In 'History of Western Philosophy', Bertrand Russell offers a sweeping narrative that explores the evolution of philosophical thought from ancient Greece to the modern era. Delving into the thoughts and ideas of iconic philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Kant, Russell weaves a tapestry of intellectual history that reveals the interconnectedness of ideas. His insightful commentary not only critiques their contributions but also relates them to contemporary challenges. A captivating read, this work invites readers to ponder the fundamental questions that have shaped human understanding. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the philosophical giants who paved the way for modern thought?
By Bertrand Russell
Published: 1967
"Philosophy, as I understand it, is the attempt to answer questions that arise from our human experience, yet it is also the recognition of the limits of our knowledge."
Hailed as “lucid and magisterial” by The Observer, this book is universally acclaimed as the outstanding one-volume work on the subject of Western philosophy. Considered to be one of the most important philosophical works of all time, the History of Western Philosophy is a dazzlingly unique exploration of the ideologies of significant philosophers throughout the ages—from Plato and Aristotle through to Spinoza, Kant and the twentieth century. Written by a man who changed the history of philosophy himself, this is an account that has never been rivaled since its first publication over sixty years ago. Since its first publication in 1945, Lord Russell’s A History of Western Philosophy is still unparalleled in its comprehensiveness, its clarity, its erudition, its grace, and its wit. In seventy-six chapters he traces philosophy from the rise of Greek civilization to the emergence of logical analysis in the twentieth century. Among the philosophers considered are: Pythagoras, Heraclitus, Parmenides, Empedocles, Anaxagoras, the Atomists, Protagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, the Cynics, the Sceptics, the Epicureans, the Stoics, Plotinus, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, Benedict, Gregory the Great, John the Scot, Aquinas, Duns Scotus, William of Occam, Machiavelli, Erasmus, More, Bacon, Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, the Utilitarians, Marx, Bergson, James, Dewey, and lastly the philosophers with whom Lord Russell himself is most closely associated—Cantor, Frege, and Whitehead, coauthor with Russell of the monumental Principia Mathematica.
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“Philosophy, as I understand it, is the attempt to answer questions that arise from our human experience, yet it is also the recognition of the limits of our knowledge.”
History of Western Philosophy
By Bertrand Russell
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) was a British philosopher, logician, and social critic, renowned for his contributions to a variety of disciplines, including philosophy, mathematics, and political theory. He was a co-author of the influential work 'Principia Mathematica' (1910-1913), which laid the groundwork for modern logic and analytical philosophy. Russell's notable works also include 'A History of Western Philosophy' (1945), 'The Problems of Philosophy' (1912), and 'Why I Am Not a Christian' (1927). His writing style is marked by clarity, precision, and a deep commitment to critical thinking, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience. Russell was also an outspoken advocate for social justice, pacifism, and nuclear disarmament, demonstrating a keen engagement with contemporary issues throughout his life.
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