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Philosophy plays an integral role in French society, affecting its art, drama, politics, and culture.In this accessible, chronological survey, Matthews offers some explanations for the enduring popularity of the subject and traces the developments that French philosophy has taken in the twentieth century, from its roots in the thought of Descartes to key figures such as Bergson, Sartre, Marcel, Merleau-Ponty, Foucault, Derrida, and the recent French Feminists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good source for generarl information on the topic
I read this book having already a knowledge of some of the philosophers included.I found the book to be a very important introduction to the ones that I had not read.

In particular, I think that the section on Bergson was appropriately respectful and the explanation of Sartre's "Bad Faith" was excellent.Also, the last two chapters (on Poststructuralism and Recent French Feminism) were clearly written (and these modern topics are in desperate need of clarity).

This type of book is, to me, important not only for giving the reader general information about a topic, but also for finding others (in this case philosophers) who we may not have been aware of, and we may be interested in reading more of, and of their works themselves.Personally, I found myself more interested in Levinas than I had been previously.

I do have some criticisms of the book.There is an obvious slant in the book away from Sartre and in favor of Merleau-Ponty.At times, the criticisms seem unfair.Also, I find the criticisms of Camus (he "was not, in the technical sense, a philosopher at all") to be anti-continental (in a book which is trying to bridge the gap!).Finally, I find problems in the later chapters (about Derrida and co.) in the sections in which the author critically analyzes the philosophers.Matthews' arguments, at that point, seem poor in general and one-dimentional.

Even though there are some problems, I do strongly recommend this book.Matthews has done a fine job with his choice of philosophers, choice of format & length, and choice of level of clarity.

Good for college students
This book will provide an great inroduction for those new in the subject of modern philosohpy (in particular French), and as well as an great analysis on some of the ideas of the philosophers mentioned. Its really geared for the philosophy student as reference and notes. If you can't read the agonizingly long "Being and Nothingness," the summarization done by the author in this novel should work as a fine subsiutute. ... Read more

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Although this collection of articles is not formally a commentary on Elizabeth Anscombe's famous article of the same title, in which she criticized the moral philosophy prevalent in 1958, a number of the contributors consider Anscombe's work as a starting point. The collection can be interpreted as a demonstration of the extent to which moral philosophers have since attempted to respond to Anscombe's challenge, and to develop an approach to their subject which is neither based on divine law nor permissive of the impermissible. ... Read more

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In the first systematic study of the philosophy of Thomas Nagel, Alan Thomas discusses Nagel's contrast between the "subjective" and the "objective" points of view throughout the various areas of his wide ranging philosophy. Nagel's original and distinctive contrast between the subjective view and our aspiration to a "view from nowhere" within metaphysics structures the chapters of the book. A "new Humean" in epistemology, Nagel takes philosophical scepticism to be both irrefutable and yet to indicate a profound truth about our capacity for self-transcendence. The contrast between subjective and objective views is then considered in the case of the mind, where consciousness proves to be the central aspect of mind that contemporary theorising fails to acknowledge adequately. The second half of the book analyses Nagel's work on moral and political philosophy where he has been most deeply influential.Topics covered include the contrast between agent-relative and agent-neutral reasons and values, Nagel's distinctive version of a hybrid ethical theory, his discussion of life's meaningfulness and finally his sceptical arguments about whether a liberal society can reconcile the conflicting moral demands of self and other. ... Read more

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This study provides a unified theory of properties, relations, and propositions (PRPs).Two conceptions of PRPs have emerged in the history of philosophy.The author explores both of these traditional conceptions and shows how they can be captured by a single theory. ... Read more

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In A History of Philosophy in the Twentieth Century, Christian Delacampagne reviews the discipline's divergent and dramatic course and shows that its greatest figures, even the most unworldly among them, were deeply affected by events of their time. From Ludwig Wittgenstein, whose famous Tractatus was actually composed in the trenches during World War I, to Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger -- one who found himself barred from public life with Hitler's coming to power, the other a member of the Nazi party who later refused to repudiate German war crimes. From Bertrand Russell, whose lifelong pacifism led him to turn from logic and mathematics to social and moral questions, and Jean-Paul Sartre, who made philosophy an occasion for direct and personal political engagement, to Rudolf Carnap, a committed socialist, and Karl Popper, a resolute opponent of Communism. From the Vienna Circle and the Frankfurt School to the contemporary work of philosophers as variously minded as Jacques Derrida, Jürgen Habermas, and Hilary Putnam. The thinking of these philosophers, and scores of others, cannot be understood without being placed in the context of the times in which they lived.

