As is noted by the encyclopedia britannica, the work became a standard introductory philosophy text for thousands of university students, particularly in its u. Anthony kenny tells the story of philosophy from ancient greece through the middle ages and the enlightenment into the modern world. The best philosophy books of all time updated for 2020. What are some of the best books about history of philosophy. His books include early medieval philosophy 4801150. First published in 1946, history of western philosophy went on to become the bestselling philosophy book of the twentieth century.
This mammoth work by bertrand russell covers the most important philosophical theories in the western world, starting from the greek ancients up until early 20 th century philosophers each chapter is centered around a certain theory or philosophy. Two of them focus on the history of philosophy, while the other two broaden out to. History of western philosophy by bertrand russell, 2004. Hes been quite famous as a thinker who emphasised the practical consequence of philosophynot just the theoretical understanding of the world, but how it changes individuals lives. Anthony kennys a new history of western philosophy is a one stop shop thatll get you the basic gist of whats going on in philosophy.
This is my summary of the history of western philosophy showing the positivenegative connections between some. Bertrand russell a history of western philosophy part 01. It has severe flaws and his biases are extraordinary, though he is a fine writer. In fact, i find myself wishing that he had written a companion volumethe history of eastern philosophy as well as a history of western art, a history of western economics, a history of western music, et cetera ad infinitum. Stephen evans brings his expertise to this daunting task as he surveys the history of western philosophy, from the presocratics to nietzsche and postmodernismand every major figure and. Western philosophy, history of western philosophy from its development among the ancient greeks to the present this article has three basic purposes. Every student of philosophy needs to know the history of the philosophical discourse such giants have bequeathed us. 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. A history of western philosophy bertrand russell on.
An interactive summary of the history of philosophy showing the positivenegative connections between ideas. A history of western philosophy is a 1945 book by the philosopher bertrand russell. Broke in 1854 and a national hero just ten years later, the ragstoriches story of civil war general and twoterm president ulysses s. A history of western philosophy by bertrand russell. He introduces us to the great thinkers and their ideas, starting with plato. He writes in a way that is very easy to get along with but he does not over simplify. A dazzlingly ambitious project, it remains unchallenged to this day as the ultimate introduction to western philosophy. Books similar to a brief history of western philosophy. By purchasing books through this website, you support our nonprofit organization. The first of the history of philosophy books youve chosen is by pierre hadot, published as le voile disis. John marenbon is a fellow of trinity college, cambridge and teaches the history of philosophy.
Describes and analyzes the major philosophers and philosophical issues from the presocratics to the philosphy of logical analysis. Goodreads members who liked a brief history of weste. List of books and articles about western philosophy. A c grayling is an excellent communicator and this book is very much to form. As such, it is still an okay general history, though in my opinion it isnt as helpful as john cottinghams western philosophy, an anthology of original texts, with commentary. Some of these ideas are best understood within the historicalpolitical context, as they are presented in books of. John marenbons top 10 books on philosophy books the.
This book is no less than a guide to the whole of western philosophythe ideas that have undergirded our civilization for twoandahalf thousand years. A history of western philosophy intervarsity press. Including quick summaries for beginners of modern philosophy books, eastern philosophy, western philosophy and more. To find the best books on the history of philosophy, we must first identify the level of the student. Since its first publication in 1945 lord russells a history of western philosophy has been universally acclaimed as the outstanding onevolume work on the. In seventysix chapters he traces philosophy from the rise of greek civilization to the emergence of logical analysis in the. A history of western philosophy examines the nature of philosophical enterprise and philosophys role in western culture. These 10 western philosophy books will give you a diverse and. It is well written, though the structure of it feels redundant sometimes he goes over an era chronologically then goes back and pulls out important things in major specific areas in a following section. History of western philosophy by bertrand russell 2004 history of western science 15432001 by john gribbin 2006 history of western music by peter burkholder 2008 only the russell was reprinted later in buckram. Used books may not include companion materials, some shelf wear, may contain highlightingnotes, may not include cdrom or access codes. Hi, im a third year philosophy student and would like to read a book on the history of philosophy.
Lord russells a history of western philosophy has been universally acclaimed as the outstanding onevolume work on the subject unparalleled in its comprehensiveness, its clarity, its erudition, its grace and wit. Considered to be one of the most important philosophical works of all time, the history of western philosophy is a dazzlingly unique exploration of the ideologies of significant philosophers throughout the agesfrom plato and. This guide includes the best philosophy books from throughout history. A history of western thought garvey, james, stangroom, jeremy on. It is not so much a critical analysis of other philosophers, but more an explanation as to why they may matter. It is, in part, intended to replace books like russells a history of western philosophy, which is somewhat out of date now and really quite opinionated. Between these two i have become familiar with many histories of western thought, each written out of deep commitments. A curated reading list of the best and essential books on the history of western philosophy. When i began writing introductory philosophy books in the late 1980s, the only introductions that were readily available were the problems of philosophy by bertrand russell, which was published in 1912, and a book called philosophy made simple which was actually a good book, but people found the title offputting because it sounded like it. The work is divided into three books, each of which is subdivided into chapters. When i was a young man, i plowed through bertrand russells 1945 classic, a history of western philosophy. Find books like a history of western philosophy from the worlds largest community of readers. A couple of years ago i read the much shorter and more interesting work of luc ferry, a brief history of thought.
History of western philosophy by russell, bertrand ebook. Books similar to a history of western philosophy goodreads. A history of western philosophy book ancient history. Two versions of history of western philosophy folio. For the beginner, perhaps the best book is by a worldclass world historian, name. The religions of egypt and babylonia, like other ancient religions, were originally. Over the years i have found various reasons to look into it now and again, but have never read the whole thing. Radhakrishna has written a history of indian philosophy, perhaps hoping it will become something like bertrand russells book, but it is a theft. The three books im considering are russells history of western philosophy, durants the story of philosophy and kennys a new history of western philosophy.
Cottingham has a chapter on beauty and artincluding kants critique of aesthetic judgement, a text that, oddly enough, isnt even mentioned in the illustrated. I will answer for the beginner and for the advanced student. This is not just a history of western philosophy, but also a bit of a how do all of the main schools of western philosophy fit into their culture and times. Benjamin, walter the work of art in the age of mechanical reproduction. Buy history of western philosophy routledge classics 1 by russell, bertrand isbn. Goodreads members who liked a history of western philosoph. A history of philosophy is a history of western philosophy written by the english jesuit priest frederick charles copleston originally published in nine volumes between 1946 and 1975. The best introductions to philosophy five books expert. They trace the rise and development of western thought. I was seeking a good, nonsuperficial introductory book that delved into the history of western thought and philosophy, one that would confer a good basic grasp of the issues and complexities of the evolution of mens thought. Find books like a brief history of western philosophy from the worlds largest community of readers. Considered to be one of the most important philosophical works of all time, the history of western philosophy is a dazzlingly unique exploration of the ideologies of significant philosophers throughout the agesfrom. A history of western philosophy and theology frame. Hailed as lucid and magisterial by the observer, this book is universally acclaimed as the outstanding onevolume work on the subject of western philosophy.
The republic by plato, a history of western philosophy by bertrand russell, beyond good and evil by friedrich nietzs. Between these two i have become familiar with many histories of western thought, each written out of deep commitments, some acknowledged, some not. A survey of western philosophy from the presocratic philosophers to the early 20th century, it was criticised for russells overgeneralization and omissions, particularly from the postcartesian period, but nevertheless became a popular and commercial success, and has remained in print from its. The history of western philosophy the top 5 books to read. Ancient history encyclopedia receives a small commission for.
Grant captures the tumultuous times of the midnineteenth. Philosophy, as i shall understand the word, is something intermediate between theology and science. What are books similar to a history of western philosophy by. Ideally, i would like to learn the history of the whole wide world, according to bertrand russell. History audio books bertrand russell a history of western philosophy part 01. And its connection with political and social circumstances from the earliest times to the present day. The cambridge history of later greek and early medieval philosophy 1966. But i have never read a history of western thought quite like john frames.
1301 1404 289 727 364 216 1531 1147 224 1295 1666 1003 1454 1256 417 982 741 105 716 1152 981 875 1510 452 1381 29 29 797 1524 1003 104 770 825 484 1199 569 944 662 1480 565 786 506 636 1429 847 370 1034 1203