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Publisher: C. Scribner's sonsPublication date: 1885Subjects: PhilosophyPhilosophy / GeneralPhilosophy / History ... Read more

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Publisher: London, HoulstonPublication date: 1864Subjects: ScienceNotes: This is an OCR reprint. There may be numerous typos or missing text. There are no illustrations or indexes.When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there. ... Read more

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The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Volume: 3, pt. 1; Original Publisher: Printed for T. Cadell and W. Davies; Publication date: 1820; Subjects: Greece; History / Ancient / General; History / Ancient / Greece; History / Europe / Greece; Travel / Europe / Greece; ... Read more

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In this unique monograph based on years of extensive work, Chatterjee presents the historical evolution of statistical thought from the perspective of various approaches to statistical induction. Developments in statistical concepts and theories are discussed alongside philosophical ideas on the ways we learn from experience. ... Read more

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Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English.



Copleston, an Oxford Jesuit of immense erudition who once tangled with A.J. Ayer in a fabled debate about the exiatenceof God and the possibility of metaphysics, knew that seminary students were fed a woefully inadequate diet of theses and proofs, and that their familiarity with most of history's great thinkers was reduced to simplistic caricatures. Copelston sets out to redress the wrong by writing a complete history of Western philosophy, one crackling with incident and intellectual excitement - and one that gives full place to each thinker, presenting his thought in a beautifully rounded manner and showing his links to those who went before and to those who came after them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

All about Rousseau and Kant
I would echo the thoughts of "meadowreader:" this volume is mostly about Kant, who is considered one of the most difficult of all philosophers.The contents of Volume VI include an overview of the French Enlightenment, two chapters on the madman Rousseau, an overview of the German Enlightenment, and then on to pp. 182-392, which are devoted to Immanuel Kant.

With each new volume, my admiration for the stunning achievement of Father Copleston increases.He makes it possible to at least somewhat enjoy and understand the individual philosophers as individuals, but it also becomes clearer and clearer that the serious student needs to go back to page 1 of volume 1 and begin reading with full attention, probably taking notes along the way!

However, this volume by itself is a real treat for unfortunates like myself who have never understood what Kant was up to.At the very least, in simplistic terms, Kant was trying to reconcile the obvious facts about the universe uncovered by Newton with the dogmatic "we-can-know-nothing-about-the-world" attitude of David Hume.Clearly, Kant thought, Hume had missed the trail somewhere: the burning question was "Where?"

So the intellectual detective story continues!

Kant get enough
The two main players in this volume is Rosseau and Kant, whose mentality is about as different as one can fing in the field of philosophy.

Rosseau has his idealistic notion of The Noble Savage, The Social Contract, amongst other things that one can clearly see is more how he wished the world was than how it actually operated.His ideas are so blatantly wrong even given the knowledge of the times it makes one wonder why he gets so much prominence.It does make for an interesting psychological study of how a social misfit tries to justify being inept for common society.

Kant is where one finds some real meat to chew on, whether or not you agree with him.There's no doubt he created a revolution in Philosophy, but the question remains.... is he right?Is time and space an a priori construct that allows humanity to experience phenomena.Is substance an a priori construct to discern objects from one another?His argumentation for some is solid, like his ideas on substance, which has been largely substantiated through neuroscience.The notions of time and space are much more difficult, and his ideas on these are much more debatable.

The main issue is his severance of the phenomenal world of he experience with the noumenal world which is not directly experienced.He never really sufficiently links the thing-in-itself with the object as experience, which later philosophers jumped on rather rapidly.

His moral theory while claiming to be completely on reason, is really mostly emotive(as Copleston rightly states), essentially saying that do an action only if you would think it justified for another to do the same.Hence, it's wrong to lie because you wouldn't wanyt everybody to lie.While okay, it's not a good enough foundation to really make a solid base.His views on aesthetics and art are fascinating, and surprisingly the most interesting of what he wrote.

