Product Description

From Aristotle to Zen, this is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and up-to-date dictionary of philosophy available. Ideal for students or a general readership, it provides lively and accessible coverage of not only the Western philosophical tradition but also important themes from Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophy. * 2,500 entries including the most recent terms and concepts * Biographical entries for nearly 500 philosophers * Terms relevant to philosophy from neighbouring disciplines Chronology of philosophical events.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #334880 in Books
• Published on: 1996-03-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Review
the most comprehensive dictionary of philosophy in English TLS an excellent source book ... There are generous and informative entries on the great philosophers ... Overall the entries are written in an informed and judicious manner THES

THES
"an excellent source book ... There are generous and informative entries on the great philosophers ... Overall the entries are written in an informed and judicious manner"

TLS
"the most comprehensive dictionary of philosophy in English"

Customer Reviews

Indispensable, witty reference and learning tool.
Rich as Sacher torte or Bill Gates, this dictionary does double or triple duty as reference book, browser's delight, and educator. Furthermore, it weighs well under ten pounds. It has the advantage over more massive dictionaries and encyclopaedias of philosophy that it's written by one person, so instead of the usual necessarily anonymous voice-from-the-mountain we get a personality, one with a sly wit. Rather than an all too reliable narrator, a bit of a trickster, one who likes to take us by surprise. Some examples: Under 'punishment': A thought more popular among judges than among philosophers is that punishment simply expresses society's revulsion at some kind of behaviour, and needs no other defence. The difficulty is that judges are often revolted by too many things, such as long hair, youth and poverty. Under 'nothing': The difference between existentialists and analytical philosophers on the point is that whereas the former are afraid of Nothing, the latter think that there is nothing to be afraid of. Under 'Pascal's wager': The ancient and popular (or vulgar) view that belief in God is the 'best bet'... The book is very thoroughly cross-referenced, so that after a few minutes with it you feel you've already started an education.

Essential
An essential book for any student studying philosophy at AS or A2, or anyone interested in philosophy. Clear and precise definitions which are particularly useful for improving the accuracy of my work, or for general revision. The book is thoroughly cross-referenced and I would definitely recommend it.

Read in Moderation
Certainly it is an informative and witty book, but its very size means that sometimes important details are over-looked. If you buy it, it by not be a bad investment also to purchase Honderich's 'Oxford Companion to Philosophy;' the two complement each other nicely.