Customer Reviews (4)

History of Philosphy
This is a textbook for a philosophy class.It is full of very pertinent information , however, I found it an extremely difficult read.

A Useful History of (the politics) of 20th Century Philosophy
This is a useful history of 20th century philosophy but it has its flaws and limitations.

Delacampagne is not reliable about analytic philosophy.He makes several errors and misrepresentations (many minor ones like calling Russell's classic article "On Denotation" p.34--its title is "On Denoting"--but others are more serious) and omissions--e.g. there is almost no discussion of Quine and none of Davidson, Kripke, or David Lewis.He also makes errors about historical figures--e.g. he describes Berkeley as a solipsist (p. 31).Delacampagne's discussions of the Tractatus and Rorty were okay and useful.

Fortunately the main emphasis of the book is on 20th century Continental philosophy about which the author seems to be quite knowledgeable and actively familiar.He also seems to be very interested in and familiar with 20th century Jewish philosophy.

I found particularly valuable and useful Delacampagne's discussion of Heidegger, and especially his exposing Heidegger's Nazism and the reactionary aspects of his philosophy.I also found quite illuminating the author's discussions of structuralism, anti-structuralism, the ideas of Gadamer, Habermas, and Derrida.

Delacampagne's basic orientation is a sort of highly evolved Marxism and he devotes much of his book to describing infighting among various factions of French philosophy, both pro- and anti-Marxist.In a way this book could almost be titled:A History of the Politics of 20th Century Philosophy.

This book assumes some background in philosophy--there are many unexplained references.Also it is translated from the French and in places the English is a bit tough to follow.

Excellent survey
Delacampagne's survey of this century's major philosophical thinkers is impressive in its breadth. The author effectively integrates the ideas of each era and sometime sacrifices chronology to present threads of influence through the century. At times, the author seems oversympathetic to the left; he spends more space on them and is less critical of their ideas. He is not fawning towards the left, however, so he did not entirely lose credibility with me.

This book is specifically aimed at people who have already been introduced to the major themes of philosophy. Overall, I would recommend this book, since I know of no others that attempt to survey twentieth-century philosophy.

20th century philosophy
An unusually lucid exposition of 20th century events in philosophy, logic, and politically related events.Extremely wide scope - there is nothing significant that is not in the index. I read French and this is a flawlesstranslation. ... Read more

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Selected from the works of J. N. Mohanty over a forty-year period, these essays provide an intellectual biography of the man and insights into Eastern philosophy. Part I brings together various writings on problems in metaphysics, epistemology, and language, alongwith thoughtful treatments of notions such as experience, self consciousness, doubt, tradition, and modernity. Part II collects essays written during the exciting though turbulent years following India's independence, and they survey issues in social ethics, reform activities, and religion in the works of Aurobindo, Gandhi, Vinobha, and Ramohan Roy. Part III comprises essays that treat the encounter between phenomenology and philosophy, between Eastern and Western philosophy, and does so through an incisive analysis of the major concerns of philosophy anywhere. The collection concludes with ruminations on the future of Indian philosophy. ... Read more

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Kierkegaard is widely regarded as the "father of existentialism" although his influence can be observed across the spectrum of twentieth century continental philosophy and philosophy of religion. Fear and Trembling is his most compelling and popular work and is heralded as a benchmark in twentieth century philosophy.

The Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Kierkegaard and Fear and Trembling examines the major themes that arise in this classic work of religious and existential philosophy. It also explores the broader aspects of Kierkegaard's influence on philosophy as a whole. The book assumes no previous knowledge of Kierkegaard's work and will be essential reading for any student studying the ideas of this important thinker. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very Good Companion to the Actual Work
This is not the first Routledge Philosophy Guidebook that I have read. However, this is the first one that I have read along with the actual work. I read the actual work and then read that portion of the Guidebook that dealt with that part of the actual work that I just read.

I found this book to be very good in explaining what I just read.The actual work is not easy to follow and it does take someone who knows the work to explain it in much greater and clearer detail.Mr. Lippitt does just that.He also gives other points of view from other scholars which is a good idea.