Copleston bares his teeth a little more than usual with Kant, which took this reader a little bit by surprise.Now, Copleston was a Thomist, and Kant essentially tried to destroy metaphysics as it was understood by the ancients, so it's understandable.Mostly Copleston attacked Kant because of the philosophers after Kant who took his Critique to its logical conclusion, with ridiculous results.Needless to say, a mindblowing read, and his best since Volume 3.

Balanced objectivity
Copleston has done it again.I have read the first five volumes of this history and just finished the sixth.Though he is a Jesuit (of course a Catholic) his elucidating History, which, perhaps one may think to lean slightly in favor of the Catholic point of view in regards to Epistemology and Metaphysics, among other things, comes nowhere close.He balances his own beliefs, telling the reader at some points, I believe thus and thus, while concurrently maintaining his objective role as scholar and historian of Phiolosophy.He will often make statements like, "if it is in fact true," for instance, regarding the existence of God.Though his own beliefs are ultimatley positive in this respect, he does not forget that he is writing a history and does not sacrifice the beliefs of any given philosopher for his own.


This is just one example among many in this book, and I have done so purposely for the sake of brevity.I do not enjoy reading nine and ten paragraph reviews and rarely will do so.All that needs to be said of a product, with very rare exception, can be done so in three or four paragraphs at most.

If you are thinking of purchasing this product, think no more, but act.If you have read previous volumes from this author, you do not need me to tell you how wonderful this History has been...

The Best Introduction to Philosophy Ever!
Copleston's series, "The History of Philosophy", is quite possibly the best introduction to the history of philosophical thought that has ever been published and certainly the best currently in print.

You will be hard pressed to find a better collection of solid philosophical surveys in one place.The beauty of the series is that Copleston has clearly done his research on each period and each thinker of Western philosophy.

I cannot recommend this series any more highly.It is a must-have collection for anyone who is a scholar (professional or casual) of philosophy, theology or any of the arts.

If this isn't on your bookshelf, it should be!

Good intro to Kant
More than 200 pages of Copleston's Vol. 6 is devoted to the notoriously difficult writings of Immanuel Kant, in effect a book within the book.You will find there a detailed explication of what Kant wrote, what he was trying to accomplish, and why.The discussion is both scholarly and very readable. ... Read more

Product Description
Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Review of Copleston's Ninth Volume
I'm a student, not a scholar, but I have read all nine of Copleston's volumes, so I understand the scope and style of his writing.

This volume covers a very broad range of topics. Not only does it discuss the giants like Comte and Sartre, but it also discusses about a dozen miscellaneous French trends and their proponents. Discussing small-time philosophers is common for Copleston, but this volume is more impressive than usual.

I regret that Copleston mentions nothing of Derrida and only references Focault in passing, but one could hardly expect him to wait forever--these philosophers were still developing their outlook in his old age. Also, I noticed several editing overlooks, so many so that I'm mentioning it here. It won't subtract from your overall enjoyment, but it is annyong when encoutered.

To start and finish Copleston is an amazing expreience, and I recommend it to any avid amateur in philosophical history.

A decent overview
The ninth volume of focuses mostly on the modern French philosophers.As with most modern thought, there is a general tendency away from vast metaphysical systems.A lot of the themes that were discussed amongst the British and German philosophies such as Phlosophy of Science, idealism, and the bases of ethics are again here.

The high prophet of scientific positivism is Auguste Comte, whose committed the common fallacy of thinking that the dawn of the scientific age will remove the need for religion and create a peaceful society.This was rightfully mostly abandoned after the horrors of the second World War and the subsequent atheistic totalitarian regimes that came up afterwards.

There was an attack against this sort of radical positivism in the other side by the name of Henri Bergson, who stated instinct taught the real nature of things rather than conceptual thought and the sciences.Bergson emphasized the spiritual parts of knowledge, and attacked determinists as forcing reality into their own conceptual framework.While this reader agrees instinct before language enters though lends the closest view of reality, Bergson didn't seem to understand the need of analytical thought and observation in developing innate instinct, seemingly giving it an almost supernatural quality.

