Philosophical Tales

Martin Cohen is a teacher and writer specializing in philosophy, ethics and education, with a special interest in computing. His books include 101 Philosophy Problems (2nd edn., 2001), Political Philosophy (2001), 101 Ethical Dilemmas (2003), and Wittgenstein's Beetle and Other Classic Thought Experiments (Blackwell, 2005). He has been editor of The Philosopher since 1995.

"We need more stories in philosophy, and Martin Cohen aims to fill this lacuna with Philosophical Tales. [This book] is intended for a general audience interested in a satirical introduction to overlooked aspects of Western philosophy and the lives of the great philosophers. Philosophical Tales does tell a number of interesting stories, and any instructor of philosophy will find it handy to have these stories available to enliven a class. Instructors will also find it valuable to use these philosophical tales to raise a compelling question: is a philosophy only as good as the philosopher who proposes it?" (Teaching Philosophy,, December 2009)"Great philosophers only become well known after their deaths. Indeed, to speak of contemporary celebrity philosophers is oxymoronic. Still, one can't help wondering who amongst living philosophers will merit future Philosophical Tales. (The Philosopher, Autumn 2008)

• Forword! viiiHow to Use this Book xPhilosophical Illustrations xiiiThe TalesI The Ancient 1II More Ancients 27III Medieval Philosophy 51IV Modern Philosophy 73V Enlightened Philosophy 97VI The Idealists 139VII The Romantics 179VIII Recent Philosophy 205Scholarly Appendix: Women in Philosophy, and Why there Aren't Many 251Key Sources and Further Reading 259Acknowledgments 268Index 269