Blackwell Great Minds – serie

Socrates presents a compelling case for some life-changing conclusions that follow from a close reading of Socrates' arguments. Offers a highly original study of Socrates and his thought, accessible to contemporary readersArgues that through studying Socrates we can learn practical wisdom to apply to our livesLovingly crafted with humour, thought-experiments and literary references (from the Iliad to Harry Potter), and with close reading sof key Socratic argumentsAids readers with diagrams to make clear complex arguments

This lucid survey takes readers on a thought-provoking tour through the life and work of Immanuel Kant. Offers an excellent introduction to the broad range of Kant’s philosophical thought. Provides an exposition of Kant’s major philosophical works, including the Critique of Pure Reason. Topics covered include Kant’s theory of empirical cognition, his doctrine of transcendental idealism, and his theory of the limits of reason.

This lucid survey takes readers on a thought-provoking tour through the life and work of Immanuel Kant. Offers an excellent introduction to the broad range of Kant’s philosophical thought. Provides an exposition of Kant’s major philosophical works, including the Critique of Pure Reason. Topics covered include Kant’s theory of empirical cognition, his doctrine of transcendental idealism, and his theory of the limits of reason.

A bold and insightful departure from related texts, Descartes goes beyond the categorical associations placed on the philosopher's ideas, and explores the subtleties of his beliefs. An elegant, compelling and insightful introduction to Descartes' life and work.Discusses a broad range of his most scrutinized philosophical thought, including his contributions to logic, philosophy of the mind, epistemology, metaphysics, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of religion.Explores the subtleties of Descartes' seemingly contradictory beliefs.Addresses themes left unexamined in other works on Descartes.

A bold and insightful departure from related texts, Descartes goes beyond the categorical associations placed on the philosopher's ideas, and explores the subtleties of his beliefs. An elegant, compelling and insightful introduction to Descartes' life and work.Discusses a broad range of his most scrutinized philosophical thought, including his contributions to logic, philosophy of the mind, epistemology, metaphysics, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of religion.Explores the subtleties of Descartes' seemingly contradictory beliefs.Addresses themes left unexamined in other works on Descartes.

This lucid survey takes readers on a thought-provoking tour through the life and work of Augustine. Explores new insights into one of antiquity’s most important philosophers Topics Include: skepticism, language acquisition, mind-body dualism, philosophical dream problems, time and creation, faith and reason, foreknowledge and free will, and Augustine’s standing as a ‘Socratic philosopher’.

The definitive exploration of C.S. Lewis’s philosophical thought, and its connection with his theological and literary workArguably one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis is widely hailed as a literary giant, his seven-volume Chronicles of Narnia having sold over 65 million copies in print worldwide. A prolific author and scholar whose intellectual contributions transcend the realm of children’s fantasy literature, Lewis is commonly read and studied as a significant theological figure in his own right. What is often overlooked is that Lewis first loved and was academically trained in philosophy.In this newest addition to the Blackwell Great Minds series, well-known philosopher and Lewis authority Stewart Goetz discusses Lewis’s philosophical thought and illustrates how it informs his theological and literary work. Drawing from Lewis’s published writing and private correspondence, including unpublished materials, C.S. Lewis is the first book to develop a cohesive and holistic understanding of Lewis as a philosopher. In this groundbreaking project, Goetz explores how Lewis’s views on topics of lasting interest such as happiness, morality, the soul, human freedom, reason, and imagination shape his understanding of myth and his use of it in his own stories, establishing new connections between Lewis’s philosophical convictions and his wider body of published work.Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, this short, engaging book makes a significant contribution to Lewis scholarship while remaining suitable for readers who have only read his stories, offering new insight into the intellectual life of this figure of enduring popular interest.

The definitive exploration of C.S. Lewis’s philosophical thought, and its connection with his theological and literary workArguably one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis is widely hailed as a literary giant, his seven-volume Chronicles of Narnia having sold over 65 million copies in print worldwide. A prolific author and scholar whose intellectual contributions transcend the realm of children’s fantasy literature, Lewis is commonly read and studied as a significant theological figure in his own right. What is often overlooked is that Lewis first loved and was academically trained in philosophy.In this newest addition to the Blackwell Great Minds series, well-known philosopher and Lewis authority Stewart Goetz discusses Lewis’s philosophical thought and illustrates how it informs his theological and literary work. Drawing from Lewis’s published writing and private correspondence, including unpublished materials, C.S. Lewis is the first book to develop a cohesive and holistic understanding of Lewis as a philosopher. In this groundbreaking project, Goetz explores how Lewis’s views on topics of lasting interest such as happiness, morality, the soul, human freedom, reason, and imagination shape his understanding of myth and his use of it in his own stories, establishing new connections between Lewis’s philosophical convictions and his wider body of published work.Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, this short, engaging book makes a significant contribution to Lewis scholarship while remaining suitable for readers who have only read his stories, offering new insight into the intellectual life of this figure of enduring popular interest.

wittgenstein “Sluga draws a fascinating picture of Wittgenstein as a situated thinker: brilliant insights into the cultural background mesh with an often original and always profound understanding of Wittgenstein’s work, yielding an accessible and illuminating account of his thought.”Joachim Schulte, University of Zurich “Concise, clear, and accessible, this sophisticated introduction covers an unusually wide range of central topics, including Wittgenstein’s historical and intellectual context, his philosophical development, and the ethical and political implications of his work.”David Stern, University of Iowa For his radical questioning, original thinking, and determination to reshape the philosophical landscape, Ludwig Wittgenstein is widely hailed as a giant in twentieth-century philosophy. Wittgenstein presents a concise, comprehensive, and systematic treatment of the Austrian-born philosopher’s thought from his early work Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus to the posthumous publication of On Certainty, notes written just prior to his death. Renowned Wittgenstein scholar Hans Sluga first recounts events in Wittgenstein’s life in order to illuminate the historical, political, and personal conditions from which his philosophical work emerged. After identifying some of the philosopher’s key concepts and ideas in subsequent chapters, Sluga then reveals how the cultural and political changes that Wittgenstein and his contemporaries lived through mirror many of the dramatic events now happening in the twenty-first century. Sluga’s original analysis goes on to illustrate vividly how Wittgenstein’s thought may help us to face the peculiar problems of our own contemporary social and political existence. Illuminating and thought provoking, Wittgenstein offers ground-breaking new insights into the mind of one of the most original and influential thinkers of the twentieth century.

