A History a la Bertrand Russell
Written: May 01 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Strives to place thought in its social context-relatively easy reading.
Cons: Russell's intolerance of viewpoints different from his own.
The Bottom Line: A good quick reference and relatively easy reading for anyone interested in the subject matter.
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| akshobhyavajra's Full Review: Bertrand Russell - History of Western Philosophy |
Russell's work is a quality one volume introduction on the subject of philosophy. The astonishing breadth of his general historical knowledge makes this History a joy to read. Among the philosophers considered are: Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Protagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Cynics, the Sceptics, the Epicureans, the Stoics, Plotinus, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, Benedict, Gregory the Great, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Erasmus, More, Bacon, Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, the Utilitarians, James, Dewey, as well as philosophers with whom Russell himself was closely associated -- Cantor and Whitehead.
In the chapters Russell traces philosophy from the rise of Greek civilization to the emergence of logical analysis in the twentieth century.
The reader should keep in mind, however, that Russell, like other logical positivists, saw no place for metaphysics in philosophy. His viewpoint is reflected in his book.
Also, Russell's appreciation of democracy, atheism, pacifism, and social liberalism is reflected in his opinions of Plato (proponent of totalitarianism), Rousseau (portrayed as a crackpot) and Nietzsche (depicted as a warmonger).
I have enjoyed Russell's fluid style of writing very much and this single volume History of Western Philosophy is a good quick reference and relatively easy reading for anyone interested in the subject matter. Many works of this nature tend to be laborious and thus discouraging to a newcomer. Russell's book makes for enjoyable reading. Regardless of some personal differences in his treatment of certain philosophers I highly recommend the book.
Recommended:
Yes
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akshobhyavajra
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Location: Boca Raton, FL
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