlying world view. The Lost World of Thomas Jefferson demonstrates why on the 250th anniversary of his birth, this American leader's message has remained relevant to our national crises and grand concerns. "The volume is too subtle, too rich in ideas for anyone to do justice to it in brief summary, too heavily documented and too carefully wrought for anyone to dismiss its thesis. . . . It is a major contribution not only to Jefferson studies but to American intellectual history. . . . All who work in the history of ideas will find themselves in Mr. Boorstin's debt."—Richard Hofstadter, South Atlantic Monthly |
Contents
1 The Influence of America on the Mind | 3 |
2 The Jeffersonian Circle | 8 |
THE SUPREME WORKMAN | 27 |
1 Nature as the Work of Art | 30 |
2 The Economy of Nature | 41 |
3 The Apotheosis of Nature | 54 |
THE EQUALITY OF THE HUMAN SPECIES | 57 |
1 The Adaptability of Man | 61 |
4 The Moral Sense and the Life of Action | 140 |
5 Jeffersonian Christianity | 151 |
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF A NEW SOCIETY | 167 |
1 Natural History and Political Science | 171 |
2 The Use of Government | 186 |
3 A Philosophy of Rights | 194 |
4 The Sovereignty of the Present Generation | 204 |
5 The Quest for Useful Knowledge | 213 |
2 The Dispersion of the Human Species | 68 |
the Indian and the Negro | 81 |
4 The Fulfillment of Human Equality | 98 |
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THOUGHT AND MORALS | 109 |
1 The Mode of Action Called Thinking | 112 |
2 The Happy Variety of Minds | 119 |
3 The Perils of Metaphysics | 128 |
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Abbé Raynal action actually Age of Reason American philosopher ancient argument believe Benjamin Smith Barton body brain cause Christianity common continent Creator David Rittenhouse declared destined discover diseases divine doctrine earth economy of nature environment Europe evil example existence explained facts faith fersonian happiness human equality human species ibid ideas Inquiry institutions intellectual Introductory Lectures Jeffer Jeffersonian circle Jeffersonian thought Jesus John Adams language laws Linnaeus living mammoth man's mankind material ment metaphysical mind moral faculty moral sense nations natural history Negro never Noah Webster Notes on Virginia observed original Paine Peale peculiar Philadelphia Philosophical Society physical plants Priestley principle religion remarked Rittenhouse Rush Rush's Samuel Stanhope Smith seemed slavery social sonian spirit surely theology Thomas Paine tion Trans universe University of Virginia variety virtue vols whole William Dunbar Writings Notes Writings Rights
Popular passages
Page iv - And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God ? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?