Western Philosophy: An Illustrated Guide

by David Papineau (Editor)

What does it mean for someone to exist? What is truth? Are we free to choose to think or act? What is consciousness? Is human cloning justifiable? These are just some of the questions philosophers have attempted to answer, striking right at the heart of what it means to be human. This
important new book shows that philosophy need not be dry or intimidating. Its highly original treatment, combining philosophical analysis, historical and biographical background and thought-provoking illustrations, simultaneously informs and stimulates the reader.

Western An Illustrated Guide is structured thematically, in terms of major issues, with chapters on World, Mind and Body, Knowledge, Faith, Ethics and Aesthetics, and Society. Cutting across this organization by theme is a parallel organization that focuses on the great thinkers and
their influence, as well as the schools or "-isms" to which they subscribed.

A highly accessible introduction to the subject, founded upon impeccable academic scholarship, Western An Illustrated Guide offers life-changing perspectives on what really matters.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

David Papineau ( born 1947) is a British academic philosopher, born in Como, Italy.[1] He works as Professor of Philosophy of Science at King's College London and the City University of New York Graduate Center having previously taught for several years at Cambridge University where he was a fellow of Robinson College.

Papineau was born in Italy and grew up in Trinidad, England and South Africa.[citation needed] He received a BSc in mathematics from the University of Natal and a BA and PhD in philosophy from the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Ian Hacking.

He has worked in metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophies of science, mind, and mathematics. His overall stance is naturalist and realist. He is one of the originators of the teleosemantic theory of mental representation, a solution to the problem of intentionality which derives the intentional content of our beliefs from their biological purpose. He is also a defender of the a posteriori physicalist solution to the mind-body problem

Papineau was elected President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science for 1993–5, of the Mind Association for 2009–10 and of the Aristotelian Society for 2013-4

His latest book Knowing the Score (2017) is written for a general readership, and looks at a number of ways in which sporting issues cast light on long-standing philosophical problems.

Papineau lives in London with his wife, Rose Wild

Reviews

[Jason Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive overview of Western Philosophers and philosophical issues. The author seemed a bit arbitrary on what he expanded on and what he was vague on. A tad hard to understand at times.

[Fons Mariën · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a Dutch translation, called 'Filosofie'. But indeed this book deals with Western philosophy only, from the ancient Greeks to contemporary philosophers. The approach is thematic, which I think is interesting. Themes are: the world, body and mind,knowledge, belief, ethics and society, and there are for each theme many subdivisions. For each theme the relevant philosophical ideas are explained and therefor also the relevant philosophers are introduced. This approach is more interesting than a typical chronological approach. The basic ideas about the several themes that philosophy tries to answer, are dealt with. The most important philosophers of the west are introduced as well. This book is therefor a good introduction into Western philosophy.

[minttulaamanenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erittäin mielenkiintoinen ja kattava toetokirja. Layout oli todella selkeä ja kirja oli ylipäätään jäsennelty fiksusti. Pidin siitä, että kirjassa oli tuotu esille kattavasti teoriatietoa sekä kuvauksia eri filosofien näkökulmista. Tän kirjan avulla pääsi hyvin filosofian makuun!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in an easy-to-understand style, this is a good introduction to philosophical ideas and famous philosophers in Western cultures.

[Marcelo Aguila Maldonado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manual que alcanza para obtener una visión superficial de la filosofía occidental.

[Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good survey of western philosophy history, perfect for beginners as a first/second book for philosophy.

[David Stag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to rate. Author is a bit wordy, but knows the subject well and is unbiased in his reporting. The book is informative, but the subject matter is very difficult. The questions brought up are interesting (what is truth, knowledge, justice, etc.). The answers given by various philosophers, at best, are obvious to any thinking person. And at worst, many "great" philosophers thoughts are trivial, silly or pure baloney. I kept expecting some enlightenment, but rarely found anything new that I found interesting. Many philosophers' points are so obtuse, that I had to re-read many paragraphs several times to understand what was being said. If you are looking for a light read that breezes through many great thoughts of the last centuries, then this book is a one star. If you are looking for serious details on a wide variety of topics, philosophers and their thinking (e.g. you are looking for a philosopher to study further), then it is a five star.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's interesting to see how hard we've thought about things through the ages, and how often we've been wrong. Puts our own time in context and makes you wonder which things our current epoch is dead wrong about.

[E Goldberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick survey of subject. Pretty shallow but does have references.

[Eve Lumerto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, basic overview.

[Logophile (Heather) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intro to philosophy. It is hard to find a good overview of this many disparate ideas that does not abbreviate to the point of inaccuracy. I think this one does a good job.

[Were]

Great book

[Peter A. van Tilburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Offers good overview on philosophy, sometimes a little fragmentic, all short topics.

[George Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent style and presentation.