Philosophical traditions and schools of thought Books

Book SynopsisBryan W. Van Norden lambastes academic philosophy for its Eurocentrism and insularity and challenges educational institutions to live up to their cosmopolitan ideals. Taking Back Philosophy is at once a manifesto for multicultural education, an accessible introduction to Confucian and Buddhist philosophy, and a defense of the value of philosophy.Trade ReviewA delightful book that takes a global perspective, challenging narrowness in the current philosophic, political, and cultural scene. -- Stephen H. Phillips, University of Texas at Austin A vigorous, clear, and convincing book suitable for any reader who cares about philosophy, the liberal arts, or the relevance of diverse cultures to basic questions about how we ought to live. -- Aaron Stalnaker, Indiana UniversityTable of ContentsForeword, by Jay L. GarfieldPreface1. A Manifesto for Multicultural Philosophy2. Traditions in Dialogue3. Trump’s Philosophers4. Welders and Philosophers5. The Way of Confucius and SocratesNotesIndex

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 2011. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

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Book SynopsisWhen Thomas Jefferson placed 'the pursuit of happiness' along with life and liberty in The Declaration of Independence he was most likely referring to Aristotle's concept of happiness, or eudaimonia. Eudaimonia is not about good feelings but rather the fulfilment of human potentials. Fulfilment is made possible by virtue; the moderation of desire and emotion by reason. The Psychology of Happiness was the first book to bring together psychological, philosophical, and physiological theory and research in support of Aristotle's view. It examines the similarity between Aristotle's concept of virtue and modern cognitive theories of emotion. It discusses the discovery of human potentials, the development of virtue and its neurological basis, the mistaken idea that fulfilment is selfish, and several other issues related to the pursuit of a good human life.Trade Review'Franklin … reaches his own synthesis of Aristotle's philosophy and scientific psychology. This means that this book is suited for at least two audiences. It is an excellent introduction to Aristotle's philosophy and the ideas in psychology, which are relevant for thinking about the good life. Above that it is interesting for people who look for a synthesis in the burgeoning field of happiness research, and who do not like the hedonistic variants of happiness.' Ad Bergsma, Erasmus University RotterdamTable of Contents1. What is happiness; 2. Happiness as fulfillment; 3. Aristotle's ethics; 4. Actualization: psychological views; 5. Knowing thyself; 6. The things we need to be happy: the relativity of goods and the golden mean; 7. Introduction to virtue; 8. Some of the more important virtues; 9. Virtue and emotion; 10. Early psychological views of virtue and emotion; 11. Virtue and emotion: recent psychological views; 12. The physiological basis of virtue; 13. Emotional intelligence; 14. The development of virtue according to Aristotle; 15. Psychological views of virtue development; 16. The polis and actualization; 17. Contemplation: another kind of happiness.

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Book SynopsisThis New York Times bestseller is the hilarious philosophy course everyone wishes they’d had in school.Outrageously funny, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar... has been a breakout bestseller ever since authors—and born vaudevillians—Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein did their schtick on NPR’s Weekend Edition. Lively, original, and powerfully informative, Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar... is a not-so-reverent crash course through the great philosophical thinkers and traditions, from Existentialism (What do Hegel and Bette Midler have in common?) to Logic (Sherlock Holmes never deduced anything). Philosophy 101 for those who like to take the heavy stuff lightly, this is a joy to read—and finally, it all makes sense!And now, you can read Daniel Klein's further musings on life and philosophy in Travels with Epicurus and Every Time I Find the Meaning of Life, They Change it

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Book SynopsisThis work, written towards the end of Al-Ghazali's career as a philosopher, advances the idea that reason can serve as a connection between the devout and God. Exploring the boundary between philosophy and theology, it seeks to understand the role of reality in the perception of the spiritual.

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Book SynopsisA masterful translation of one of the most influential Buddhist sutras—the Avatamsaka Sutra—by one of the greatest translators of Buddhist texts of our time Known in Chinese as Hua-yen and in Japanese as Kegon-kyo, the Avatamsaka Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture, is held in the highest regard and studied by Buddhists of all traditions. Through its structure and symbolism, as well as through its concisely stated principles, it conveys a vast range of Buddhist teachings. This one-volume edition contains Thomas Cleary’s definitive translation of all thirty-nine books of the sutra, along with an introduction, a glossary, and Cleary’s translation of Li Tongxuan’s seventh-century guide to the final book, the Gandavyuha, “Entry into the Realm of Reality.”

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Book SynopsisIn this sweeping and richly illustrated history, S. Frederick Starr tells the fascinating but largely unknown story of Central Asia's medieval enlightenment through the eventful lives and astonishing accomplishments of its greatest minds--remarkable figures who built a bridge to the modern world. Because nearly all of these figures wrote in Arabic,Trade ReviewHonorable Mention for the 2013 PROSE Award in European and World History, Association of American Publishers One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2014 "A fantastic book."--President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan "Lost Enlightenment is a remarkable and accessible scholarly tour de force."--David Morgan, Times Literary Supplement "Starr argues rightly that the region's brilliant culture rested on a highly cosmopolitan mix of ethnic groups, languages and religions; a long, rich pre-Islamic intellectual tradition (mainly Buddhist); and prosperity... Starr shines in his core chapters, where he presents the great achievements of the Central Asian philosopher-scientists at a time when their homeland was the creative intellectual capital of the world."--Nature "Starr is that rare scholar with the horsepower to write about the medieval culture of this vast region that is bounded by Persia to the west, and China to the east, and India to the southeast... An indispensable title for scholars, this lively study should prove equally compelling to serious lay readers with an interest in Arabic and medieval thought."--Library Journal, starred review "In this graceful, luxuriant history, Starr recovers the stunning contributions of Central Asia scientists, architects, artists, engineers, and historians during the four centuries that began just before the Arab onslaught of the eight century and lasted until the Mongol siege in the thirteenth century... The book offers a lucid exploration of the era's intricate philosophical and theological debates and a succinct depiction of its poetry and art, enhanced by many illustrations."--Foreign Affairs "Lost Enlightenment is a most amazing book, one with--if we are lucky--the potential to shape global public thinking for decades ahead... Lost Enlightenment is an entirely readable, informative and even entertaining book. Although it might surely serve as an inspiration to the modern inhabitants of Central Asia, it should also serve as a warning to any modern nation and civilization that it is tempted to intolerance."--Dimitry Chen, Asian Review of Books "Starr undertakes a daunting task--the intellectual history of Central Asia through the medieval period. Happily, he succeeds... Starr's book is thorough and well researched, and includes ample supplemental material and sources, so that even novice students will find it instructive and useful without being overwhelming."--Choice "This favorable account of Central Asia's intellectual life will enhance any reader's perception of Central Asia and challenge further investigation."--Isenbike Togan, Bogazici Journal "This book does a marvelous job of highlighting the contributions of medieval intellectuals from Central Asia to the history of world civilizations... It is a very informative and readable book."--Richard Foltz, Fezana Journal "In the book Lost Enlightenment, historian S. Frederick Starr chronicles the long tradition of scientists, mathematicians, engineers and literary intellectuals that flourished in the Iranian- and Turkish-speaking regions of Central Asia."--Noah Smith, Bloomberg View "This book is a must-read for those wanting to understand the development of this vast region of the world and the cultural and religious tides that gave rise to the conflicts we face today."--Carl G. Schuster, Explorers JournalTable of ContentsList of Illustrations ix Preface xiii Dramatis Personae xxi Chronology xxxi Chapter 1 The Center of the World 1 Chapter 2 Worldly Urbanists, Ancient Land 28 Chapter 3 A Cauldron of Skills, Ideas, and Faiths 62 Chapter 4 How Arabs Conquered Central Asia and Central Asia Then Set the Stage to Conquer Baghdad 101 Chapter 5 East Wind over Baghdad 126 Chapter 6 Wandering Scholars 156 Chapter 7 Khurasan: Central Asia's Rising Star 194 Chapter 8 A Flowering of Central Asia: The Samanid Dynasty 225 Chapter 9 A Moment in the Desert: Gurganj under the Mamuns 267 Chapter 10 Turks Take the Stage: Mahmud of Kashgar and Yusuf of Balasagun 303 Chapter 11 Culture under a Turkic Marauder: Mahmud's Ghazni 332 Chapter 12 Tremors under the Dome of Seljuk Rule 381 Chapter 13 The Mongol Century 436 Chapter 14 Tamerlane and His Successors 478 Chapter 15 Retrospective: The Sand and the Oyster 515 Notes 541 Index 611