The section on the philosophy of Science I wich Copleston would have spent more time on.He never mentions Popper in any of his outlines of Philosophy of Science(knocked down a star for exactly this reason), and there is the problem that he only spends a few pages on each philosopher here, not giving nearly enough time to give a really good overview of their thought.

Some of the most interesting, and unintentionally hilarious, parts come from the section on Sartre.He makes it well known his annoyance with Sartre's redicuoulsly obtuse language.His thought is certainly unique, saying consciousness is a nullifying aspect on being on his environment, stating the absolute freedom, and his nihilistic views on ethics.Even though I disagreed with almost everything he has to say, at first glance his thought seemed shockingly rational.It's only when one looks at the way he uses terms and comparing it with ones own experience can one start to see the chinks, and Copleston's criticisms hit the nail on the head in this section.

Probably the most pathetic game of semantics this reader has ever seen is Sartre trying to synthesize Marxism and his radical existentialism.Never mind that Marxism and human freedom and about as antithetical as one can come by, it doesn't stop Sartre from playing elaborate word games to justify his political persuasions.While I respect his emphasis on personal responsibility, the politicizing of his philosophy as well as debauchery in his personal life speaks poorly of him.

A hard trudge, and very dull at times, but worth the effort to finish.

The Best Introduction of Philosophy Out There!
Copleston's series, "The History of Philosophy", is quite possibly the best introduction to the history of philosophical thought that has ever been published and certainly the best currently in print.

You will be hard pressed to find a better collection of solid philosophical surveys in one place.The beauty of the series is that Copleston has clearly done his research on each period and each thinker of Western philosophy.

I cannot recommend this series any more highly.It is a must-have collection for anyone who is a scholar (professional or casual) of philosophy, theology or any of the arts.

If this isn't on your bookshelf, it should be!

Buy now/read now
Copelston is one of the pre-emienent thinkers of philosophical history. Every one should read his entire works including this fine volume. ... Read more

Product Description

This update of the original version focuses on sixcentral problems in the critical philosophy of history and exploresthe connections among them. Starting with thefundamentals of each philosophical topic in history and then delvinginto the specifics of each to better understand the surroundingissues, the reference first offers a comprehensive introduction intothese topics then covers explanation and understanding ... objectivityand value judgment .. causes in history ... the nature and role ofnarrative ... and historical determinism. Suitable forstudents, professors, and anyone else interested in the philosophy ofhistory.

Customer Reviews (2)

recommendation
The purchase was very simple, and they had the available book, the times and delivery of the product was made under the engaged conditions. I recommend this company for their quality and responsibility. I recommend this company for their quality and responsibility.

Another Excellent Intro
Originally published in 1964, `Philosophy of History' by William Dray is an instalment in the Prentice-Hall Foundations of Philosophy Series.

As with the other instalments in this excellent series, this is a short book (approx. 150 pages) aimed at introducing the subject, some of its key contributors and issues.The book can be roughly divided into two parts.The first part, discusses the question of what is the philosophy of history.This section touches on important questions; such as is history subjective or objective? And what do these terms mean in this context.

In the latter part, Dray examines the views of three well-known commentators in this field; Hegel, Toynbee and Niebuhr.From my perspective, this aspect is particularly well done.These thinkers, especially Hegel, can be difficult to understand; Dray does a commendable job of situating their views.

Overall it is another excellent addition to an outstanding series.I recommend it to students of philosophy and history.
... Read more

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This is the definitive companion to the study of the philosophy of history. It provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to all the major philosophical concepts, issues and debates raised by history. Ideal for undergraduate students in philosophy and history, the structure and content closely reflect the way the philosophy of history is studied and taught.The book offers a lucid treatment of existing approaches to the philosophy of history and also breaks new ground by extending the major debates in this area of growing philosophical interest. Subjects examined include: the centrality of historical language; objections to historical truth and realism; the relationship between the philosophy of history and the philosophy of science; historical interpretation and narrative; philosophical accounts of historical reasoning from the evidence. The text clearly presents and criticises the arguments of the major philosophers and historians who have contributed to our understanding of the philosophy of history.Mark Day's rigorous analysis is supplemented by useful pedagogical features, including key examples from historical and philosophical writing; summaries of core debates; study questions; and guides to further reading. ... Read more

Product Description
Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Review of Copleston's History, Volume Seven
My Credentials:

I'm merely a student of philosophy for the time being, not a teacher, so I'm no scholar. I have, however, read Copleston through the seventh volume, so I'm certainly a veteran of his History; I know its strengths and weaknesses.