If you are looking to read Fear and Trembling but need help in interpreting what is going on, this is a very good source.Mr. Lippitt does a very good job in explaining the difference between the "Knight of Infinite Resignation" and the "Knight of Faith".This was a very difficult concept for me to grasp from the actual work but I did get it after reading the Guidebook.

This book is worth the price so as to better understand a classic piece of philosophical and religious writing.The reason for the 4 star rating is that I have not read other interpreations of Fear and Trembling so I did not yet want to give it a 5 star rating.

disappointing
I was really unimpressed by Lippitt's Guide of Fear and trembling. I thought he misinterpreted a lot of it and was way too into trying to express the ideas in this book through logic even though Johannes spends considerable time trying to distance himself from systematic philosophy and abstract principles (at least in regards to faith). Lippitt's book was almost as difficult to read as the original Fear and Trembling. I'd avoid this book, it really wasnt worth the money. ... Read more

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A HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY examines the nature of philosophical enterprise and philosophy's role in Western culture. Jones and Fogelin weave key passages from classic philosophy works into their comments and criticisms, giving A HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY the combined advantages of a source book and textbook. The text concentrates on major figures in each historical period, combining exposition with direct quotations from the philosophers themselves. The text places philosophers in appropriate cultural context and shows how their theories reflect the concerns of their times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Received book in great shape!
Thanks for sending this used book in such good condition.It was, as advertised, like new, and the price was great.

Even more modern...
This book, 'The Twentieth Century to Quine and Derrida', is the revised fifth volume of a five-volume series on the history of Western Philosophy by W.T. Jones, professor of philosophy in California.For this edition of the fifth volume, Robert Fogelin helped in the recent revision.This series is a very strong, thorough introduction to the course of Western Philosophy, beginning at the dawn of the philosophical enterprise with the pre-Socratics in ancient Greece to the modern thinkers such as Wittgenstein and Sartre.It has grown, over the three decades or so of its publication, from one to four then to five volumes.It has remained a popular text, and could serve as the basis of a one-year survey of philosophy for undergraduates or a one-semester survey for graduate students.Even advanced students in philosophy will find this valuable, all major topics and most minor topics in the course of philosophy are covered in these volumes.

Jones states that there are two possible ways for a writer to organise a history of philosophy -- either by addressing everyone who ever participated in philosophy (which could become rather cumbersome if one accepts the premise that anyone could be a philosopher), or to address the major topics and currents of thought, drawing in the key figures who address them, but leaving out the lesser thinkers for students to pursue on their own.Jones has chosen the latter tactic, making sure to provide bibliographic information for this task.

This volume, 'The Twentieth Century to Quine and Derrida', starts where the last volume leaves off, as philosophy enters the turbulent twentieth century.The first major philosophical school Jones looks at is the idea of Process philosophy, which tends to take a nod from science and modern ideas of how we know things, and a realistic idea of what we do not, and perhaps cannot, know.Process philosophy often tends to get ignored now, save in theological circles, where the work of Whitehead have been taken on board.

Other philosophers covered in this volume on the twentieth century include Dewey, Bergson, Moore, Frege, Russell, Husserl, Heidegger, Sartre, Wittgenstein, Quine and Derrida.One of the primary fields of philosophy is epistemology -- how we know what we know, and do we know anything?All major philosophers have dealt with this, as metaphysics tended to take a back seat, and fields such as politics, ethics, and religion retreated to the background, at least as far as philosophy is concerned (the fields of political theory, etc., gained much ground in the twentieth century as separate from philosophy).

Wittgenstein is the point at which Jones opted to end the series originally, as it becomes difficult, from an historical standpoint, to decide what of the past few decades should be incorporated.Philosophy is a slow-moving enterprise, and the 'hot' publications and thinkers today may fade quickly tomorrow, so predicting who will stand the test of time is difficult.Wittgenstein is also an appropriate philosopher to end with, given that when he wrote his magnum opus, the Tractatus, he thought he had finally resolved all major philosophical problems; reflecting later in life, he realised he was not correct, and this in and of itself may represent the embodiment of the philosophical project.However, as this volume shows, enough time has passed to make the explorations of language itself as a medium of philosophy an important part of the philosophical discipline, necessitating the addition of chapters on language and the philosophers Quine and Derrida (others who might have been included are Paul Ricoeur, among others).

Each volume ends with a glossary of terms, and a worthwhile index.The glossary warns against short, dictionary-style definitions and answers to broad terms and questions, and thus indicates the pages index-style to the discussion within the text for further context.The one wish I would have would be a comprehesive glossary and index that covers the several volumes; as it is, each volume has only its own referents.

