In The Wisdom of the West (Part II): Modern and Contemporary Philosophy, Bertrand Russell explores how social transformations and technological advances affected the nature of philosophical thinking from the Middle Ages to the modern era. The book begins with the end of the Dark Age and the emergence of a new era, where rational thought and empirical thought converged in a renewed philosophical framework. Russell shows how the Italian Renaissance movement and Martin Luther's reforms resulted in philosophies suited to the complexities of new life, stressing the influence of great philosophers such as Descartes and Spinoza, who laid the foundations of rational thought. It also highlights the role of John Locke in emphasizing experience as a means of understanding the world, and how Kant came to blend these two intellectual currents. The book also addresses the Enlightenment movement in France and the Romantic responses to issues of art and expression. Immerse yourself in this exciting account of modern Western philosophy, as Russell shows how the ideas of Western thought were shaped and influenced society and civilization.