Review:

The volume does a wonderful job of delineating the complex systems of metaphysical idealism, which I was somewhat intimated to approach. Copleston is esoterically extensive in his consideration of Fitche, Schelling and Hegel. Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard are well-treated.

The volume is also strong in its covering of minor thinkers (as are ALL Copleston volumes).

The volume is utterly pathetic in its examination of the twentieth-century German titans: Husserl and Hiedegger. I would also argue that it is weak in its examination of Nietzsche, but I may be over estimating this philosopher's position in history.

Good overview of mostly terrible philosophers
After Kant left wreckage of classical philosophy, but leaving fundamental flaws in his own Copernican Revolution, it seems the people after him took to such lengths as to add to his errors, hence the dawning of the idealists.

They were obsessed with the idea of subject and object.The idealists thought that there was an infinite will.They started with Philosophy of the first science, stating fundamental truths.Why are they fundamental truths?Because they said so.Hence was the problem.They threw around infinite will, absolute ego, absolute consciousness, ad nauseum until it made you wonder whether they had any idea what they were talking about.

The main problem is that they essentially thought the individual is the way the absolute ego becomes conscious of himself, so in essence we're all the same unified blob that simply thinks we're completely separate entities.They keep talking about self-realization and other warm fuzzies that just struck this reader as silly sophistry.

In all honesty, Fichte and Schelling had some good things to say, though their underlying mentality was flawed.Hegel was nauseating, and the worst case of mental masturbation this reader has ever encountered.Copleston defended Hegel a few times, essentially saying "It isn't completely empty-headed blather, hear him out a little."No, it really was that dumb.

After their silly ponderings the cynical but down to earth writing of Schopenhauer was welcomed.

It's really a shame such little space was devoted to Kierkegaard, who had more poignant things to say than all the idealists combined.Nietzsche gets more attention, but his musings are less philosophical investigations as vicious ranting.

A shame Copleston chose to focus so much on such lightweights, but this reader might have missed something too.

The Best Introduction to Philosophy Out There!
Copleston's series, "The History of Philosophy", is quite possibly the best introduction to the history of philosophical thought that has ever been published and certainly the best currently in print.

You will be hard pressed to find a better collection of solid philosophical surveys in one place.The beauty of the series is that Copleston has clearly done his research on each period and each thinker of Western philosophy.

I cannot recommend this series any more highly.It is a must-have collection for anyone who is a scholar (professional or casual) of philosophy, theology or any of the arts.

If this isn't on your bookshelf, it should be!
... Read more

Product Description
First set forth in lectures given at the University of Berlin in the 1820s, Hegel's "Introduction to the Philosophy of History" fully explores his ideas on many of the major and minor philosophers who preceded him on the subject of world history. Essentially, Hegel wished to demonstrate that history follows reason, and hence the direction and meaning of history could possibly be discovered. Hegel traced a progression of understanding from Eastern pantheism to a more individualistic and freedom-producing understanding in his own time. Ultimately, Hegel attributes the natural progress of history to an absolute spirit, and that in acknowledging this spirit, as well as the evil in history, reason can clearly be seen also, reconciling the two. A dense but richly informative and thorough work, Hegel's remarkable mind clearly excels in this more major work in his writings. ... Read more

Product Description
Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

As always, excellent
One could almost say that volume 2 was a buildup to volume 3.In volume 2 Scholasticism and Neoplatonism was forged from Greek philosophy in order to create a Christian worldview.While there were changes made, like Aquinas modifying some of the conjectures of Aristotle and Augustine doing the same of Platonism, there was no real direct attack on these two thinkers.Aristotle's philosophy was almost synonymous with philosophy instead of a subset of philosophy.