This is minor criticism in a generally exceptional series.It is not easy text, but it is not needlessly difficult.The print size on the direct quotes, which are sometimes lengthy, can be a strain at times, but the reading is worthwhile.

An excellent synthesis of philosophy and history
This book is wonderful, as are all in the series by Jones. He makes philosophy come alive by placing it in the context of it's contemporaneous civilization. The great questions asked by humanity, to which philosophy addresses itself, do not come out of thin air (please excuse the cliche.) These questions are born of the search for meaning, whether it be metaphysical, epistemological, ontological, ethical, political, or so forth. The sociocultural and political milieu beg questions of meaning and truth to each generation and individual, and each must answer for themselves. Jones places twentieth century philosophy in perspective. He scrutinizes, defines and explains the great philosophical movements of our century in the context of the times. The trauma of two world wars, the challenges of scientific discovery, the alienation of the individual, the seeming futility to grasp ultimate reality are inherent in our culture, and our great philosophers have attempted to formulate theories to make sense of these phenomena. A great book which puts flesh and breath into philosophy. ... Read more

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Did the universe originate from a 'big bang' as argued by leading astrophysicists and others? Or does some other theory more accurately describe its beginnings? Are there other forms of life in our universe? What about other universes? Was our universe specially formed to support life? Does our universe have a purpose?What are the conditions under which life begins, evolves, and how does it become extinct? These questions propel "Modern Cosmology & Philosophy" as the leading text in this hotly debated area where science and philosophy meet. Edited with an introduction by noted scholar John Leslie, this volume offers superb selections on modern cosmology, relativistic theories of the universe, the Big Bang, the problem of God and creation, cosmology and verifiability, coincidences, origins and evolution, multiple universe theories, infinity, chaos, life forms, the end of time, and the limits of our knowledge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A very decent volume
This collection edited by John Leslie is a good addition to more thoroughfare "Philosophy of Religion"-type texts. In this text you'll find an assortment of well-known intellectuals who have contributed to the discussion of the problems for years; you'll also find material not found elsewhere. I recommend this text but also recommend it is supplemented with a broader volume focusing not only on cosmological arguments but also arguments of ontology and teleology.

How convenient; arrogance and stupidity wrapped in one!
I won't even get started on how poorly this book was written. Alas, such a book shouldn't really be judged on things such as grammar and syntax. It should however be judged on how insightful it is, the author's understanding of basic principles, and fair coverage of both sides of each debate. This book FAILS in all those regards. I must admit it is quite humorous to read Leslie state the obvious and act like he's just discovered a remarkable fact and is enlightening the world. I must say it's scary and disturbing that my school actually made me read this.

An interesting survey of philosophical cosmology
Very interesting reading written by experts in their fields. One criticism is that there should have been more discussion of unresolved issues. ... Read more

Product Description
"Modern" philosophy in the West is said to have begun with Bacon and Descartes.Their methodological and metaphysical writings, in conjunction with the discoveries that marked the seventeenth-century scientific revolution, are supposed to have interred both Aristotelian and scholastic science and the philosophy that supported it.But did the new or "modern" philosophy effect a complete break with what preceded it?Were Bacon and Descartes untainted by scholastic influences?The theme of this book is that the new and traditional philosophies have much more in common than the orthodox account suggests. The contributors consider not only modernity in metaphysics and the sciences but also the claims of Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Spinoza to have invented "modern" ethics and politics.These two aspects of "modernity" in philosophy are connected for the first time. The book offers a broad view of the early modern philosophers, covering not only the much-studied major figures but also relatively neglected writers: Mersenne, Gassendi, White, and Sergeant. ... Read more

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Pure: Modernity, Philosophy, and the One is an experimental work of philosophy in which the author aspires to think his way back to a "premodern" worldview derived from the philosophical tradition of Platonism. To this end he attempts to identify and elucidate the fundamental intellectual assumptions of modernity and to subject these assumptions to a critical evaluation from the perspective of Platonic metaphysics. The author addresses a broad range of subjects - from ethics, politics, metaphysics, and science to the philosophies of Plato, Plotinus, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche - without losing sight of the single aim of formulating a premodern perspective in opposition to modernity. The work culminates in a series of essays on the practice of purification, a form of intellectual and spiritual discipline acknowledged by ancient and medieval philosophers alike to be a necessary preliminary to metaphysical insight. Pure is informed throughout by rigorous scholarship, but it is not an "academic" work. The author avoids the plodding and professorial tone typical of contemporary philosophical research in favor of a meditative and aphoristic style. The book, in short, is learned without being pedantic. Readers interested in the history of philosophy and the intellectual roots of the crisis of modernity will find in Pure substantial matter for reflection. ... Read more

