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History of Western Philosophy (Routledge Classics) (Paperback)
by Bertrand Russell
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Author: Bertrand Russell
Publisher: Routledge
Pub. in: March, 2004
ISBN: 0415325056
Pages: 784
Measurements: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1.8 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA01403
Other information: 978-0415325059
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- MSL Picks -
You risk being seduced by this wonderful and dangerous book.
It is probably (despite many other merits and demerits) one of the greatest lessons in bias ever written.
There is little unique about the extent to which this work is biased.
But Russell's mesmerisingly convincing style makes the likelihood that anything in the book is anything but objective a thought which will occur to only the most sceptical of readers.
This is not to claim that Russell was being cynical or consciously deceptive when he wrote it.
Nor is it to claim that he was wildly deluded or poorly informed.
What the book does exemplify however, is how Russell's enormous skill as a raconteur, combined with well developed viewpoints on many of the subjects he discusses, as well as his powerful enthusiasm for historical anecdotes.
If anything were ever to have the power to kindle any latent interest in philosophy, history or science, this book probably stands alone among the philosophical works of its era in combining the necessary ingredients.
None of these 'popular non-fiction attractions' should in any way undermine the fact that the book often provides a good service to the reader, in terms of providing a more than adequate overview of the philosopher or philosophy covered.
But even when it provides these resources effectively, any reader who is inclined to pursue the particular subject matter further, would, in most cases be utterly shocked to discover how any further research will probably present an extraordinarily different perspective, if, in many cases, for no other reason than as a reaction to the impressions formed by this book.
For every viewpoint that Russell presents authoritatively in this book, there are often a multiplicity of other viewpoints to be found elsewhere, many diametrically opposed to those expressed in the book, ranging from those which are based upon more recent historical research, to those which treat Russell's assertions as a starting point for a debate, and finally to those which essentially constitute a contemptuous dismissal of Russell's unacceptable corruption of the minds of those who take the book more seriously than many scholars would.
But it is wiser to take any unqualified criticism of this book as being as much an 'understandable overreaction' as it is to recognise that Russell's endeavours to make history and philosophy entertaining came at a price that any early attempt at popularisation might be expected to pay.
Read it, be enthralled, recall that this is now well over half a century later, then read it again, book in one hand, mouse in the other, reach out for the internet, check out the latest writings on the subjects he covers, get the most from both worlds.
No better book on the subject (including several more comprehensive and respected histories of philosophy) exists for making you want to do this.
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Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, Viscount Amberley, born in Wales, May 18, 1872. Educated at home and at Trinity College, Cambridge. During World War I, served four months in prison as a pacifist, where he wrote Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy. In 1910, published first volume of Principia Mathematica with Alfred Whitehead. Visited Russia and lectured on philosophy at the University of Peking in 1920. Returned to England and, with his wife, ran a progressive school for young children in Sussex from 1927-1932. Came to the United States, where he taught philosophy successively at the University of Chicago, University of California at Los Angeles, Harvard, and City College of New York. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. Has been active in disarmament and anti-nuclear-testing movements while continuing to add to his large number of published books which include Philosophical Essays (1910); The ABC of Relativity (1925) Human Knowledge: Its Scope and Limits (1948); Why I Am Not a Christian (1957); and The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell (1967). For a chronological list of Russell's principal works see The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell (Simon and Schuster).
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First published in 1946, History of Western Philosophy went on to become the best-selling philosophy book of the twentieth century. A dazzlingly ambitious project, it remains unchallenged to this day as the ultimate introduction to Western philosophy. Providing a sophisticated overview of the ideas that have perplexed people from time immemorial, Russell's History of Western Philosophy offered a cogent précis of its subject. Of course this cannot be the only reason it ended up the best selling philosophy book of the twentieth century. Russell's book was 'long on wit, intelligence and curmudgeonly scepticism', as the New York Times noted, and it is this, coupled with the sheer brilliance of its scholarship, that has made Russell's History of Western Philosophy one of the most important philosophical works of all time.
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Ray Monk, USA
<2008-06-30 00:00>
Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, Viscount Amberley, born in Wales, May 18, 1872. Educated at home and at Trinity College, Cambridge. During World War I, served four months in prison as a pacifist, where he wrote Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy. In 1910, published first volume of Principia Mathematica with Alfred Whitehead. Visited Russia and lectured on philosophy at the University of Peking in 1920. Returned to England and, with his wife, ran a progressive school for young children in Sussex from 1927-1932. Came to the United States, where he taught philosophy successively at the University of Chicago, University of California at Los Angeles, Harvard, and City College of New York. Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. Has been active in disarmament and anti-nuclear-testing movements while continuing to add to his large number of published books which include Philosophical Essays (1910); The ABC of Relativity (1925) Human Knowledge: Its Scope and Limits (1948); Why I Am Not a Christian (1957); and The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell (1967). For a chronological list of Russell's principal works see The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell (Simon and Schuster).
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A Customer, USA
<2008-06-30 00:00>
Most people might argue that this is a bunch of crap that Russell just put together and that its his own perspective of what good/useful philosophy is. Well they'd be half right. A major factor that people tend to overlook about this book is that it IS Russells own opinion on the history of philosophy, hence the words "writen by Bertrand Russell" on the book and not "edited by Bertrand Russell". If somone is looking for a refrence of sorts for philosophy that is completly unbiased then I would suggest the Cambridge Dictionary Of Philosophy or the even better Oxford Companion To Philosophy. Other than that i have to consider this a GREAT book (altough i only read passages at a time) and really consider Russells opinions as valid ones that I (as a member of my high school debate team) find myself quoting quite often. In essence, its just a good step into a better understanding of philosophy. |
Mickey Callaghan , USA
<2008-06-30 00:00>
Russell's Introduction is a well-written, entertaining introduction to philosopy. It is very expansive, covering dozens of philosophers and philosophical movements/trends/systems/etc., and spanning thousands of years.
The only issue I have with this book is its exclusion of certain, lesser known philosophers whom I particularly like (a minour issue), and its sometimes superficial overviews of the philosophers within. That is why I suggest corroborating your knowledge with another, more in-depth introduction to philosophy, like Durant's Story of Philosophy.
Though it is not necessarily a criticism, I would like to point out that Russell's bias toward philosophers appears very strongly herein, so the reader should not expect a completely objective, neutral approach-- Russell is adamently opposed to many he deals with, such as Rousseau, Marx, Nietzsche, and other, less logic-inclined philosophers! Be warned: you are not likely to agree with his analysis all the time, and might at times find it somewhat inappropriate |
Scott gru-Bell, USA
<2008-06-30 00:00>
Written in the 1942-45, this book needs to be taken in the context of World War II. Although a courageous pacifist, Russell, nevertheless, is still an Englishman. This may account for his misunderstanding of Nietzsche, who at the time the book was written, was considered a spiritual father of Hitler, which of course he was not.
Russell's handling of Aristoltle's logic is, indeed, brilliant. His introduction to most of the philosophers covered in the text is at least helpful, and at other times masterful. The Noble Prize winner for literature, Russell demonstrates his alacrity for written expression and the clearest thinking at a wondrous level. He does, however, retain his bias, which he does not express openly.
So long as the reader can discount the author's British, Twenieth Century bias, he will find this book an ideal introduction for the layman to Western thought. |
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