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Book SynopsisRe-Figuring Hayden White is a reconsideration of the work of Hayden White by a group of internationally prominent scholars from the fields of history, philosophy, rhetoric, and cultural studies.Trade Review"This book constitutes a fresh and welcome understanding of the work of Hayden White, the foremost history theorist of the last forty years. Anyone interested in developments in historical thinking and practice must read this book." —Alun Munslow University of Chichester

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Book SynopsisNow published in English, this work takes a structuralist approach to the relation between Nietzsche's thought and his life. The author emphasizes the centrality of the notion of "eternal return" for understanding Nietzsche's propensities for self-denial, self-reputation and self-consumption.

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Book SynopsisYou were reading a somewhat retro loveletter, the last in history. But you have not yet received it. Yes, its lack or excess of address prepares it to fall into all hands: a post card, an open letter in which the secret appears, but indecipherably. You can take it or pass it off, for examplle, as a message from Socrates to Freud.

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Book SynopsisThe Classics of Western Philosophy brings together 61 newly--commissioned essays on classic texts ranging from Ancient Greece to the twentieth century. Surveying the history of philosophy, the book focuses on historical texts rather than historical figures and covers the entire range of classics in a single volume.Trade Review‘This volume provides a strong statement of the continuing case that the classics of Western thought ought to be read and reflected upon as a component of the well-examined life. It also expands what counts as a classic, bringing the list up through to the 1960s, thus providing a thoughtful, pointed, and, above all, useful window into the development of Western thought over its whole history.’ James Turner Johnson, Rutgers University ‘This impressive collection of essays – many by some of the best-known philosophers writing today – provides a unique and first-rate introduction to Western philosophy from the time of the Pre-Socratics to the second half of the twentieth century. All the essays are clearly written, highly informative, and generous in their suggestions for further reading.’ Brian Davies, Fordham UniversityTable of ContentsNotes on Contributors. Preface. 1. Pre-Socratics, Fragments (c. 600–440 BC): The Birth of Philosophical Investigation. (T. M. Robinson). 2. Plato, Phaedo (c. 385 BC): The Soul's Mediation Between Corporeality and the Good (Kenneth Dorter). 3. Plato, Republic (c. 380 BC): The Psycho-politics of Justice. (C. D. C. Reeve). 4. Aristotle, Metaphysics (367–323 BC): Substance, Form, and God. (Michael J. Loux). 5. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (367–323 BC): A Sort of Political Science. (T. H. Irwin). 6. Lucretius, De rerum natura (c. 99–55 BC): Breaking the Shackles of Religion (David Sedley). 7. Plotinus, Enneads (250–270): A Philosophy for Crossing Boundaries. (Dominic J. O'Meara). 8. Augustine, On Free Choice of the Will (388–395): Evil, God's Foreknowledge, and Human Free Will. (Gareth B. Matthews). 9. Augustine, Confessions (c. 400): Real-life Philosophy. (Scott MacDonald). 10. Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy (c. 525): How Far Can Philosophy Console? (John Marenbon). 11. Anselm of Canterbury, Proslogion (c. 1078): On Thinking of That-than-which-a-Greater-Cannot-Be-Thought. (Jasper Hopkins). 12. Averroës, The Incoherence of “The Incoherence” (c. 1180): The Incoherence of the Philosophers. (Deborah L. Black). 13. Maimonides, The Guide of the Perplexed (c. 1190): The Perplexities of the Guide. (Alfred L. Ivry). 14. Thomas Aquinas, On Being and Essence (ante 1256): Toward a Metaphysics of Existence. (Jorge J. E. Gracia). 15. Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologiae (c. 1273): Christian Wisdom Explained Philosophically. (James F. Ross). 16. John Duns Scotus, Questions on the Metaphysics of Aristotle (c. 1300): A New Direction for Metaphysics. (Timothy B. Noone). 17. William of Ockham, Summa Logicae (c. 1324): Nominalism in Thought and Language. (Claude Panaccio). 18. Nicolas of Cusa, On Learned Ignorance (c. 1440): Byzantine Light en route to a Distant Shore. (Peter Casarella). 19. Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince (1513): Politics as the Pursuit of Power. Bjørn Thommessen). 20. Francisco de Vitoria, De Indis and De iure belli relectiones (1557): Philosophy Meets War. (Gregory M. Reichberg). 21. Francisco Suárez, Metaphysical Disputations (1597): From the Middle Ages to Modernity. (Jorge J. E. Gracia). 22. Francis Bacon, New Organon (1620): The Politics and Philosophy of Experimental Science. (Robert K. Faulkner). 23. René Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy (1641): Thought, Existence, and the Project of Science. (Emily R. Grosholz). 24. Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (1651): The Right of Nature and the Problem of Civil War. (Henrik Syse). 25. Benedict de Spinoza, Ethics (1677): The Metaphysics of Blessedness. (Don Garrett). 26. John Locke, Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690): An Empirical View of Knowledge and Reality. (Vere Chappell). 27. George Berkeley, Three Dialogues (1713): Idealism, Skepticism, Common Sense. (George Pappas). 28. G. W. Leibniz, Monadology (1714): What There Is in the Final Analysis. (Robert Sleigh). 29. Giambattista Vico, The New Science (1730/1744): The Common Nature of Nations. (Donald Phillip Verene). 30. David Hume, Treatise of Human Nature (1740): A Genial Skepticism, an Ethical Naturalism. (Fred Wilson). 31. Baron de Montesquieu, The Spirit of Laws (1748): From Political Philosophy to Political Science. (David W. Carrithers). 32. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Of the Social Contract (1762): Transforming Natural Man into Citizen. (Richard Velkley). 33. Immanuel Kant, The Critique of Pure Reason (1781): A Lawful Revolution and a Coming of Age in Metaphysics. (Allen W. Wood). 34. Immanuel Kant, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals (1785): Duty and Autonomy. (Andrews Reath). 35. Friedrich Schiller, The Aesthetic Education of Man in a Series of Letters (1795): The Play of Beauty as Means and End. (Daniel O. Dahlstrom). 36. G. W. F. Hegel, Phenomenology of Spirit (1795): Thinking Philosophically Without Begging the Question. (Stephen Houlgate). 37. Karl Marx, The Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844: Radical Criticism and Humanistic Vision. (William McBride). 38. Søren Kierkegaard, Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments (1846): Making Things Difficult for the System and for Christendom. (Merold Westphal). 39. John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (1859): The Rational Foundations of Individual Freedom. (G. W. Smith). 40. Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil (1886): Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future. (Richard Schacht). 41. Gottlob Frege, “Über Sinn und Bedeutung” (1892): A Fundamental Distinction. (Michael Dummett). 42. Edmund Husserl, Logical Investigations (1900-1901): From Logic through Ontology to Phenomenology. (David Woodruff Smith). 43. William James, Varieties of Religious Experience (1902): Dimensions of Concrete Experience: Sandra B. Rosenthal (Loyola University at New Orleans). 44. G. E. Moore, Principia Ethica (1903): Ethical Analysis and Aesthetic Ideals. (Thomas Baldwin). 45. Charles Sanders Peirce, 1903 Harvard Lectures on Pragmatism: The Practice of Inquiry. (Vincent Colapietro). 46. Bertrand Russell, “On Denoting” (1905) and “Mathematical Logic as Based on the Theory Of Types” (1908): Metaphysics to Logic and Back. (Stewart Shapiro). 47. Henri Bergson, Creative Evolution (1907): Analysis and Life. (F.C.T. Moore). 48. Ludwig Wittgenstein, Tractatus Logico-philosophicus (1921): The Essence of Representation. (Hans-Johann Glock). 49. John Dewey, Experience and Nature (1925): What You See Is What You Get. (John McDermott). 50. Martin Heidegger, Being and Time (1927): Authentic Temporal Existence. (Bernard N. Schumacher). 51. Alfred North Whitehead, Process and Reality (1929): Scientific Revolutions and the Search for Covariant Metaphysical Principles. (George R. Lucas, Jr.). 52. Karl Popper, The Logic of Scientific Discovery (1934): Not Logic But Decision Procedure (Mariam Thalos). 53. Jean-Paul Sartre, Being and Nothingness (1943): The Prodigious Power of the Negative. (Thomas R. Flynn). 54. Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Phenomenology of Perception (1945): How is the Third-person Perspective Possible? (Stephen Priest). 55. R. G. Collingwood, The Idea of History (1946): History as the Science of Mind. (Jonathan Rée). 56. Gilbert Ryle, The Concept Of Mind (1949): A Method and a Theory. (Laird Addis). 57. Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations (1953): Clarity versus Pretension. (Newton Garver). 58. P. F. Strawson, Individuals: An Essay in Descriptive Metaphysics (1959): The Rehabilitation of Metaphysics. (David Bell). 59. W. V. Quine, Word and Object (1960): The Metaphysics of Meaning. (Randall Dipert). 60. J. L. Austin, How to Do Things with Words (1962): An Active View of Language. (Nicholas Fotion). 61. Thomas S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962): “Relativism” Hits the Headlines. (Endre Begby). Name Index. Subject Index.

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Book SynopsisIn many histories of modern ethics, Kant is supposed to have ushered in an anti-realist or constructivist turn by holding that unless we ourselves 'author' or lay down moral norms and values for ourselves, our autonomy as agents will be threatened. In this book, Robert Stern challenges the cogency of this 'argument from autonomy', and claims that Kant never subscribed to it. Rather, it is not value realism but the apparent obligatoriness of morality that really poses a challenge to our autonomy: how can this be accounted for without taking away our freedom? The debate the book focuses on therefore concerns whether this obligatoriness should be located in ourselves (Kant), in others (Hegel) or in God (Kierkegaard). Stern traces the historical dialectic that drove the development of these respective theories, and clearly and sympathetically considers their merits and disadvantages; he concludes by arguing that the choice between them remains open.Trade Review'In his thoroughly researched and tightly argued new book, Robert Stern proposes that the 'standard story' of Kant as an ethical constructivist - in particular, the idea that Kant rejected value realism as a threat to autonomy - is seriously misleading … Stern's book is a model of how systematic philosophy can be fruitfully pursued in dialogue with historical sources without doing violence to the historical particularity of those sources.' Philosophy in ReviewTable of ContentsAcknowledgements; References and abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. Kant: 1. Kant, moral realism, and the argument from autonomy; 2. The argument from autonomy and the problem of moral obligation; 3. Kant's solution to the problem of moral obligation; Part II. Hegel: 4. Hegel's critique of Kant (via Schiller); 5. Hegel's solution to the problem of moral obligation; Part III. Kierkegaard: 6. Kierkegaard's critique of Hegel; 7. Kierkegaard's solution to the problem of moral obligation; Conclusion: from Kant to Kierkegaard - and back again?; Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisFounded in the mid-17th century, Rationalism was  philosophy's first step into the modern era. This  volume contains the essential statements of  Rationalism's three greatest figures: Descartes, who  began it; Spinoza, who epitomized it; and Leibniz,  who gave it its last serious expression.