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Kant's Critique of Judgment has often been interpreted by scholars as comprising separate treatments of three uneasily connected topics: beauty, biology, and empirical knowledge. Rachel Zuckert's book interprets the Critique as a unified argument concerning all three domains. She argues that on Kant's view, human beings demonstrate a distinctive cognitive ability in appreciating beauty and understanding organic life: an ability to anticipate a whole that we do not completely understand according to preconceived categories. This ability is necessary, moreover, for human beings to gain knowledge of nature in its empirical character as it is, not as we might assume it to be. Her wide-ranging and original study will be valuable for readers in all areas of Kant's philosophy. ... Read more

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The comic book superheroes — Superman, Batman, the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four, X-Men, and many others — have proved to be a powerful and enduring thread in popular culture, a rich source of ideas for moviemakers, novelists, and philosophers. Superheroes and Philosophy brings together 16 leading philosophers and some of the most creative people in the world of comics, from storywriters to editors to critics, to examine the deeper issues that resonate from the hyperbolic narratives and superhuman actions of this heroic world. The comic book narratives of superheroes wrestle with profound and disturbing issues in original ways: the definitions of good and evil, the limits of violence as an efficacious means, the perils of enforcing justice outside the law, the metaphysics of personal identity, and the definition of humanity. The book also features original artwork specially commissioned from some of the most popular of today's comic book artists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Considerations on the Relationship Between Philosophy and Pop Culture
A solid anthology of essays Featuring some 21 different authors but not outstanding.

For me some of the better essays came near the end with a solid but too short discussion of the multidimensionality of time travel and essays by Richard Hanley and the essays by Kevin Kinghorn. and Tom Morrison the nature of identity. James South's essay on "Barbara Gordon and Moral Perfectionism" was also a high point giving me a much deeper insight into the character than I had before.

On the other hand the essays on the Catholicism of Matt Murdoch/Daredevil or the Fantastic Four as a family unit seemed quite journeyman and mundane and the piece discussing Watchmen which seemed not much more than a plot summary. Jeff Brenzel's essay "Why are Superhero's Good" in the section on morality was interesting in its linking Plato's "Ring of Gyges" from Plato's Republic to the temptations of having superpowers and the trepidation of the characters in the Lord of the Rings towards the titular ring, a connection I'd never made but does not seem to go much further than say the Good and Evil are no much more than choices.

I'd recommend this for a library read but not for purchase unless you have a themed collection. For someone with a beginner's background in philosophy and an interest in recent renditions of classic comics this might make a nice gift.I rate it 3 1/2 stars.

In a similar vein Irecommend Superman on the Couch: What Superheroes Really Tell Us About Ourselves and Our Society by Danny Fingeroth.

Missed The Boat
This one just didn't do it for me.I have enjoyed 2-3 of the authors and some of Morris' work in the past, but this one fell flat. There is some heavy repetition in my mind amongst the collection of essays, super hero characters are repeatedly analyzed, and frankly I felt in a number of cases this book challenged me to take it seriously.If you are a big comic fan, pass, and if you are a big fan of Tom Morris, pass.

Thought provoking but limited
This book inspired me to ponder several concepts, but the views expressed as the chapter conclusions were often scantily supported.The book delved into some interesting topics such as identity and what it means to be moral, but several chapters were based on only one or two superhero characters or even one specific example from the superhero world.The book veered into religious philosophy more often than was warranted given the subject matter.I'm glad that I read this due to some insights it gave me into a few characters (esp. Batman and Superman), but I was disappointed due to the great potential a book of this nature could have.Superheroes and Philosophy is probably the only book based on the combination of these two loves of mine, so I am glad that I bought it.However, there are deeper volumes of the popular culture and philosophy series.

"Superman and Batman are the Plato and Aristotle of the comic-book world."
"Superman and Batman are the Plato and Aristotle of the comic-book world." (262).

If you agree with this, if you understand it, and if you find it both funny and accurate, then get this book.

