Product Description

'Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it?' Philosophy is the attempt to answer such ultimate questions, not carelessly and dogmatically, as we might deal with them in ordinary life, but critically, after analysing how and why the questions arise and clarifying the assumptions and concepts on which they are based. This classic work, first published in 1912, has never been supplanted as an approachable introduction to the theory of philosophical enquiry. It gives Russell's views on such subjects as the distinction between appearance and reality, the existence and nature of matter, idealism, knowledge by acquaintance and by description, induction, and the limits and value of philosophical knowledge. This edition includes an introduction by John Skorupski contextualizing Russell's work, and a guide to further reading.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1005906 in Books
• Published on: 1988-09-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 161 pages

About the Author
Bertrand Russell was one of the most significant philosophers of the twentieth century. His primary interest was in the foundations of mathematics, and the three-volume Principia Mathematica (written with Alfred North Whitehead) is the classic attempt to carry out the programme of deriving the whole of mathematics from a set of simple, self-evident truths. He also wrote widely on other areas of philosophy, and published a large number of writings on social and moral issues. He vigorously opposed, among other things, British involvement in World War I, the Soviet Union under Stalin, nuclear arms, and the Vietnam War, and was imprisoned twice for his involvement in these causes. John Skorupski is Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of St Andrews, General Editor of the OPUS series, and author of English-Language Philosophy 17501945 (OUP, 1993) and John Stuart Mill (Routledge, 1989).

Customer Reviews

An excellent tater of philosophy
I'm currently taking my final year in A level philosophy and I'd like to recommend this as a taster of philosophy that is a slightly more challenging read than the average textbook or 'teach yourself guide'. The language is clear and concise but the concepts are challenging and Russell really does engage the reader and gets you thinking about the problems he addresses, inspiring you to read more! A fairly short book, well worth reading whether you have ever come across philosophy before or not as it assumes no previous knowledge. An excellent read!

A must-read for all philosophers
If you haven't read this yet, read it! The definite article in the title may be misleading; of course Russell does not tackle ALL the problems of philosophy - indeed who is to say what they all are? The book is mostly confined to problems of epistemology - i.e., what we can know. Having said this, it provides an excellent introduction to philosophy generally. There is nothing quite like Russell's crystal-clear prose style, which immediately gives a sense of the best philosophical writing. No doubt reading this will give you the urge to explore more philosophy; it really deserves its reputation as the best introduction to the subject from an anglophone point of view. (For "continental" philosophy, try Sartre's "Existentialism and Humanism".)

Engagingly thorough, deceptively Concise
A fantastic, if not slightly intense introduction to the discipline of philosophy.

This is a book that will have as much value the first time read as every subsequent time. Deceptively concise because at close to 130 pages it manages to confront a vast number of philosophical positions, and unlike many other philosophical introductions forces the reader to actually understand the philosophical argumentation, as opposed to simply learning it. The strength of this work as an introduction isn't so much as an overview of epistemological theories but in the actual discipline of rigorous analytic thinking.

I highly enjoyed this work and it is perfect for any person with a serious interest in philosophy. A degree of familiarity with philosophical writing, or a philosophical dictionary may be needed to ensure a smooth and rewarding read, as Russell really is one of the most prolific, erudite and concise writers of modern times.