Western Philosophy: An Anthology

by John Cottingham (Editor)

The new edition of this celebrated anthology surveys the Western philosophical tradition from its origins in ancient Greece to the work of today’s leading philosophers  Western An Anthology  provides an authoritative guided tour through the great tradition of Western philosophical thought. The seminal writings of the great philosophers along with more recent readings of contemporary interest are explored in 144 substantial and carefully chosen extracts, each preceded by a lucid introduction, guiding readers through the history of a diverse range of key arguments, and explaining how important theories fit into the unfolding story of Western philosophical inquiry. Broad in scope, the anthology covers all the main branches of theory of knowledge and metaphysics, logic and language, philosophy of mind, the self and freedom, religion and science, moral philosophy, political theory, aesthetics, and the meaning of life, all in self-contained parts which can be worked on by students and instructors independently.   The third edition of the Anthology contains newly incorporated classic texts from thinkers such as Aquinas, Machiavelli, Descartes, William James, and Wittgenstein. Each of the 144 individual extracts is now followed by sample questions focusing on the key philosophical problems raised by the excerpt, and accompanied by detailed further reading suggestions that include up-to-date links to online resources. Also new to this edition is an introductory essay written by John Cottingham, which offers advice to students on how to read and write about a philosophical text.   Part of th e Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies  series,  Western An Anthology, Third Edition  remains an indispensable collection of classic source materials and expert insights for both beginning and advanced university students in a wide range of philosophy courses. 

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Reference, Politics, Science, History

944 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1996

About the author

John Cottingham is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, University of Reading.
Professor of Philosophy of Religion, University of Roehampton, London.
Visiting Professor, King’s College London.
Honorary Fellow, St John’s College, Oxford University.

John Cottingham has published over thirty books – fifteen as sole author, a further nine editions and translations, plus (either as single or joint editor) eight edited collections – together with over 140 articles in learned journals or books. From 1993-2012 he was Editor of Ratio, the international journal of analytic philosophy.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a textbook containing primarily edited, condensed, and referenced pieces of philosophy. While it does not do proper justice to any particular philosopher, it is very good at introducing one to the basic questions of philosophy in general and how the great thinkers of history approached them. The book pays particular attention to Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Locke, and Neitzsche.

[Homer David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to buy this book for my first year of undergraduate philosophy: I am now just completing my MA in ethics and I still refer to this book in almost all my essays and tasks. As an anthology you wouldn't normally 'read' this book, however, when I had time I did go back and read almost the whole thing in order, following Cottingham's introductions, which are excellent. The readings selected are famous and influential philosophy articles, so this will undoubtedly be a good introduction, to all branches of philosophy: I have found this book very useful and informative and recommend it.

[8stitches 9lives]

Epistemological Philosophy. (Innatism vs Rationalism vs Empiricism)
- Innate Knowledge (for/universal assent/innate imprinting) - Plato - Meno
- Knowledge Versus Opinion - Plato - Republic
- Demonstrative Knowledge & its Starting Points (against innate knowledge and for sensory perception and reflection to gain knowledge) - Aristotle - Posterior Analytics
- New Foundations for Knowledge (for) - Rene Decartes - Meditations
- The Senses as the Basis for Knowledge (against innate principles/against use of reason) - John Locke - Essay Concerning Human Understanding
- Innate Knowledge Defended: Gottfried Leibniz - New Essays on Human Understanding (response to Locke’s polemic on Empirical Knowledge)
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[Plasmidowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a year or two I have finally read my Western Philosophy Anthology cover to cover. One of the most rewarding reading experiences of life! This has to be one of the premiere anthologies out there - would recommend.

[Benjamin Carsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

excerpts are always weak sauce...miss me with that out of context assertion

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my textbook for Intro to Philosophy 100. We didn't go through all of it, but it was a good introduction. Of course, I wouldn't get half the stuff on my own if it wasn't for the teacher. I still remember Augustine's explanation about how God's foreknowledge of all our actions does not negate free will (a subject of my second exam paper, in part).

[Stephen Bedard · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many anthologies of western philosophy. This one is different in that instead of just giving selections from oldest to newest, it provides selections broken down according to certain philosophical questions. A good sampling of what some philosophers have said about these questions.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very concise and accessible commentary on various works of Western Philosophy. A great book for further reading into your studies.

[Karena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just got it to read a few essays (Plato, Nietzsche). Worth it.

[Kye Sonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read everything except the chapter on ethics. Ethics is boring.

[Crystal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank god this class is over!

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains all the must know superstars in the philosophical world. Can't say I value every philosophical view incorporated in the book, but they are worth knowing at the minimum.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an adventure learning all about the thought process throughout the years.

[Rosie Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it a little difficult to understand why some philosophers were chosen in certain areas and why others were not. Since I withdrew from the OU course I had bought this for I decided to donate my copy to my local library as a reference book so that others could benefit from it rather than keeping it on my shelf at home where it would only have gathered dust (and potentially notes in the margins where I disagreed!)

[Dan Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beauty of this anthology is that it separates out each branch of philosophy in to clear sections, and then sub-divides each branch in to 12 chronological sections using 12 philiosophers who developed the thinking along the way to current thought on each branch of philosophy as it is today.

[Jon]

didn't read all of this one, for some reason it had no discussion of kris kross, what's the deal

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reference for any philosophy student.

[Samuel Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely helpful anthology with useful notes and background.