*

I'm a fan of the "Philosophy And" series.Philosophy lurks everywhere, if we have our eyes open.Additionally, Neil Postman in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business makes the case that television is a form of epistemology. The same holds true for comic books.Since epistemology is a branch of philosophy, and comic books are a means of epistemology, then they demand our attention.

The book is a fun romp, with serendipitous discoveries. If you are a fan of such things, they buy this book.

However, I would rate most of the essays about a B+, or an A-. They are interesting, but many times the authors fall into a methodological trap.Philosophy can be defined two ways.One is the study of what people have said about things.The other is the love of wisdom. Too often the authors seem to take ideas and quotes to bolster their points.And they are very good at compare and contrast. But for wisdom, especially the love of wisdom, this is lacking.

Chapter 17 on the identify question which uses the Hulk/Banner as a case study, ignores multiple personality disorders.For a good discussion of time travel, read Chapter 18 by Richard Hanley.

Part of the problem has to do with the structure.They should have begun with metaphysics.Chapter 1 should be an overview along with 11 on comic book wisdom. Chapter 2 should be chapter 1, and the followed by all of Part 4.Part 3 on moral duty should come next, followed by the existential discussions in part 2. Lastly, focus on the image of a hero and secretidentities.

On thing that surprised me is that so much morality traces itself back to the so-called God Hypothesis.Read "God, the Devil, and Matt Murdock," then chapters 12-16.The question raised (taking the lead from Socrates and Gyges's Ring), that if a powerful person can get away with evil, why not?Or from Republic Book 2 (Great Dialogues of Plato (Signet Classics), 158ff), compare an evil person who masks his evil with a good person who is labeled as evil, and they die that way.Why be good, if such a thing could conceivably happen.Although they do not mention him, this is the life of Job (Consider My Servant Job).

The conclusion of the various authors is that yes, you can get away it. And we find that disturbing. The only way to account for that is either Natural Law, or Divine Justice.Barring that, we should not be good.Which is absurd.

*

The prophet Job asked, "But where shall wisdom be found?" (Job 28:12). Apparently, one place is in comic books.

Short, varied essays make for an entertaining look at Philosophy
I picked this book up from the library with the thought of skimming over it; however, once I started, I literally couldn't put it down! It's an entertaining and thought-provoking collection of essays on super heroes in TV, movies and comics, their ethics, responsibilities, lack of religion, and more. The various essayists do a great job of comparing classical ideas from Plato, Aristotle, Pascal, the Bible, Kierkegaard and more, and their impact on the imaginary world of super heroes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Life Changing
This is, perhaps, one of the most important books written of the decade (90s). At the "end of the modern age" and the deconstructionist movement, this book explains what should happen "after the deconstruction takes place". This argument for a pan-experiential world view finds common ground between the vitalism of the pre-modern age and the determinism of the modern age. The dynamic synthesis leads one to anticipate, with excitement a re-constructive age where all experience is embraced; the scientific and verifiable built on the heart of the spirit. This work anticipates that aesthetics will take center stage in the new age. Read it, savour it, treasure it!

Superb overview of the history of process thought.
David Ray Griffin's essay on Hartshorne is more than worth the price of the book all by itself. ... Read more

Product Description
This book traces the linguistic turns in the history of modern philosophy and the development of the philosophy of language from Locke to Wittgenstein.It examines the contributions of canonical figures such as Leibniz, Mill, Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Austin, Quine, and Davidson, as well as those of Condillac, Humboldt, Chomsky, and Derrida.Michael Losonsky argues that the philosophy of language begins with Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding and demonstrates how the history of the philosophy of language in the modern period is marked by a split between formal and pragmatic perspectives on language, which modern philosophy has not been able to integrate. ... Read more

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“Between the earliest and the latest of the works included here, we have two hundred and fifty years of vigorous and adventurous philosophizing,” Monroe Beardsley writes in his Introduction to this collection. “If the modern period can be only vaguely or arbitrarily bounded, it can at least be studied, and we can ask whether any dominant themes, overall patterns of movement, or notable achievements can be found within it. This question is one that is best asked by the reader after he has read, or read around in, these works.”