Here some of the doors are burst wide open, lead mostly by William of Ockham.Here he tears apart much of Aquinas's proofs for the existence of God, attacked many of the traditional ideas concerning universals, and paved the way to the emphasis on empirical study.Whether one agrees or not with the man, his thought was a much needed critique of established wisdom that too often degraded to spurious conjecture.

There is some modified Scholasticism in the book by Suarez, who extends much of what Aquinas wrote, ans well as political philosophy developedmuch in part by the tension between Papal power and the powers of the State.Indeed, there is much here that paved the way for a new form of republic to emerge, as many of the philosophers states(rightly in my opinion), that political power was derived by God through the people, and a tyrant has no right of Authority.

Like always, Copleston treats everyone fairly, and most certainly seems to have done his research given the depth of knowledge and a staggering bibliography.If you have time to tackle Copleston, you'll be rewarded for doing so.

Very useful tool in any serious study od philosophy
Despite a lack in deep understanding of the subject itself, the work of Mr Copleston is a big contribution to the realm of philosophy. In his book we may always find detail historical facts often missing under similar titles in the books of other authors, however more prominent in their speculative backgrounds. Very interesting, particularly in this volume nr.3, which comprises the period of scholastic, is his own, less historical, views and standpoints toward the philosophy. If not a real philosophical deed, this book is indeed a challenge to every philosopher. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Philosophy of History: God's Story
R.J. Rushdoony's writing has always been grounded on the foundation of Christian Theism (CT). He never left the sure and immutable fount of the Triune God of the Bible, though just a few years ago he died after authoring dozens of books. "The Biblical Philosophy of History"finds the erudite Rushdoony mature, confident,and ready to press the crown rights of Christ on history and its undistorted intention.

The author rests his entire view of history on the sovereign God from which the Lord decreed every act which played out in history, both small and large. The lives of all men, time, creation, and interpretation of history all have true meaning within God's specific and comprehensive design and purpose.

No other worldview can furnish the a priori necessities to account for historical purpose and meaning. If one denies CT as one's driving presupposition, one fails to establish the pre-essentials for truth required for a invariable philosophy of history.

Furthermore the tools the historian applies in attempting to discern true history (if he affirms one can know anything true about history; historians who deny such, stultify themselves inasmuch as they are asserting something true about history: that it is true that one cannot know anything true about history).

The necessary rational instruments that the historian employs are the Law of Identity, The Law of Non-contradiction, and Moral Law. These laws are immaterial immutable universals. A material mutable particular cosmos fails to ground these universals. Only CT furnishes the epistemic credentials to ground the Laws of Thought forasmuch as God is immutable and universal in knowledge and power.

Since Rushdoony read about a book a day for sixty years, he knows how to communicate in an easy-to-understand manner. This is a good introduction in Rushdoony's application of Van Til's thought on a momentous topic.
Letter to an Atheist Nation: Presupositional Apologetics Responds To: Letter to a Christian ... Read more

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Apparently history sometimes takes place in alphabetical order. ... Read more

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The history and philosophy of Christian education are woven together to present a holistic look at Christian education, where it's come from, where it is, where it may be going. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent Introduction to the History of Church Education
In my humble opinion, Gangel has written an excellent title on the history and philosophy of church history and how it has changed over the years.

Some of the topics include:

1.Greek Philosophy and Its Impact on Christian Thought.
2.Church Education in the Early Church.
3.Renaissance Man and Cultural Renewal.
4.Reformation Dawn and the Light of Christian Education.
5.Pietism and the Moravians.
6.New England and the Puritans.
7.Horace Busnell and the Sunday School Movement.
8.Psychologism and Evangelicalism.

Again, these are only a few of the topics.The book contains a total of 18 chapters, so there are other topics concerning Christian Education over years.

An excellent title for understanding the changing nature of Christian Education.Ready and enjoy.

Recommended!

The History and Philosophy of Christian Education
Excellent source of the history of education (since originally educationwas for the purpose of learning about God) from a Christian perspective. Well written and interesting to those who want to know about ChristianEducation.Well documented and good bibliography. ... Read more