Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Cop...
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Oct 06, 2011
THRILLED !!! to recently find in my local bookshop in the Secondhand section unsullied and complete the 12 Volume Set of Father Frederick Copleston's History of Philosophy.
Any Guilt on breaking up the set ?
By no means.
Firstly these volumes were written exclusively for ME !!!
Father Copleston as a convert and Jesuit priest took on the task of writing these books for Catholic Seminarian Students of Philosophy because what they had was not too impressive.
Now as an More...
Any Guilt on breaking up the set ?
By no means.
Firstly these volumes were written exclusively for ME !!!
Father Copleston as a convert and Jesuit priest took on the task of writing these books for Catholic Seminarian Students of Philosophy because what they had was not too impressive.
Now as an More...
Jan 07, 2011
James
rated it: 
Copleston is the best guide to the history of philosophy that I've come across thus far. His writing style is extraordinarily limpid and concise. He also spends the time explaining (but not garrulously) each philosopher's most important ideas, and then relates them back to his predecessors and intimates what their influence will be on subsequent thinkers.
This volume is particularly illuminating, as he starts out by explaining the importance of the history of philosophy and of unders More...
This volume is particularly illuminating, as he starts out by explaining the importance of the history of philosophy and of unders More...
Apr 06, 2008
Nigel
rated it:
This series is probably the best general overview of the history of philosophy currently available. The prose can be somewhat dry and technical, but this is to be expected. Volume One is best read with greek/english and latin/english dictionaries close at hand.
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Jul 29, 2011
Martin
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A great introduction to philosophy. Copleston divides the book into Pre-Socratics, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Post-Aristotelianism through the early Medieval period. He does tend to spend a lot of time on Plato and Aristotle, but as they were the preeminent philosophers of the day, it is not surprising. I don't particularly like the large amount of Greek and Latin terminology and quotations. He wrote this for Catholic priests who had a training in classical languages, something the laym
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Jan 24, 2011
Erik
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By the spring of eighty I'd been out of school for almost two years. Work in psychiatric childcare (adolescent boys) which had filled that time was personally, but not professionally, rewarding. The living situation had, however, vastly improved since moving in with the brothers Miley the spring previous. Socially, they had helped me reintegrate with old high school friends, many of whom I hadn't seen for the nine years I'd been away in college and seminary.
Intellectually, however More...
Intellectually, however More...
Jan 07, 2009
Scot
rated it:
Copleston was one of my introductions into what would be my major in college. Good ol' philosophy. With that degree in hand, I was ready to carry on deep discourses and insightful inquiries into the nature of humanity . . . all while I grilled your hamburger.
Copleston's series was a wonderful introduction into my first academic love.
Copleston's series was a wonderful introduction into my first academic love.
Dec 13, 2011
Larry
rated it: 
This could have been a phenomenal book. By not translating into English the many long -- and critically important to the understanding of this subject -- quotes, Copleston limits his audience to those who know not only English but also ancient Greek and Latin, among other languages.
Jul 03, 2011
Jeremiah
rated it:
I didn't read all of this, but I did read enough to realize that I don't need Copleston in order to not only appreciate a philosophical text, but to understand any of the thinkers covered. The history merely to covers the philosophers and their methodologies, all the while not spending the time necessary for full comprehension. If anyone spends that much time reading this, I think they've wasted their time, as they could/should be spending their time on the actual texts, or if you're not into th
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Sep 14, 2009
History of Philosophy, Volume 1 (History of Philosophy) by Frederick Copleston (1993)
Aug 05, 2009
Luther
rated it:
Starting off with this series -- I think it will be very helpful.
4/22 -- finished the section on the Presocratics; moved onto Plato, his theory of knowledge, and now on to ontology...have purchased a copy of the Theatetus & Sophist together with what looks like a good commentary, and plan to read it while I finish this book, which finishes with Plato.
Moved this to To-Read status. Working on other (easier) books before coming back to tackle this one...
4/22 -- finished the section on the Presocratics; moved onto Plato, his theory of knowledge, and now on to ontology...have purchased a copy of the Theatetus & Sophist together with what looks like a good commentary, and plan to read it while I finish this book, which finishes with Plato.
Moved this to To-Read status. Working on other (easier) books before coming back to tackle this one...
Sep 06, 2011
Danny
rated it:
Copleston’s command of the history of philosophy is incredible. The only down side to this book is that he often quotes Classical Greek and Latin sources without providing translation to the reader. Of course, his original audience was Catholic seminary students who were steeped in Latin, which is something I obviously did not get at the Protestant seminary I attended. Oh well...
Mar 07, 2011
Zarakoda
rated it:
Some very good sections, such as the quick summaries of Ionian and early Greek philosophers. However, the assumption readers can understand all languages (French, German, Latin, Greek, etc.) and references made makes the book much more difficult to understand than it ought be.
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Nov 29, 2007
Stacy
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I have nearly all the volumes, but this is the only one I've ever managed to really read. It, and the entire series, has done blown my mind in sheer scope.
Feb 02, 2008
David
rated it: 
Great overview of ancient philosophy, of course spending a lot of time on Plato and Aristotle.
Jan 03, 2008
Andrew
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Great introduction to the basics of philosophy and its development over time.
Feb 13, 2012
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