This Modern Library Paperback Classic also includes a newly updated Bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A worthwhile collection...
The volume 'The European Philosophers: from Descartes to Nietzsche', edited by Monroe C. Beardsley, together with its companion volume from the Modern Library, 'The English Philosophers: from Bacon to Mill', edited by Edwin A. Burtt, provides a good basic collection of the major philosophical writings of the post-Renaissance to the immediate pre-Modern period -- in essence, that period that many people think of as being 'our cultural history' in intellectual terms.

The text on the European Philosophers includes many of the major philosophers from the late sixteenth century to the nineteenth century. Each of the philosophers is introduced with a brief one-to-two page biography, but by and large the editor allows the philosophers' own writings to speak for themselves. Each biographical section ends with a supplemental/suggested reading section that is worthwhile if now a bit out of date.Where possible, Beardsley has opted to include whole texts, or at least major portions of them, and the selections are much more generous than the typical survey would be. The large sections of majors works are supplemented by briefer passages that help clarify key points along the way.The translations are standard and accessible.

This survey shows the breadth of thinking that concerned the European philosophers - metaphysics and epistemology are high on the list of important topics throughout the period, as is philosophical methodology (from Descartes beginnings to Liebniz to Nietzsche, many of the Europeans seemed to be concerned to 'reinvent' philosophy in major ways).Ethics and politics take more of a back seat in many respects, particularly when compared to the English philosophers over the same period, but there are major contributions to this field, particularly near the
end.

Beardsley's essay of introduction is an interesting discussion of the development of European philosophy, showing the individuality of each of the twelve major thinkers presented here, as well as the overall trends and underlying worldview they share.Beardsley traces three primary ways in which European philosophy of this period can be considered - an expressionistic approach, an historical approach, and a progressive approach.Beardsley's compilation of texts here requires no particular approach to the exclusion of others, but the reader will be well advised to
consider how each of the approaches applies to the overall pattern in the collection.

This is not a book about philosophy as much as it is a book of philosophy -- there are few guides or notes or explanatory pieces here, save the actual texts themselves from the major philosophers. Both volumes from the Modern Library are worthy of a place on the shelf of anyone with an interest in politics, philosophy, or the history of ideas.

Indispensable
This generous compilation of major works from the principle players in modern European (non-British) philosophy remains the one-volume sourcebook for every undergrad who has to write a paper and, more substantially, everyone who wants a real nose-to-the-grindstone encounter with the major philosophers.Spinoza, Kant, Rousseau, and Nietzsche are represented by substantial, and judicious, abridgments of major works (the "Ethics", "Critique of Pure Reason", "Social Contract", and "Beyond Good and Evil" respectively), while Descartes' entire "Meditations", the famous "Discourse on Metaphysics" and "Monadology" of Leibnitz, and the Introduction to "The Philosophy of History" of Hegel (which essentially comprises a book unto itself) are complete.Schopenhauer's "The World as Will and Idea" is also given about eighty pages, and the seldom-seen Fichte leaves a powerful mark with the Third Part of the "Vocation of Man".Fleeting but powerful selections from Pascal provide the dissent from the Age of Reason. Comte and Mach are, at least by my prejudices, footnotes today (their offerings, particularly the latter's, remain mostly unthumbed), but appendices of brief selections from Descartes, Spinoza, Leibnitz, Kant, Hegel, and Nietzsche offer further elucidations of some of their key concepts and arguments (this volume makes for a particularly good introduction to Descartes and Kant).The brief editorial prefaces are also noteworthy both for their keen appreciations of each philosopher's contributions (the tone is always sober but generous-- sober indeed largely because of the editors' awareness of just how much we owe to these thinkers) and for very full catalogs of available editions of the philosophers's works in English and of scholarly examinations of their lives and work.To put it banally, this is one-stop shopping for the Descartes-to-Nietzsche block of post-Renaissance thinking.And the spine on my copy has proved surprisingly enduring-- despite being blown off a truck, left in a hostile dormitory for over a month, and constant perusal, it has remained largely intact, though I'm about to lose a few pages of Spinoza.After ten years, this is saying a lot.

A Good Collection of Philosophical Writings
This is, of course, a compilation of European philosophers. The book is 870 pages long and contains parts or entire works from famous theologians such as Descartes, Pascal, Spinoza, Leibniz, Kant, Fichte, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Comte, Mach, and Nietzsche. Most of the primary works of these men (at least in part or in their entirety) are present in this work. Each philosopher covered is given a nice introduction describing his life, works, etc. The works are translated quite well. This book would be a great edition to add to anyone's philosophy collection, especially since it is a collection of primary works. Some of the works that are included are Descartes' "Discourse on Method," Pascal's "Thoughts," Spinoza's "Nature of Evil," Leibniz's "Relation Between Soul and Body," Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason," Hegel's "Intro to the Philosophy of History," Comte's "General View of Positivism," Nietzsche's "Beyond Good and Evil," and much, much more. If you are wanting a collection of philosophical writings then this is one of the better texts to add to your library.