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Book SynopsisConcerned with the basic forms of through which, in accordance with the nature of the world as all men necessarily experience it, are exemplified in the attributing of motives.Table of ContentsIntroduction Part One: Ways of Placement I. CONTAINER AND THING CONTAINED II. ANTINOMIES OF DEFINITION III. SCOPE AND REDUCTION Part Two: The Philosophic Schools I. SCENE II. AGENT IN GENERAL III. ACT IV. AGENCY AND PURPOSE Part Three: On Dialectic I. THE DIALECTIC OF CONSTITUTIONS II. DIALECTIC IN GENERAL Appendix Index

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Book SynopsisThe Routledge Handbook of Women and Early Modern European Philosophy is an outstanding reference source for the wide range of philosophical contributions made by women writing in Europe from about 1560 to 1780. It shows the range of genres and methods used by women writing in these centuries in Europe, thus encouraging an expanded understanding of our historical canon. Comprising 46 chapters by a team of contributors from all over the globe, including early career researchers, the Handbook is divided into the following sections:I. Context II. Themes A. Metaphysics and Epistemology B. Natural Philosophy C. Moral Philosophy D. Social-Political PhilosophyIII. FiguresIV. State of the Field The volume is essential reading for students and researchers in philosophy who are interested in expanding their understanding of the richness of our philosophical past, including in order to offer expanded, more inclusive syllabi for their students. It is also a valuable resource for those in related fields like gender and womenâs studies; history; literature; sociology; history and philosophy of science; and political science.

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Book SynopsisThis rewritten and updated edition takes account of recent Kantian literature. It includes a new discussion of the 'Third Analogy', an expanded discussion of Kant's 'Paralogisms' and new chapters on Kant's theory of reason, theology and the 'Appendix to the Dialectic'.

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Book SynopsisThis is a much-needed reissue of the standard English translation of Hegel''s Philosophy of Nature, originally published in 1970. The Philosophy of Nature is the second part of Hegel''s Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Sciences, all of which is now available in English from OUP (Part I being his Logic, Part III being his Philosophy of Mind). Hegel''s aim in this work is to interpret the varied phenomena of Nature from the standpoint of a dialectical logic. Those who still think of Hegel as a merely a priori philosopher will here find abundant evidence that he was keenly interested in and very well informed about empirical science. The Philosophy of Nature is integral to his philosophical system and deserves the most serious attention. Students and scholars of Hegel and the history of European philosophy will welcome the availability of this important text, which also includes a translation of Hegel''s Zusatze or lecture notes.Table of Contents1. MECHANICS; 2. PHYSICS; 3. ORGANICS

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Book SynopsisG W F Hegel (1770-1831), the influential German philosopher, believed that human history was advancing spiritually and morally according to God's purpose. This title notes the complex and controversial history of Hegel's text.Trade Review"Hegel's Geschichte der Philosophie was one of the grand products of the renaissance in historical learning that took place in early nineteenth-century Germany. . . . Hegel remains relevant today for his recognition that any self-critical philosophy must include a knowledge of its own history. A self-aware philosopher, Hegel firmly believed, knew where his ideas came from and their social and cultural context. . . . This is still the only available translation of all three volumes of Hegel's history."—Frederick C. Beiser, The Fate of Reason: German Philosophy from Kant to Fichte“The main reason why Hegel will remain worthy of study lies in his incomparable gathering together of the whole range of human experience into vital connection with what is best in that experience. . . . He is, without doubt, the Aristotle of our post-Renaissance world.”—J. N. Findlay, Hegel: A Re-examination

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Book SynopsisVolume 4 of The Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche contains two works, Mixed Opinions and Maxims (1879) and The Wanderer and His Shadow (1880), originally published separately, then republished together in the 1886 edition of Nietzsche''s works. They mingle aphorisms drawn from notebooks of 1875-79, years when worsening health forced Nietzsche toward an increasingly solitary existence. Like its predecessor, Human, All Too Human II is above all an act of resistance not only to the intellectual influences that Nietzsche felt called upon to critique, but to the basic physical facts of his daily life. It turns an increasingly sharply formulated genealogical method of analysis toward Nietzsche''s persistent concernsmetaphysics, morality, religion, art, style, society, politics and culture. The notebook entries included here offer a window into the intellectual sources behind Nietzsche''s evolution as a philosopher, the reading and self-reflection that nouriTrade Review"This series will become the definitive resource for English readers."—Gary Shapiro, University of Richmond"Stanford University Press is doing Nietzsche studies and readers in the English-speaking world a great service through its support and publication of this series of translations of Nietzsche's texts. The Colli-Montinari (de Gruyter) critical edition of Nietzsche's writings, on which they are based, is the German-language 'gold standard' for Nietzsche scholarship. The Stanford series, as it fills out, will undoubtedly come to hold comparable pride of place for English-speaking readers world-wide."—Richard Schacht, University of Illinois

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Book SynopsisThis captivating collection brings together five of Friedrich Nietzche’s most important philosophical works, exploring themes such as nihilism, metaphysics, and the nature of morality—featuring an introduction by Peter Gay and commentary from Martin Heidegger, Albert Camus, and Gilles DeleuzeMore than one hundred years after his death, Friedrich Nietzsche remains the most influential philosopher of the modern era. Basic Writings of Nietzsche gathers the complete texts of five of Nietzsche’s most important works, from his first book to his last: The Birth of Tragedy, Beyond Good and Evil, On the Genealogy of Morals, The Case of Wagner, and Ecce Homo.  Edited and translated by the great Nietzsche scholar Walter Kaufmann, this volume also features seventy-five aphorisms, selections from Nietzsche’s correspondence, and variants from drafts for Ecce Homo. It is a definitive guide to the full

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Book SynopsisQuestions for Further Consideration and Recommended Further Reading, which follow each relevant chapter, encourage readers to think further and to craft their own perspectives.Trade ReviewA very fine book on human nature, both what it is and what philosophers have thought about it--philosophers in an inclusive sense, from Plato and Aristotle to Mengzi and Xunzi, from Hume and Kant to Ibn al-Arabi to Marx and Rousseau and including many others. The writing is lively and accessible, the philosophy insightful, and the sense of human possibilities conveyed admirable. It will fit nicely into many different sorts of classes. --John Perry, Stanford UniversityI find this text very good and comprehensive for an introductory level course to introduce students to some major theories. The first two chapters are great for setting the stage for what philosophy is. --Patricia Murphy, Saint Joseph's University

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Book SynopsisThe Blackwell Dictionary of Western Philosophy is a concise reference to the whole history of western philosophy, from ancient Greece to the present day.Trade Review"Its entries manage to avoid the obscurities of an exaggerated brevity without stretching themselves out as if seeking to embody whole miniature essays. In short it presents itself as a model of clarity and clarification." Alan Montefiore, Balliol College, Oxford "The style is fresh and engaging, and it gives a broad and accurate picture of the Western philosophical tradition. It is a pleasure to browse in even if one is not looking for an answer to a particular question." David Pears "The book makes for interesting browsing, and there is a lot of information to be found in it." Analytic Teaching "People studying philosophy- at higher levels of school and college and lower levels of university- will find the coverage here highly satisfying. Value for money of the best kind." Reference ReviewsTable of ContentsPreface vii Dictionary 1 References 745

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Book SynopsisPart of The Blackwell Readings in Philosophy Series, this survey of ancient philosophy explores the scope of ancient philosophy, focusing on the key philosophers and their texts, examining how the foundations of philosophy as we know it were laid. Focuses on the key philosophers and their texts, from Pre-Socratic thinkers through to the Neo-Platonists Brings together the key primary writings of Thales, Xenophanes, Parmenides, Anaxagoras, Gorgias, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Lucretius, Seneca, Sextus Empiricus, Plotinus, and many others Is broken down into eight chronological sections for easy comprehension and comparison The readings are accompanied by expert commentary from the editors Table of ContentsAcknowledgments. List of Sources. Chronology. Map 1 The Greek World (6th–5th centuries BCE). Map 2 The Hellenistic Period (323–31 BCE). Map 3 The Late Roman Empire. General Introduction. I: The Presocratics and Sophists:. 1. The Milesians: Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes. 2. Xenophanes of Colophon, Heracleitus of Ephesus, and Pythagoras of Samos. 3. The Eleatics: Parmenides, and Zeno of Elea and Melissus of Samos. 4. The Pluralists: Empedocles of Acragas and Anaxagoras of Clazomenae. 5. The Atomists: Leucippus of Elea (or Miletus) and Democritus of Abdera. 6. The Sophists: Protagoras of Abdera, Gorgias of Leontini, and Antiphon. II: Xenophon:. Introduction. 7. Memorabilia. III: Plato:. Introduction. 8. Euthyphro. 9. Apology. 10. Crito. 11. Meno. 12. Phaedo. 13. Symposium. 14. Republic. 15. Parmenides. 16. Timaeus. IV: Aristotle:. Introduction. 17. Categories. 18. On Interpretation. 19. Physics. 20. On the Soul. 21. Metaphysics. 22. Nicomachean Ethics. 23. Politics. V: Diogenes the Cynic:. Introduction. 24. Diogenes Laertius, Life of Diogenes. VI: Epicurus and Epicureanism:. Introduction. 25. Epicurus, Letter to Herodotus; Letter to Menoeceus; Principle Doctrines. 26. Lucretius, On the Nature of Things. VII: Stoics and Stoicism:. Introduction. 27. Diogenes Laertius on Stoicism. 28. Epictetus, Manual. VIII: Skeptics and Skepticism:. Introduction. 29. Diogenes Laertius, Life of Pyrrho. 30. Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism. 31. Sextus Empiricus, Against the Professors. IX: Neoplatonism:. Introduction. 32. Plotinus, Enneads. 33. Proclus, On Evil. Bibliography. Recommended Further Reading (English-Language Sources). Index.

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Book SynopsisHobbes created the first truly modern political philosophy.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA concise, comprehensive overview of the “M Theory” and its application in today’s world, by a renowned American philosopher Ken Wilber has long been hailed as one of the most important thinkers of our time, but his work has seemed inaccessible to readers who lack a background in consciousness studies or evolutionary theory—until now. In A Theory of Everything, Wilber uses clear, non-technical language to present complex, cutting-edge theories that integrate the realms of body, mind, soul, and spirit. He then demonstrates how these theories and models can be applied to real world problems and incorporated into readers’ everyday lives. Wilber begins his study by presenting models like “spiral dynamics”—a leading model of human evolution—and his groundbreaking “all-level, all-quadrant” model for integrating science and religion, showing how they are being applied to politics, medicine, business, education, and the environment. He also covers broader models, explaining how they can integrate the various worldviews that have been developed around the world throughout the ages. Finally, Wilber proposes that readers take up an integral transformative practice—such as meditation—to help them apply and develop this integral vision in their personal, daily lives. A fascinating and easy-to-follow exploration of the “M Theory,” this book is another tour-de-force from one of America’s most inventive minds.

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Book Synopsis"God Crucified" and Other Essays on the New Testament's Christology of Divine Identity The basic thesis of this important book on New Testament Christology, sketched in the first essay 'God Crucified, is that the worship of Jesus as God was seen by the early Christians as compatible with their Jewish monotheism. Jesus was thought to participate in the divine identity of the one God of Israel. The other chapters provide more detailed support for, and an expansion of, this basic thesis. Readers will find not only the full text of Bauckham's classic book God Crucified, but also groundbreaking essays, some of which have never been published previously

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Book SynopsisThe first volume of this series presents fifteen selected papers dealing with a variety of topics in ontology, philosophy of mind, and philosophy of language.Trade ReviewThe essays are unsurpassed in their clarity and characterized by a complete intellectual honesty. * The Modern Schoolman *The essays are unsurpassed in their clarity and characterized by a complete intellectual honesty. * The Modern Schoolman *

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Book SynopsisAvailable for the first time in the English language, this is a complete and annotated translation of a key work by the twelfth-century Muslim philosopher, Averroes (Ibn Rushd). Acknowledged as the leading transmitter of Aristotelian th ought, Averroes also held controversial views about the re lationship between faith and reason, arguing that religion should not be allowed to impose limits on the exercise of rational thought. His theory of rationality, along with others on language, justice and the interpretation of religious texts, is clearly presented here, in a work that provides the most comprehensive picture available of Averroes's great intellectual achievements.

