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An Introduction to Western Philosophy: Ideas and Argument from Plato to Popper
A comprehensive introduction to philosophy from Plato to Popper
512 pages, Paperback
Published November 17, 1989
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About the author
Antony Flew
95 books123 followersAntony Garrard Newton Flew (11 February 1923 – 8 April 2010) was a British philosopher. Belonging to the analytic and evidentialist schools of thought, he was notable for his works on the philosophy of religion.
Flew was a strong advocate of atheism, arguing that one should presuppose atheism until empirical evidence of a God surfaces. He also criticised the idea of life after death, the free will defence to the problem of evil, and the meaningfulness of the concept of God. In 2003 he was one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto. However, in 2004 he stated an allegiance to deism, more specifically a belief in the Aristotelian God, stating that in keeping his lifelong commitment to go where the evidence leads, he now believes in the existence of God.
He later wrote the book There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind, with contributions from Roy Abraham Varghese. This book (and Flew's conversion itself) has been the subject of controversy, following an article in the New York Times magazine alleging that Flew had mentally declined, and that Varghese was the primary author. The matter remains contentious, with some commentators including PZ Myers and Richard Carrier supporting the allegations, and others, including Flew himself, opposing them.
Flew was a strong advocate of atheism, arguing that one should presuppose atheism until empirical evidence of a God surfaces. He also criticised the idea of life after death, the free will defence to the problem of evil, and the meaningfulness of the concept of God. In 2003 he was one of the signers of the Humanist Manifesto. However, in 2004 he stated an allegiance to deism, more specifically a belief in the Aristotelian God, stating that in keeping his lifelong commitment to go where the evidence leads, he now believes in the existence of God.
He later wrote the book There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind, with contributions from Roy Abraham Varghese. This book (and Flew's conversion itself) has been the subject of controversy, following an article in the New York Times magazine alleging that Flew had mentally declined, and that Varghese was the primary author. The matter remains contentious, with some commentators including PZ Myers and Richard Carrier supporting the allegations, and others, including Flew himself, opposing them.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 26, 2024
I quite enjoyed re-famialirising myself with this volume of philosophy I have not read for over 25 years. Although I have studied all this material in much more depth, I quite like reading books like this as it helps show how one set of ideas led to another - either through further development, or through rejection and wanting to propose an alternative. I am increasingly more interested in the history of ideas more than the detailed philosophical arguments.
The book is structured partially chronologically, and partially thematically. This works well.
A few caveats. I vaguely remember when I originally read it I struggled - it claimed to be an introductory text, but I found it hard going. Twenty five years and a couple of philosophy degrees later it is reasonably straightforward, but I suspect quite challenging for someone without any training in analytic philosophy. On the other hand, it is quite light for anyone who has studied philosophy. Though not a bad reminder of certain critical arguments in the history of philosophy.
It covers pretty much the normal terrain for western philosophy, although nicely throws in some literature and other writers/thinkers who would not normally be considered as "philosophers" in the academic sense.
Flew's style is confident - he is not afraid to point out the supposed mistakes and failings of great philosophers. It is full of dry wit, which I sense from some of the other reviews may have been missed, but then again it was written over 50 years ago and styles change. You would not call this a modern book.
The book is structured partially chronologically, and partially thematically. This works well.
A few caveats. I vaguely remember when I originally read it I struggled - it claimed to be an introductory text, but I found it hard going. Twenty five years and a couple of philosophy degrees later it is reasonably straightforward, but I suspect quite challenging for someone without any training in analytic philosophy. On the other hand, it is quite light for anyone who has studied philosophy. Though not a bad reminder of certain critical arguments in the history of philosophy.
It covers pretty much the normal terrain for western philosophy, although nicely throws in some literature and other writers/thinkers who would not normally be considered as "philosophers" in the academic sense.
Flew's style is confident - he is not afraid to point out the supposed mistakes and failings of great philosophers. It is full of dry wit, which I sense from some of the other reviews may have been missed, but then again it was written over 50 years ago and styles change. You would not call this a modern book.
January 12, 2023
It's been a long journey, but I've finally finished this book.
Most of the time, I had no idea what he was talking about. It came across like a dry, rambling lecture. It was way over my head. That, and the fact that it's an "introduction", made me feel stupid. Nevertheless, I learned some things about the history of philosophy and who's who.
Most of the time, I had no idea what he was talking about. It came across like a dry, rambling lecture. It was way over my head. That, and the fact that it's an "introduction", made me feel stupid. Nevertheless, I learned some things about the history of philosophy and who's who.
May 10, 2013
I think this is only one for hardcore philosophers. I found this hard to follow and quite heavy going - you'd need to sit down in a quiet library and really take time over the passages to get the true benefit.
July 7, 2019
A comprehensive introduction. I would like to read the companion volume(s) covering Eastern philosophy now.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews