Freethought & Rationalism Archive

oe · 03-29-2002, 04:37 AM

I'd like to hear recommendations for books--whether in one volume or spread through several--that offer concise, accurate, incisive surveys of the entirety of world philosophy to date.

Thanx much.

snatchbalance · 03-29-2002, 06:35 AM

B. Russell wrote a "History of Western Philosophy", that might be a good start.

Bluenose · 03-29-2002, 06:45 AM

That's a good question since most surveys are limited to Western philosophy. EX: Bertrand Russell: History of Western Philosophy, updated by A. J. Ayer: Philosophy in the Twentieth Century. The one i use most for Western is The Columbia History of WP (ed: R. H. Popkin), and for the world survey I use: Masterpieces of World Philosophy (ed: F. N. Magill)

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Bluenose ]</p>

Darwin's Finch · 03-29-2002, 07:11 AM

Frederick Copleston's History of Western Philosophy is outstanding. One Hundred Years of Philosophy by John Passmore is an excellent history of English philosophy (emphasis on development of logical analysis, epistemology, and language analysis; lighter on ethics, political thought, or aethestics) from Mill to, say, the nineteen-fifties.

WJ · 03-29-2002, 07:23 AM

I must add a real fundamentally useful reference tool that condenses philosophical thought in a KISS mode!

It's called Philosophy made Simple. It is in a blue/black soft copy written by two philosopher's. I've had mine for a few years and find that going back to basics is sometimes necessary and a refreshing tool in the sometimes very convoluted world of philosophical gibberish.

Upon reflection, I've always appreciated the last comments from that book regarding the best way to understand/approach philosophy, and that is by simply doing it! Certainly having a working knowledge of the P-tools is very useful, but I would say (to someone getting started, but applies to other's as well) above all, be yourself! Remember, many of these tools/concepts in philosophy have not changed. Create your own sense of truth. Too many philosopher's feel if they read 100 books, that they will need at some point, to also read 100 more, in order to solve whatever it is the previous 100 couldn't solve.

The book Consciousness Explained, is a good example of this problem, if you know what I mean here.

Walrus

Ender · 03-29-2002, 12:01 PM

Welcome back, Shone.

For a warm up try Will Durant's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671739166/qid=1017434999/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">Story of Philosophy</a>. The drawbacks is Durant's no philosopher, whiffs the 20th century and his understanding of Nietzsche is laughable.

For a step up, try Bryan Magee's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/019289322X/qid=1017435102/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">The Great Philosophers</a> as well as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0192854178/ref=pd_sim_books/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">Talking Philosophy</a>. Magee gives the most fair treatment of the superstar thinkers, IMO.

For a in-depth survey try Roger Scruton's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140249079/qid=1017434914/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_67_2/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">Modern Philosophy</a>. that is, if you can stand a serious case of right-wing academic intelligentsia, befitting that of a scholarly oxen. Scruton's book is the best for independent thinkers- but worst for those of like ilk.

I just bought myself the 4th, 5th and 6th volumes of Copleston's exhaustive series. At first glance it seems to be worth every penny, although he is a Jesuit and may have vested interests in writing this, primarily for a catholic audience.

~Theothanatologist~

[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Ender ]</p>

Augustine · 03-29-2002, 03:18 PM

The book that got me interested in philosophy was "History of Philosophy" written by Julian Marias. It is very good in covering the history of western philosophy - from the Pre-Socratics to Ortega

.

John Page · 03-29-2002, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Augustine:
<strong>.......to Ortega

.</strong>

Wow, I never knew Augustine was so well read, I'll have to go back and look at the enlightenment again.

I'd support the two previous mentions of Frederick Copleston's History of Western Philosophy. I have all the volumes and, despite my reservations in supporting a catholic cause, use it for both reference and reading.

Anybody know a good book summarizing post-modernism?

03-29-2002, 04:37 AM	#1
oe Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 32	Recommendations for Surveys of Philosophy I'd like to hear recommendations for books--whether in one volume or spread through several--that offer concise, accurate, incisive surveys of the entirety of world philosophy to date. Thanx much.

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03-29-2002, 06:35 AM	#2
snatchbalance Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: CT Posts: 333	B. Russell wrote a "History of Western Philosophy", that might be a good start.

03-29-2002, 06:45 AM	#3
Bluenose Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: small cold water flat Posts: 471	That's a good question since most surveys are limited to Western philosophy. EX: Bertrand Russell: History of Western Philosophy, updated by A. J. Ayer: Philosophy in the Twentieth Century. The one i use most for Western is The Columbia History of WP (ed: R. H. Popkin), and for the world survey I use: Masterpieces of World Philosophy (ed: F. N. Magill) [ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Bluenose ]</p>

03-29-2002, 07:11 AM	#4
Darwin's Finch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Gardnerville, NV Posts: 666	Frederick Copleston's History of Western Philosophy is outstanding. One Hundred Years of Philosophy by John Passmore is an excellent history of English philosophy (emphasis on development of logical analysis, epistemology, and language analysis; lighter on ethics, political thought, or aethestics) from Mill to, say, the nineteen-fifties.

03-29-2002, 07:23 AM	#5
WJ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 812	I must add a real fundamentally useful reference tool that condenses philosophical thought in a KISS mode! It's called Philosophy made Simple. It is in a blue/black soft copy written by two philosopher's. I've had mine for a few years and find that going back to basics is sometimes necessary and a refreshing tool in the sometimes very convoluted world of philosophical gibberish. Upon reflection, I've always appreciated the last comments from that book regarding the best way to understand/approach philosophy, and that is by simply doing it! Certainly having a working knowledge of the P-tools is very useful, but I would say (to someone getting started, but applies to other's as well) above all, be yourself! Remember, many of these tools/concepts in philosophy have not changed. Create your own sense of truth. Too many philosopher's feel if they read 100 books, that they will need at some point, to also read 100 more, in order to solve whatever it is the previous 100 couldn't solve. The book Consciousness Explained, is a good example of this problem, if you know what I mean here. Walrus

03-29-2002, 12:01 PM	#6
Ender Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Lusitania Colony Posts: 658	Welcome back, Shone. For a warm up try Will Durant's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671739166/qid=1017434999/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">Story of Philosophy</a>. The drawbacks is Durant's no philosopher, whiffs the 20th century and his understanding of Nietzsche is laughable. For a step up, try Bryan Magee's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/019289322X/qid=1017435102/sr=1-5/ref=sr_1_5/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">The Great Philosophers</a> as well as <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0192854178/ref=pd_sim_books/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">Talking Philosophy</a>. Magee gives the most fair treatment of the superstar thinkers, IMO. For a in-depth survey try Roger Scruton's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140249079/qid=1017434914/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_67_2/103-2462173-6241407" target="_blank">Modern Philosophy</a>. that is, if you can stand a serious case of right-wing academic intelligentsia, befitting that of a scholarly oxen. Scruton's book is the best for independent thinkers- but worst for those of like ilk. I just bought myself the 4th, 5th and 6th volumes of Copleston's exhaustive series. At first glance it seems to be worth every penny, although he is a Jesuit and may have vested interests in writing this, primarily for a catholic audience. ~Theothanatologist~ [ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: Ender ]</p>

03-29-2002, 03:18 PM	#7
Augustine Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Central US Posts: 7	The book that got me interested in philosophy was "History of Philosophy" written by Julian Marias. It is very good in covering the history of western philosophy - from the Pre-Socratics to Ortega .

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