Product Description

Combines the author's insights and observations with selections from the writings of classical philosophers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #696997 in Books
• Published on: 1989-10-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 511 pages

Customer Reviews

A little dissappointing
I hoped this book to speak more about contemporary philosophy and science philosophy. I think it uses the name of Popper just as an advertisement. The best of this book is the number of excerpts from the works of the classic authors.

A challenging but enriching experience
I bought this book as a relative newcomer to philosophy. Some reviews had warned me that perhaps this should be read as a second or third introductory book to philosphy, a warning partly the reason for buying it as the challenge seemed just what to (foolish) me made philosophy appealing. The other reason was its reported objectivity (as opposed to B. Russel's work for example). A challenge it has proven, whether it is objective I really couldn't say (I would need to read more philosophical overviews; the book seems objectively opinionated, if there is such a thing). Antony Flew writes lucidly, but as a philosopher to philosophers. Using phrases such as "the foregoing argument" referring back three pages can be thoroughly confusing, and is certainly something I had to get used to, but the examples he choses and his framings of them are often surprising and illuminating. As a student of literature I appreciate his varied use and understanding of literature, as well as Flew's own 'voice'. Perhaps most importantly, I have appreciated the actual shift in precision in thinking I have noticed in myself since picking up this book. Even with the bare knowledge of philosophy (and, more importantly, the workings of its dialectics) gained through this book, I have found myself employing and enjoying the philosophical 'techniques' exemplified in this fascinating book.