Rationalism and Anti-Rationalism in the Origins of Economics. The Philosophical Roots of Eighteenth Century Economic Thought.

`. . . I can strongly recommend this short book to anyone with a serious interest in eighteenth century economics.' -- Anthony Brewer, History of Economic Thought Newsletter `Recommended for graduate and faculty collections.' -- R.S. Hewett, Choice `This is a scholarly and intelligent book and will be authoritative in its field.' -- Athol Fitzgibbons, History of Economics Review `In this attractive and generally well-written book Coleman traces the philosophical clash between rationalism and anti-rationalism in eighteenth-century thought (largely in French and British works) and seeks to detect its influence on the emerging discipline of political economy.' -- Ian Steedman, The Manchester School `He [Coleman] has dealt insightfully with certain conflictual foundations of both eighteenth century and present-day economics, the latter especially in the last ten pages or so of the book. Indeed, Coleman has a quite perceptive and discerning intellect. He brilliantly if controversially, deconstructs and interprets the history of economic thought, and the work of particular writers, in terms of rationalism versus and combined with anti-rationalism.' -- Warren J. Samuels, Michigan State University, US