Product Description

This best-selling dictionary is written by one of the most famous philosophers of our time, and widely recognised as the best dictionary of its kind. Wide-ranging and authoritative, it covers every aspect of philosophy from Aristotle to Zen. Clear, concise and easy to use, it provides lively and accessible coverage of not only Western philosophical traditions, but also themes from Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophy. Entries include over 500 biographies of famous and influential philosophers, in-depth analysis of philosophical terms and concepts, and a chronology of philosophical events stretching from 10,000 BC to the present day. The first edition of this dictionary became a market leader and a standard work of reference, selling over 100,000 copies. Now the author, Professor Simon Blackburn, has revised and updated it to include over 500 new entries including terms from related disciplines such as religion, science and logic. Fully cross-referenced and containing over 3,000 alphabetical entries, this dictionary is the ideal introduction to philosophy for beginners, and an essential work of reference for more advanced students and teachers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39728 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
"Thanks to clever typography, this revision of the 1994 edition eliminates virtually nothing, adding hundreds of new entries in the same 400 pages with no loss of legibility.... This edition will double as a world-religion reference, but its original material is, reassuringly, little changed."--School Library Journal

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.