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Book SynopsisPostcolonial African Philosophy: A Critical Reader sets out a timely and powerful agenda for contemporary African, Afro-Caribbean, and African American philosophy.Trade Review"We are indeed blessed to have Eze's up-to-date and magnificent anthology. It brings together some of the most stimulating texts of African philosophy. Its ambitious effort will serve well all those interested in African Studies and students and professionals of philosophy in general." V. Y. Mudimbe, Stanford University " Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze has assembled a collection of essays that will be a most substantial contribution to making the case for African philosophy. Not just by the persuasiveness of each argument, but, as well, by virtue of each person who contributes to the effort. One important effect will be to further the development of African philosophy by moving the discussion well beyond the potential danger of confinement within improper conceptions of raciality not simply by attacking racialized thought, but via the constitutive activities of the contributors. This collection is, then, to be read and pondered in a number of respects in order to appreciate fully the very important contribution it is. " Professor Lucius Outlaw, Haverford CollegeTable of ContentsIntroduction: Philosophy and the (post) Colonial: Emmanuel Chuckwudi Eze (Bucknell University). 1. Philosophy, Culture and Technology in the Postcolonial: Kwame Gyekye (University of Ghana). 2. Is Modern Science a European System of Knowledge?: Sandra Harding (University of Delaware). 3. African Philosophy and Modernity: Peter Amato (Fordham University). 4. The Color of Reason: The Idea of Race in Kant's Anthropology: Emmanuel Chukwudi Eze (Bucknell University). 5. The Critique of Eurocentrism and the Practice of African Philosophy: Tsenay Serequeberhan (Simmons College). 6. Critic of Boers or Africans? Arendt's Treatment of South Africa in Origins of Totalitarianism: Gail Presby (Marist College). 7. African Philosophy's Challenge to Continental Philosophy: Robert Bernasconi (Memphis University). 8. Understanding African Philosophy from a Non-African Point of View: An Exercise in Cross-Cultural Philosophy: Richard Bell (College of Wooster). 9. Alterity, Dialogue, and African Philosophy: Bruce Janz (Augustana University College). 10. Tragic Dimensions of our Neocolonial 'Postcolonial World': Lewis Gordon (Purdue University). 11. Honor, Eunuchs, and the Postcolonial Subject: Leonard Harris (Purdue University). 12. Post-Philosophy and the Post-Colonial: John Pittman (John Jay College of Criminal Justice). 13. African Philosophy and the Post-Colonial: Some Misleading Abstractions about 'Identity': D. A. Masolo (Antioch College). 14. Democracy and Consensus in African Traditional Politics: A Plea for Non-Party Polity: Kwasi Wiredu (University of South Florida). 15. Of the Good use of Tradition: Keeping the Critical Perspective in African Philosophy: Jean-Marie Makang (University of Maryland). 16. Toward a Critical Theory of African (Post) Colonial Identities: Emmanuel Chuckwudi Eze (Bucknell University). Bibliography.

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Book SynopsisPresented with Kierkegaard's notes of the celebrated Berlin lectures on "positive philosophy" by FWJ Schelling, this book is a seedbed of Kierkegaard's subsequent work, both stylistically and thematically. It concentrates on Socrates, as interpreted by Xenophon, Plato, and Aristophanes, with a word on Hegel and Hegelian categories.Trade Review"The definitive edition of the Writings. The first volume ... indicates the scholarly value of the entire series: an introduction setting the work in the context of Kierkegaard's development; a remarkably clear translation; and concluding sections of intelligent notes."--Library JournalTable of Contents*Frontmatter, pg. i*Contents, pg. v*Historical Introduction, pg. vii*The Concept of Irony, with Continual Reference to Socrates, pg. 1*Theses, pg. 5*Introduction, pg. 9*I. The View Made Possible, pg. 13*II. The Actualization of the View, pg. 157*III. The View Made Necessary, pg. 198*APPENDIX. Hegel's View of Socrates, pg. 219*Introduction, pg. 241*Observations for Orientation, pg. 246*The World-Historical Validity of Irony, the Irony of Socrates, pg. 259*Irony after Fichte, pg. 272*Irony as a Controlled Element, the Truth of Irony, pg. 324*Addendum. NOTES OF SCHELLING'S BERLIN LECTURES, pg. 331*Key to References, pg. 413*Original Title Pages of The Concept of Irony, pg. 416*Original First Page (manuscript) of Notes of Schelling's Berlin Lectures, pg. 420*Selected Entries from Kierkegaard's Journals and Papers Pertaining to The Concept of Irony, pg. 423*Acknowledgments, pg. 457*Collation of The Concept of Irony in the Danish Editions of Kierkegaard's Collected Works, pg. 461*NOTES, pg. 465*BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE, pg. 597*INDEX, pg. 599

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive and authoritative anthology of Indian philosophy, from antiquity to the twentieth centuryThe Sourcebook of Indian Philosophy offers a comprehensive and authoritative introduction to the philosophical wisdom of ancient and modern India. Edited by two leading authorities, Indian philosopher-statesman Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and American philosopher Charles Moore, this compact anthology presents the chief riches of more than 3,000 years of Indian philosophical thought—the ancient Vedas, the Upanisads, the Bhagavad-gita and other epics, the works of the heterodox and orthodox systems (including Jainism, Buddhism, Yoga, and Vedanta), and modern writings. Featuring substantial selections from these key texts and systems, brief introductions to each selection, and a general introduction that gives a short history and outline of Indian philosophy, this anthology offers readers a thorough survey of India’s great and lasting contribution to world thought. For the full contents, please see below:PrefaceGeneral IntroductionThe Vedic Period:1. The Vedas2. The UpanisadsThe Epic Period:3. The Bhagavad-gita4. The Mahabharata5. The Laws of Manu6. Kautilya’s Artha-sastraThe Heterodox Systems:7. Carvaka8. Jainism9. BuddhismThe Orthodox Systems:10. Nyaya11. Vaisesika12. Samkhya13. Yoga14. Purva Mimamsa15. Vedanta: Samkara, Ramanuja, and MadhvaContemporary Thought:16. Sri Aurobindo17. Sarvepalli RadhakrishnanAppendices (including a pronunciation guide)BibliographyIndexTrade Review"This book ... is not only for the Western student, but for all of us who must gauge our impacted twentieth-century world and find our path in its confusion."--The New York TimesTable of Contents*FrontMatter, pg. i*Preface, pg. ix*Contents, pg. xv*General Introduction, pg. xvii*Chapter I. The Vedas, pg. 3*Chapter II. The Upanisads, pg. 37*Introduction, pg. 99*Chapter III. The Bhagavad-Gita, pg. 101*Chapter IV. The Mahabharata, pg. 164*Chapter V. The Laws of Manu, pg. 172*Chapter VI. Kautilya's Artha-Sastra, pg. 193*Chapter VII. Carvaka, pg. 227*Chapter VIII. Jainism, pg. 250*Chapter IX. Buddhism, pg. 272*Introduction, pg. 349*Chapter X. Nyaya, pg. 356*Chapter XI. Vaisesika, pg. 386*Chapter XII. Samkhya, pg. 424*Chapter XIII. Yoga, pg. 453*Chapter XIV. Purva Mimamsa, pg. 486*Chapter XV. Vedanta, pg. 506*Chapter XVI. Sri Aurobindo, pg. 575*Chapter XVII. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, pg. 610*Appendices, pg. 638*Bibliography, pg. 643*Index, pg. 671

