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The Pimlico History of Western Philosophy
THE PIMLICO HISTORY significantly broadens the scope of Western philosophy to reveal the influence of Middle Eastern and Asian thought, the vital contributions of Jewish and Islamic philosophers, and the role of women within the tradition. Popkin also emphasizes schools and developments that have traditionally been overlooked. Sections on Plato and Aristotle are followed by a detailed presentation on Hellenistic philosophy and its influence on the modern developments of materialism and scepticism. Another chapter considers Renaissance philosophy and its seminal influence on modern humanism and science. Turning to the modern era, the contributors give equal attention to both sides of the current rift in philosophy between continental and analytic schools, charting the development of each right to the end of the twentieth century. Each chapter includes an introductory essay, and Popkin provides notes that draw connections among the separate articles. The rich bibliographic information and the indexes of names and terms make the volume a valuable resource. Combining a broad scope and penetrating analysis with a keen sense of what is relevant for the modern reader, the book provides an accessible intro for students and general read.
- GenresPhilosophy
864 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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January 2, 2013
One should gather from the title that this book is not for everyone. Nearly 800 pages of dry subject matter. But, if you are at all interested in the history of philosophy, you can't go wrong with this tome.
Obviously Eastern philosophy is excluded, though sometimes mentioned. That shouldn't conjure up arguments of prejudice: a history of philosophy must be separated out between West and East because they developed separately. The focus of this history, after all, is not necessarily to introduce you to the philosophers but to the ideas of philosophy through time. Some philosophers, such as Descartes and Hume, Plato and Aristotle, Russell and Husserl, are given more space, but that seems mostly because they are the ones who heralded a new way of thinking or a new system. So if you are hoping to learn more about specific philosophers, don't come here. This history will give you a good understanding of how certain philosophers fit into a historical context but little more.
The history is written as an edited work; meaning that many scholars contributed. Sometimes the organization hurts the steady progress of the history as writers re-explain a history already given, not knowing what the other writers have already said. That can be a bit annoying and sometimes confusing. In general, however, the history benefits from the organization because each section is written by an expert. Some scholars are easier to follow for a philosophical novice whereas others are caught up in philosophical jargon, but since a lot of repetition occurs and ideas carry over, a lay reader can often ignore particularly complicated sections. Popkin, the editor, writes many of the sections himself, usually the ones that intentionally try to draw connections or transitions between historical phases, and those sections are extremely well-written.
Unless you are a university student of philosophy, the long historical narrative will seem a bit much without the additional essays at the end. Since the history emphasizes ideas and movements rather than individuals, a lay reader will be tempted to skip whole chunks. That may not be such a terrible thing to do, of course, but if one reads the essays at the back first and then reads the history, the long, boring narrative will hold more meaning. Indeed, the additional essays lift this book from an average textbook of sorts to a worthwhile piece of reading. The essays cover the significance of histories of philosophy, and the history of histories of philosophy, as well as the issue of female philosophers in history and why they do not receive as much attention.
Obviously Eastern philosophy is excluded, though sometimes mentioned. That shouldn't conjure up arguments of prejudice: a history of philosophy must be separated out between West and East because they developed separately. The focus of this history, after all, is not necessarily to introduce you to the philosophers but to the ideas of philosophy through time. Some philosophers, such as Descartes and Hume, Plato and Aristotle, Russell and Husserl, are given more space, but that seems mostly because they are the ones who heralded a new way of thinking or a new system. So if you are hoping to learn more about specific philosophers, don't come here. This history will give you a good understanding of how certain philosophers fit into a historical context but little more.
The history is written as an edited work; meaning that many scholars contributed. Sometimes the organization hurts the steady progress of the history as writers re-explain a history already given, not knowing what the other writers have already said. That can be a bit annoying and sometimes confusing. In general, however, the history benefits from the organization because each section is written by an expert. Some scholars are easier to follow for a philosophical novice whereas others are caught up in philosophical jargon, but since a lot of repetition occurs and ideas carry over, a lay reader can often ignore particularly complicated sections. Popkin, the editor, writes many of the sections himself, usually the ones that intentionally try to draw connections or transitions between historical phases, and those sections are extremely well-written.
Unless you are a university student of philosophy, the long historical narrative will seem a bit much without the additional essays at the end. Since the history emphasizes ideas and movements rather than individuals, a lay reader will be tempted to skip whole chunks. That may not be such a terrible thing to do, of course, but if one reads the essays at the back first and then reads the history, the long, boring narrative will hold more meaning. Indeed, the additional essays lift this book from an average textbook of sorts to a worthwhile piece of reading. The essays cover the significance of histories of philosophy, and the history of histories of philosophy, as well as the issue of female philosophers in history and why they do not receive as much attention.
Displaying 1 of 1 review