If you are in search of a handy reference work that gives fundamental summaries of the main theories of western philosophy, this book functions adequately. Each chapter covers a major topic: the nature of the universe; man’s place in the universe; what is good and evil; the nature of god; fate versus free will; the soul and immortality; man and the state; man and education; mind and matter; ideas and thinking; and recent approaches to philosophy.
The individual philosophers, from classical to modern, addressing the issue are listed right under the chapter heading, then each of their arguments is presented in order. You can’t help but start to compare them- to start thinking for yourself at a significant level.
Most of the major philosophers, or at least the major philosophical movements in history, are consulted for their theories on fundamental questions. These include the basic college course stuff like the nature of the universe, good vs. evil, free will, and the like.
The thinkers covered stretch from Plato, Aristotle and the other Greek immortals, to the lesser ancient schools, on through the middle ages to relatively recent philosophers such as Kant and Spinoza. A useful bonus is a biographical paragraph in the appendix on every thinker whose work is used in the book. The only flaw with this book is that it was written by a professor back in 1942, and is presented in the dry, humorless, and didactically professional writing style that prevailed in that day.
Related Books:
- How Philosophy Can Save Your Life: 10 Ideas That Matter Most : Marietta McCarty
- Philosophy for Kids : 40 Fun Questions That Help You Wonder About Everything! : David A. White
- Classics of Western Philosophy : Steven M. Cahn
