History of Western Philosophy

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970). The leading British philosopher of the twentieth century, who made major contributions in the areas of logic and epistemology. Politically active and habitually outspoken, his ethical principles twice led to imprisonment.

'Remains unchallenged as the perfect introduction to its subject ... exactly the kind of philosophy that most people would like to read, but which only Russell could possibly have written.' - Ray Monk, University of Southampton, UK'Beautiful and luminous prose, not merely classically clear but scrupulously honest.' - Isaiah Berlin'It is a witty bird's-eye view of the main figures in Western thought enlivened by references to the personalities and quirks of the thinkers themselves.' - The Week'A great philosopher's lucid and magisterial look at the history of his own subject, wonderfully readable and enlightening.' - The Observer

• Preface, Introduction, BOOK ONE - Ancient Philosophy, PART I: The Pre-Socratics, PART II: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, PART III: Ancient Philosophy after Aristotle, BOOK TWO - Catholic Philosophy, Introduction, PART I: The Fathers, PART II: The Schoolmen, BOOK THREE - Modern Philosophy, PART I: From the Renaissance to Hume, Part II: From Rousseau to the Present Day, Index