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"One of CHOICE’s Outstanding Academic Titles for 2017""Longlisted for the 2017 Bronisław Geremek First Academic Book Prize, College of Europe""The task that Hugo Drochon sets himself is to reinsert some political content into Nietzsche and show that he had a systematic political theory. The result is a superb case of deep intellectual renewal and the most important book to have been written about him in the past few years."---Gavin Jacobson, New Statesman"There is no lack of contemporary publications that deal forthrightly with Nietzsche’s political thinking: these include Hugo Drochon’s Nietzsche’s Great Politics. "---Alex Ross, New Yorker"This book is not so much a reclamation of his [Nietzsche's] thinking on the subject as a reconstruction of the development of political thinking in the philosopher's works, so often missed by those who require thinking and expression less profound to make sense of such. Coherent, detailed and balanced."---Daniel Binney, Times Higher Education"The book achieves its stated goal with aplomb as it follows the development of political ideas in Nietzsche's works, and it deserves to become a standard reference text for advanced students and Nietzsche scholars."---Mina Mitreva, Past Imperfect"In this compelling and accessible study, Drochon--a historian of 19th- and 20th-century political thought--argues the affirmative case, contending that Nietzsche articulated a ‘great politics' centered on the unification of Continental Europe under the aegis of a cultivated, interbred class of superior individuals who would ultimately lead a geopolitical struggle against Great Britain and Russia for world supremacy. . . . One can find lots of books on Nietzsche, but this one stands out for its clarity and excellence." * Choice *"Hugo Drochon sets out to show that Nietzsche had a 'politics' after all. [He] in large part succeeds, and gives an illuminating account of Nietzsche's vision for a unified, cosmopolitan Europe. . . . This is a learned book that does a nice job of situating Nietzsche in his social and political context. . . . Drochon’s is a book from which one will learn a great deal, and . . . Will challenge us to reconsider our opinions about Nietzsche and his place in history."---Andrew Huddleston, Times Literary Supplement"Necessary reading for anyone working on Nietzsche as a political thinker. . . . Drochon provides a fine way into these questions surrounding Nietzsche's thought about great politics. He provides a scrupulous account of Nietzsche’s political thought and a stimulating argument for a way of taking Nietzsche seriously from a political point of view."---Barry Stocker, Los Angeles Review of Books"A thought-provoking contribution to the debate over Nietzsche's politics. . . . [It] contains plenty to interest the contemporary Nietzsche scholar, providing insight into Nietzsche's political statements and offering a tantalising glimpse into his preparations for a great role in the politics of his age."---Simon Townsend, Contemporary Political Theory"Drochon's book largely succeeds. . . . He demonstrates that Nietzsche had political considerations that stretched with some consistency across his career, which should be sufficient to call Nietzsche a political philosopher, and, indeed the sort of political philosopher ill-suited to Nazi appropriation."---Natasha Leonard, Dissent"There is much to recommend in Drochon's bold, erudite, and lucid study of Nietzsche's political thought. In particular, Drochon should be commended for meeting the rigorous demands of a contextualist methodology while also demonstrating Nietzsche's contemporary relevance. Drochon's philosophic interpretation is thus both historically grounded and timely. Nietzsche's Great Politics will surely open up new areas of research and revitalize ostensibly settled questions of interpretation."---Paul Wilford, The Review of Politics"Nietzsche’s Great Politics by Hugo Drochon is one of the most creative and original efforts to mould Nietzsche’s thought to the challenges of our age. Nietzsche always wanted to have creative and critical readers and this book certainly lives up to that ideal."---Damian Valdez, History of European Ideas"A realist interpretation of Nietzsche’s politics . . . well written and readable. . . . While Nietzsche’s political analyses of the late nineteenth century act as a well-timed reminder of both the fragility and worth of European integration, the general premises of his political philosophy provide us with highly useful conceptual tools for rethinking many of our political categories."---Gulsen Seven, Political Studies Review"Among the most illuminating studies that have been written on the topic of Nietzsche's political thought. . . .Those who confidently maintain that Nietzsche has no 'politics' will be forced, if not to abandon their view completely, then seriously to reconsider it." * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *"It is to the supreme credit of Hugo Drochon’s Nietzsche’s Great Politics to see that . . . his study succeeds in delivering a well-researched and thoughtful analysis of Nietzsche’s 'great politics' in the context of both Nietzsche’s writings and their cultural and political settings. . . . A provocative and timely study."---Dale Wilkerson, Review of Metaphysics"Drochon’s book is an important contribution to the ongoing debate about the question whether Nietzsche should be regarded as a political thinker. . . . The whole book, which also focuses on Nietzsche’s views about the Greeks, the state, democracy, and the relation of democracy to aristocracy, is a carefully construed and well-documented argument that Nietzsche did indeed make a contribution to political thought."---Manuel Knoll, Nietzsche-Studien"A daring and welcome attempt to re-historicize one of the nineteenth century’s most controversial philosophers, and should be read with great interest by scholars of Nietzsche, as well as students of European culture, thought and politics."---Rebecca Mitchell, Politics, Religion & Ideology"Rigorous in its close reading of the sources and written with great clarity. . . . Drochon also persuasively demonstrates that Nietzsche’s thought has a place within the canon of the history of political thought and that his political theory may prove resourceful when dealing with the specters that haunt liberal democracies and market societies today."---Dotan Leshem, Politics, Religion & Ideology"Drochon’s book is a stimulating and fascinating contribution to our understanding of Nietzsche’s enigmatic writings. Without a doubt, it will become the standard reference work for everyone interested in the philosopher’s complex political thought and its many legacies."---Udi Greenberg, Politics, Religion & Ideology"Hugo Drochon provides an invaluable service by drawing our attention to Nietzsche’s political philosophy, which he contends has been either neglected or misunderstood. . . . In a world where liberal and egalitarian pieties seem to be under strain, his views, however disquieting, merit our attention and Drochon is to be congratulated for exploring them in a subtle and sophisticated volume."---James Chappel, Politics, Religion & Ideology"A well-written and well-argued account of Nietzsche’s political vision that presents itself squarely within the tradition of Cambridge School intellectual history . . . Drochon is entirely right to conclude that Nietzsche does field a relatively coherent vision of political life, and he is also on the mark in his conclusion that Nietzsche’s politics remains a politics of the nineteenth century that cannot fully be translated into the present."---Christian J. Emden, Journal of Nietzsche Studies"In the otherwise crowded field of Nietzsche scholarship, this book has received an unusual and deserved amount of popular attention. In part, this follows from the strong reassertion today of various illiberal voices. Drochon’s concluding questions, concerning the purpose of European unity and the role of European elites, are inescapable."---Michael Lang, Journal of Modern History"Excellent. . . . Even a review essay cannot adequately capture the depth of scholarship and the originality present in [Nietzsche's Great Politics]. . . . Students of Nietzsche’s political provocations will want to read [it] in order to see how Nietzsche wrote a politics for the future predicated upon his careful reading of both his predecessors and his contemporaries."---Corey McCall, Comparative and Continental Philosophy"Hugo Drochon, a distinguished intellectual historian at Cambridge University, has in this brilliant new book pointed to another thinker who believed private protection agencies were possible. This is none other than Friedrich Nietzsche."---David Gordon, Mises Institute"Extraordinary book . . . . Drochon masterfully articulates a credible account of Nietzsche’s political action programme. . . . [A] rich, luminous and comprehensive argument."---Renato Cristi, History of Political Thought"For historians and political theorists alike, Drochon’s assessment of Nietzsche’s Great Politics sets a new standard, introducing readers to a political reading of the philosopher, and unearthing urgent new routes to be explored."---Emily Steinhauer, H-Diplo

