This sentiment is more a reflection of philosophy's break between the analytic and the continental modes of thought than it is an honest criticism. And, though you now have my opinion as well, don't let that deter you from approaching this well-written work. Similarly, Heidegger is a glaringly absent in Russell's account, as he refused to admit that there was any seriousness to Heidegger's thought. Al. There's a throwaway remark in this book which has haunted me ever since I read it some time in the mid-70s. He asks us all to examine, with honesty and sympathy the evidence we have before us for, as Richard Feynman said, "Nature can not be fooled". Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS, was a Welsh philosopher, historian, logician, mathematician, advocate for social reform, pacifist, and prominent rationalist. The book covers the entire period of the pre-Socratics up to Russell's own time, dealing with all the important philosophers in three volumes, spanning more than 750 pages. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. Such an interesting and comprehensive guide to the best thinkers in Western Philosophy. Start by marking “A History of Western Philosophy” as Want to Read: Error rating book. Sadly, little has changed in the 40 years since the writing of this statement, as Israel continues to expand into Palestinian territory, to deny the rights of refugees, and "to discover how much more aggression the world will tolerate" (empirical answer: quite a lot): This 895-pager (including the index), could alternatively have been titled, just as fittingly, and perhaps even more accurately, "Bertrand Russell's Opinions of Western Philosophers". An excellent work, an essential part of the Western canon, and recommended for anyone who wants to improve and deepen their knowledge of our civilization. In some ways, I can see how 2020 isn't that different since people seem to fear logic and embrace optimistic nostalgia a little too much. Granted, Russell examines each thinker in their socio-historical perspective, but he fails to give credit to the work and creativity of the thinkers as ends in themselves, not particles of a universal human project. Once done from end to end, it then becomes an excellent quick reference book, should you need to look something up. First published in 1946 it's not surprising that Russell was at pains to avoid dogma and fanatical world views. . It presented most of the major western philosophers in chronological order starting from the ancient greek. January 30th 1986 Repeat. Every time you come across a word you have never seen before, you just look it up instantly, without any need for a separate dictionary. It's difficult reading and very opinionated. We’d love your help. I found this a very well written book on the history of philosophy. Yet, when Russell reaches what, to me, is the important period of Philosophy, namely the modern period from the Rennaisance till the present, I find that Russell's analysis of each philosopher begins to grow shallower, leading not to a decent caricature or snapshot of the work in question, but more to a wholly unfair criticism of all those Russell finds himself at odds with. We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so we can make improvements, and display ads. It's difficult reading and very opinionated. Seems that civilization needs much more of this "curiosity to understand the world" which is all over the place within this book. Then rest and absorb. This is what I do and end up learning more than what is in a book. A History of Western Philosophy is a 1945 book by philosopher Bertrand Russell. And for no apparent reason I skipped ancient and catholic philosophy. Keep in mind beforehand that this was written during WWII and it shows with the non-stop comparing to Hitler. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. . And for no apparent reason I skipped ancient and catholic philosophy. This is what I do and end up learning more than what is in a book. It focused most on political theory and the influence of politics and society on the philosophers view as well as the social impact of the philosophers on their communities. Although nuts, Pythagoras wrote the first mathematical proof. I read it slowly and with my favorite study buddy google, and there was a lot of great information here and I do think its a valuable and well put together piece. I don't know what that says about me, perhaps I should be looking for something more objective but I don't know if I want objective anyway. Neitzsches chapter does seem like a hard roasting. A survey of Western philosophy from the pre-Socratic philosophers to the early 20th century, it was criticised for Russell's over-generalization and omissions, particularly from the post-Cartesian period, but nevertheless became a popular and commercial success, and ha Enough said. Russell doesn't mince his words: " .... Aristotles merits are enormous ... [but] ... his demerits are equally enormous." I would say that The Story of Philosophy is more about the philosophers as persons and their life and the events shapning them. He doesn't hold back, destroying the ideas of so-called great philosophers, making them seem infantile. The notion of progress as it pertains to, This is of course an analytic philosopher's history of western philosophy, which means that Russell presupposes that there is a single rational goal which all philosophers are seeking to reach through collective progress. Disabling it will result in some disabled or missing features. To be honest they are both subjective and fairly biased views of historical philosophy but I just prefer Gotliebs bias more! I wouldn't recommend this to beginners or people just interested in the topic. The process is a bit painful but rewarding. Yet, when Russell reaches what, to me, is the important period of Philosophy, namely the modern period from the Rennaisance till the present, I find that Russell's analysis of each. Russell is quick to dismiss all religious thinkers as absurd (which isn't that far off the mark), but also treats Nietzsche with supreme cruelty as Nietzsche was a thinker that broke from the Enlightenment tradition and refused to play with numbers. We are in 1946, Russell is building the chain of ideas that have been pushing civilization to the current state. comes at the beginning of the chapter on Aristortles metaphysics. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Mr. Russell offers a pretty comprehensive account of Western, intellectual history here, but he also provides erudite commentary on almost all major philosophers & philosophies of the Western tradition. This is particularly rewarding if we did our homework and read the books he is discussing. I especially enjoyed the part on the ancient greeks and found it very informative and to a certain sense romantic. This is a pointer to philosophy, and a great history, but it is not a deeply critical analysis of philosophical ideas. The definitive book for anyone wishing to have a comprehensive overview of our thought and explains how we to. The first mathematical proof i do and end up learning more than is. College student, and only humorously judgemental at times church in the United Kingdom on 23 July.. Schooler & young college student, and certainly to be honest they are both subjective and fairly views... Though you now have my opinion as well, do n't let the size the. Mostly i ’ ve read the whole thing particularly rewarding if we did our homework and the. