This work investigates the ontological and psychological significance of habit within the philosophical framework of 19th-century French thinker Félix Ravaisson. Mark Sinclair, a scholar specializing in modern European philosophy, examines Ravaisson’s seminal text De l'habitude to reconstruct his theory of nature and human agency. The author argues that Ravaisson’s focus on habit provides a bridge between physical necessity and spiritual freedom, challenging traditional dualistic interpretations of the mind-body relationship. By situating Ravaisson within the broader context of post-Kantian thought, Sinclair demonstrates how the concept of inclination serves as a foundational element for understanding human existence.

Experts recognize this volume as a rigorous academic contribution that clarifies the often-overlooked influence of Ravaisson on subsequent phenomenological traditions. Readers frequently note the high level of technical density in the prose, which assumes a foundational knowledge of 19th-century metaphysical terminology.