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Book SynopsisIn The Moral Imagination, Gertrude Himmelfarb, one of America''s most distinguished intellectual historians, explores the minds and lives of some of the most brilliant and provocative thinkers of modern times. In their distinctive ways, she argues, they exemplify what Burke two centuries ago and Trilling most recently have called the moral imagination. Himmelfarb describes how each of these thinkers, coming from different traditions, responding to different concerns, and writing in different genres, shared a moral passion that permeated their work. It is this passion that makes their reflectionson politics and literature, religion and society, marriage and sexsometimes unpredictable, often controversial, always exciting, and as illuminating and pertinent today as they were then. The second edition includes a revised introduction and three new essays on Adam Smith, Lord Acton, and Alfred Marshall.Trade ReviewThe Scrapbook is a big fan of the distinguished historian Gertrude Himmelfarb,(Really, who isn't?) So we were very pleased to learn that Rowman & Littlefield has just published a new, expanded edition of her superb collection of essays The Moral Imagination. The subtitle of the 2006 edition was “From Edmund Burke to Lionel Trilling.” The new subtitle is “From Adam Smith to Lionel Trilling,” reflecting the fact that the new volume features three additional essays, on Smith, Lord Acton, and Alfred Marshall. So now you get 15 dazzling studies of men ranging from John Stuart Mill to Michael Buchan, and Walter Bagehot to Winston Churchill. And, The Scrapbook hastens to add only partly for fear of being accused of complicity in the famed war on women, not just men-the essays on Jane Austen and George Eliot are two of our favorites. Buy the book and send copies to your friends-you’ll thank us for the recommendation, and they’ll thank you (and Himmelfarb) for the reading enjoyment, the historical education, and the intellectual stimulation. * The Weekly Standard *Fresh insights are to be found throughout the book by juxtaposing authors, by understanding them within their own times, by pulling them out and learning from them as if they were our contemporaries. . . .Moral imagination is not the sum total of wisdom, but it is clear from this collection of essays that it is a necessary part of it. The subjects of her essays have helped form our moral imaginations, almost entirely for the better, and reading this book is an excellent way to see how it was done. * Society *Gertrude Himmelfarb has single-handedly revived the prestige of the Victorians. Her writings on such figures as Lord Acton, Charles Darwin, John Stuart Mill, George Eliot, and others, along with the topics of social and political life among the the Victorians, has demonstrated how truly eminent the Victorians were. Professor Himmelfarb's books make unmistakably plain that Victorian England was an artistic and intellectual period that rivaled that of fifth century Athens and was perhaps as great an era as any the western world has known. I do not know any intellectual achievement on the part of an historian over the past century that compares to Gertrude Himmelfarb's. -- Joseph EpsteinIn fifteen lapidary essays, Gertrude Himmelfarb, America's greatest historian of 19th and 20th century thinkers and their thoughts, provides a map of the intellectual terrain we still inhabit and a path to higher moral ground. -- George F. Will, syndicated columnist for The Washington PostGertrude Himmelfarb has given us history that's fun again, written in prose so graceful that you almost don't notice the breathtaking erudition. Let The Moral Imagination fall open to any random page and read. You won't stop. -- Charles MurrayGertrude Himmelfarb undertakes a subtle, often lyrical, examination of the moral sensibilities that underlie social and political life by way of a series of brilliant critiques/appreciations of the great Anglo-American writers that have most shaped hers. The result is an intellectual tour de force–a meditation on conservatism as political, philosophical and moral modesty–that is prodigiously learned, profoundly wise and remarkably timely. -- Charles KrauthammerTable of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Adam Smith: Political Economist cum Moral Philosopher Chapter 2: Edmund Burke: Apologist for Judaism? Chapter 3: George Eliot: The Wisdom of Dorothea Chapter 4: Jane Austen: The Education of Emma Chapter 5: Charles Dickens: “A Low Writer” Chapter 6: Benjamin Disraeli: The Tory Imagination Chapter 7: John Stuart Mill: The Other Mill Chapter 8: Walter Bagehot: “A Divided Nature” Chapter 9: Lord Acton: The Historian as Moralist Chapter 10: Alfred Marshall: “The Economics of Chivalry Chapter 11: John Buchan: An Untimely Appreciation Chapter 12: The Knoxes: A God-Haunted Family Chapter 13: Michael Oakeshott: The Conservative Disposition Chapter 14: Winston Churchill: “Quite Simply, a Great Man” Chapter 15: Lionel Trilling: The Moral Imagination Notes Index

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Book SynopsisAdam Smith was an eloquent man of considerable philosophical and historical learning. His most incisive and enduring observations are collected here on subjects ranging from political and economic history to morals, art, education, war, and the American colonies. Throughout, notes an admirer in the introduction, his writing is blessedly free of that use of jargon (and mathematics) that characterizes most of the modern materials in economics. His ideas are expressed in a lucid, straightforward manner that makes them accessible to all.

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