Quine: A Guide for the Perplexed

Guides for the Perplexed

by Gary Kemp

Willard Van Orman Quine is one of the most influential analytic philosophers of the latter half of the twentieth century. No serious student of modern analytic philosophy can afford to ignore Quine's work.  Yet there is no doubt that it presents a considerable challenge. The book offers clear explication and analysis of Quine's writings and ideas in all those areas of philosophy to which he contributed (except technical matters in logic). Quine's work is set in its intellectual context, illuminating his connections to Russell, Carnap and logical positivism.  Detailed attention is paid to Word and Object, Quine's seminal text, and to his important theories on the nature of truth, knowledge and reality.  This text presents an account of Quine's
philosophy as a unified whole, identifying and exploring the themes and approaches common to his seemingly disparate concerns, and showing this to be the key to understanding fully the work of this major modern thinker.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2006

Reviews

[Ryan Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Quine's ideas, requires very little prior knowledge, if any. Everything is well explained and I can find no fault with it. Definitely recommended as a foothold into the subject.

[Gary]

This is ahead of me completing the book. I intend to go through this book very slowly because it's been a long time since I read anything like this. I think Quine is one of the more interesting analytic philosophers. We'll see how it goes.

Quine interviewed by Bryan Magee.

[A. B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good thorough introduction to Quine. Explains the relevant background to understanding the thinker very well. Was clear and accessible. Quine seems a profound thinker with much that is of interest to say.