The essays are designed to provide a cross-section of current efforts to reconstruct and engage with the views of major figures of the early modern period. Among the topics are Descartes' ontology of the eternal truths, substance and ends in Leibniz, Locke and the creation of the Essay, Hume's explanation of causal inference, and a critique of Kantian sensibility. The contributors are identified only by name. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)