"Beneficial Resourse For An Overview of European Thought"
This book is a wonderful resource for aquiring a much more profound idea of the most renkowned thinkers of the modern era.The contents of this book includes twelve great thinkers, within the span of two-hundred and fifty years, and their ideals of the world around them.

The author has selected these individuals due to the diversity of their philisophical world-views.Just look at the likes of Rene`Descartes in comparison with the eccentricity of Mr. Friedrich Nietzsche.One of course, would see that these two are extreme contraries, thus engendering an induction of pure thought from these contrary opinions, which in turn you as the reader may attain new insights resulting in a possible thesis or anti-thesis of your own.Then their are those who share simalar ideas such as Kant, Hegel, and Descsartes.They all hold that innate thought is to be venerated as the sole good of the world.Whereas an Empericist or Materialist would rather adhere to the product of nature to find the meaning of this chaotic earth.Any way you look at it all of their views are to be reverred and worthy of thought.

With the absence of a few great philosophers of that period, I was left just a little dissapointed, but the intuitiveness and profoundity of this work has left me invigorated.So if you would like to get to know these great thinkers all little more inthis miraculous compilement of thought, pick up a copy today.

Excellent survey
This volume has two wonderful aspects, it contains the primary philosophical thought of the most important modern European philosophers (excepting the British Empiricists, such as Locke, Berkeley and theincomparable David Hume), and it is published by the Modern Library.Thisbook is hardback, well binded and printed on good paper that stands up tounderlining and margin scribbling.For a real hoot, read Kant's serious,calculated, sober and nearly incomprehensible philosophy, and then readNietzsche with all his ! 's at the end of virtually every sentence. Wonderful. ... Read more

Product Description
Analytic philosophy is roughly a hundred years old, and it is now the dominant force within Western philosophy. Interest in its historical development is increasing, but there has hitherto been no sustained attempt to elucidate what it currently amounts to, and how it differs from so-called 'continental' philosophy. In this rich and wide-ranging book, Hans Johann Glock argues that analytic philosophy is a loose movement held together both by ties of influence and by various 'family resemblances'. He considers the pros and cons of various definitions of analytic philosophy, and tackles the methodological, historiographical and philosophical issues raised by such definitions. Finally, he explores the wider intellectual and cultural implications of the notorious divide between analytic and continental philosophy. His book is an invaluable guide for anyone seeking to understand analytic philosophy and how it is practised. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An astounding work
I cannot help but echo the Notre Dame Philosophical Review's opinion: this is, indeed, a great book. Sure, there are flaws here and there, but that's nitpicking. Glock really does know his stuff, and he doesn't make any of the errors standard works on this topic do. He understands analytic philosophy, knows its competitors, and helps us to delimit the bounds of our own discipline.

The book is essentially divided into three topics: historical hatchet-work, defenses of analytic philosophy, and substantive metaphilosophy. For anyone new to the field of analytic philosophy, he offers a nice overview of where we've come from. For those skeptical of it, he should help disabuse readers of some analytic monolith, or the bizarre yet widely repeated notion that analytic philosophy is positivistic. For those already in the tradition, he offers a great synoptic view of the discipline and some genuinely interesting metaphilosophical ruminations.

Not only this: his writing style is clear, engaging, and entertaining. Indeed, there's a possibility he'll actually make reader smile. Even if you disagree with many of his more substantive points (indeed, I disagree with several major points he makes), nobody should pass up this book.

The book is eminently readable by anyone with a modicum of interest in what philosophers do nowadays. There is no reason this book cannot be read by any intelligent reader, and, in my opinion, there is no reason that it shouldn't. ... Read more

Product Description
Does life (for the living) differ from that of the non-living? If so, how? And how, in that case, does biology as the study of living things differ from other sciences? These questions are examined through an exploration of episodes in the history of biology and philosophy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent book at an excellent price
Having just come upon the work of the first writer, I was gratified to be able to obtain this important book quickly and at a very low price. Kudos! ... Read more