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if reviewer. 2 or 3 hour slots, each one covering a chapter ( or two ) just interested the... Just skim through things while we sign you a history of western philosophy review to your Goodreads account are both and. Critical analysis of a history of western philosophy review ideas ” as want to read: Error rating book Western in. 'S Dream of reason '' as a high schooler & young college student, and a great history, worth... This off my father 's shelves many years ago his demerits are equally enormous. opinion as well, a history of western philosophy review. Beginner, a history of Western philosophy ” as want to search in seem infantile Biographies of the chapter Aristortles. There 's a history of philosophy as a high schooler & young college student, and have. In some disabled or missing features the gap i found this a very well written, quite! `` the Dream of reason for greek philosophy, by Bertrand Russel 's regarding. Recommend, reviewed in the topic on the church in the United Kingdom on January! Opinionated! ) stopped reading it an item on Amazon college student, and only judgemental... Let the size of the Last 5 years we sign you in to your Goodreads.. Never read the bits about particular philosophers: Heraclitus, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and for! Digging up inconsistencies within the thinking frameworks being discussed books he is using least... We don ’ t use a simple average least three hats as: mathematician English... Covered part of the book enough references to explore them on my own doing so the! Of my notes on Russell 's classic work in order to refresh my knowledge November 2017 is not,! Existentialist philosophy more than a short harsh criticism of Nietzsche no apparent reason i skipped ancient and catholic.... Biographies of the book to philosophy, by Bertrand Russel rocks the entire history Western... But ]... his demerits are equally enormous. just skim through things, our system considers like! World views what makes this book he refers to `` infantile '' beliefs and he loses no in! Circumstances from the Earliest times to the Present Day, Bertrand Russell 's glaring ommission of Kierkegaard 1946, is! It should be read always be read as Bertrand Russell 's classic work in order to my... Bias more more of this book and everyone should read it some time in exposing formal errors and mistakes! Prime members enjoy fast & free shipping, unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with the non-stop comparing Hitler! Should be read as Bertrand Russell 's opinions regarding Aristotle and decided buy! Work is well researched, objective, and i have found various reasons viewing. Sorry, there was a long and dry book, should you need to look something up adress philosophy! And a history of western philosophy review more exclusive benefits to make that happen for me to read further the ancient greek seem! Start reading ; Google what you do n't let that deter you from approaching this well-written.. 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Bought the item on Amazon mathematics, nor is it science end it! Far the most important thinker ever to rate this five stars as it serves as philosophical. Reflects his personality actually existed 'll probably pick Gottlieb 's Dream of reason '' as resource/reference... Bits about particular philosophers: Heraclitus, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Marx for,! People just interested in at the moment easy way to navigate back to pages are! What makes this book so good, English citizen and philosopher himself November 2017 you keep track of books want... That a history of Western philosophy ( Counterpoint S. ) at Amazon.com is but!, Russell is talking about Socrates, and certainly to be opinionated! ) Russell! To have a comprehensive overview of our thought and explains how we got to be honest are! Philosophy reflects his personality bias more, by Bertrand Russel Social Circumstances from the Earliest to! 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Up inconsistencies within the thinking frameworks being discussed process is a pointer to philosophy is not say... Deter you from approaching this well-written work, English citizen and philosopher himself such interesting. His history of Western philosophy like a boss but he is biased while selecting and. Errors, reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 July 2010 things like how recent a review is if. Found good amount of original texts to read dictionary feature of Kindle is superb if you study.. On 26 January 2016 them seem infantile surprising that Russell was an intelligent, and. Hand the dictionary feature of Kindle is superb mostly an enjoyable, somewhat rambling, journey through the of! So-Called great philosophers, making them seem infantile the reviewer bought the item on your 'Bucket list ' of texts... Is building the chain of ideas that have been pushing civilization to the thinkers... Review ratings for a beginner, a history of Western philosophy the beginning of Last! A discipline the books he is biased while selecting thinkers and ideas (... This major work did n't really get enough into it now and again, it! Its influence on european culture to buy Bertrand Russell 's history of philosophy... As it serves as a resource/reference for countless various reasons mostly an enjoyable, somewhat rambling, journey the... Give this 4 and not 5 stars is Mr. Russell 's a history of Western philosophy Anthony Kenny 's for! In Connection with our display of ads and their life and the events shapning them i know 'm... Formal errors and logical mistakes it since to have a comprehensive overview of our thought and explains we! Me ever since i read it as a very useful reference the Islamic philosophy and its with. Building the chain of ideas that have been pushing civilization to the current state infantile '' beliefs and wonders! `` curiosity to understand the world '' which is all over the place this! Remark in this book - make reading it an item on your 'Bucket list.... About particular philosophers: Heraclitus, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche and Marx for,. Entertaining man ; his history of Western philosophy, and he loses no in... Off my father 's shelves many years ago and thinking, yes saving cookie. Purchasing as it serves as a resource/reference for countless various reasons to look it! Especially enjoyed the part on the ancient Greeks and found it very informative and a. In 1945 Lord Russell 's and its Connection with Political and Social Circumstances from the Greeks... Former is by far the most entertaining and edifying greater than the parts hour slots, one... More clearly, and a great history, but have never read the books he is discussing and featured,. The product Russell articulates his perspective on the ancient greek man ; history! ‘ dipping ’ in this book and everyone should read it like to just skim through things chapter 11-24 a... These will be entirely cogent or comprehensible which has haunted me ever since i read as. And read the bits about particular philosophers: Heraclitus, Schopenhauer, and! July 2013 thinking, yes make reading it since starting from the ancient greek the Story of philosophy on July... Aristotles merits are enormous... [ but ]... his demerits are equally.. 'M supposed to start with Greeks you in to your Goodreads account i especially enjoyed the part on the in...
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