This innovative volume presents an insightful philosophical portrait of the life and work of Arthur Schopenhauer. Focuses on the concept of the sublime as it clarifies Schopenhauer's aesthetic theory, moral theory and asceticismExplores the substantial relationships between Schopenhauer's philosophy and Buddhism, Hinduism, and ChristianityDefends Schopenhauer's position that absolute truth can be known and described as a blindly striving, all-permeating, universal "Will";Examines the influence of Asian philosophy on SchopenhauerDescribes the relationships between Schopenhauer's thought and that of Hegel, Nietzsche, and Wittgenstein.

This innovative volume presents an insightful philosophical portrait of the life and work of Arthur Schopenhauer. Focuses on the concept of the sublime as it clarifies Schopenhauer's aesthetic theory, moral theory and asceticismExplores the substantial relationships between Schopenhauer's philosophy and Buddhism, Hinduism, and ChristianityDefends Schopenhauer's position that absolute truth can be known and described as a blindly striving, all-permeating, universal "Will";Examines the influence of Asian philosophy on SchopenhauerDescribes the relationships between Schopenhauer's thought and that of Hegel, Nietzsche, and Wittgenstein.

The first comprehensive introduction to cover the entire span of Kierkegaard’s authorship. Explores how the two strands of his writing—religious discourses and pseudonymous literary creations—influenced each otherAccompanies the reader chronologically through all the philosopher’s major works, and integrates his writing into his biographyEmploys a unique “how to” approach to help the reader discover individual texts on their own and to help them closely examine Kierkegaard’s languagePresents the literary strategies employed in Kierkegaard’s work to give the reader insight into subtext

The first comprehensive introduction to cover the entire span of Kierkegaard’s authorship. Explores how the two strands of his writing—religious discourses and pseudonymous literary creations—influenced each otherAccompanies the reader chronologically through all the philosopher’s major works, and integrates his writing into his biographyEmploys a unique “how to” approach to help the reader discover individual texts on their own and to help them closely examine Kierkegaard’s languagePresents the literary strategies employed in Kierkegaard’s work to give the reader insight into subtext

This pioneering guide to Maimonides incorporates material from his philosophical, legal, and medical works, thus providing a synoptic picture of the philosophical views of one of the most important Jewish thinkers of all time. The book covers a broad range of topics, including divine predication, proofs for the existence of God, Maimonides’ theory of creation, prophecy and miracles, the problem of evil and divine providence, moral theory and the rationality of the law. Rudavsky makes a persuasive case that Maimonides saw himself as being engaged in philosophical dialogue, drawing not only upon his own Jewish tradition, but also upon the ideas of ancient Greek and Islamic philosophers. Unparalleled in scope and accessibility, this concise volume is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of Medieval Philosophy, Jewish Philosophy, and Jewish Studies, as well as non-specialists coming to Maimonides for the first time.

The definitive work on the philosophical nature and impact of the theories of Charles Darwin, written by a well-known authority on the history and philosophy of Darwinism. Broadly explores the theories of Charles Darwin and Darwin studiesIncorporates much information about modern BiologyOffers a comprehensive discussion of Darwinism and Christianity – including Creationism – by one of the leading authorities in the fieldWritten in clear, concise, user-friendly language supplemented with quality illustrationsExamines the status of evolutionary theory as a genuine theory and its implications for philosophy, epistemology and ethicsProvides a strong understanding of the philosophical nature and impact of Darwin's thoughtHolds wide appeal for general audiences outside the world of academic philosophyStrongly supports Darwinism and fully explores modern naturalistic explanations of religion

Presents a concise and comprehensive analysis of George Berkeley’s thought and the impact of his intellectual contributions to philosophyIn this latest addition to the Blackwell Great Minds series, noted scholar of early modern philosophy Margaret Atherton examines Berkeley’s most influential work and demonstrates the significant conceptual impact of his ideas in metaphysics and the philosophy of religion. A concise and rigorous primer on Berkeley’s essential writings and contributions to modern philosophyWritten by a leading scholar of early modern philosophyOffers insight into the foundations of modern metaphysical and religious philosophyEquips readers to find firm footing in Berkeley’s wider body of published work in the canon of Western philosophy

John Stuart Mill investigates the central elements of the 19th century philosopher’s most profound and influential works, from On Liberty to Utilitarianism and The Subjection of Women. Through close analysis of his primary works, it reveals the very heart of the thinker’s ideas, and examines them in the context of utilitarianism, liberalism and the British empiricism prevalent in Mill’s day. Presents an analysis of the full range of Mill’s primary writings, getting to the core of the philosopher’s ideas.Examines the central elements of Mill’s writings in easily accessible prosePlaces Mill’s work and thought within the larger cultural and social context of 19th century BritainIllustrates the continued relevance of Mill’s philosophy to today’s reader

Reflecting the profound influence he continues to exert on popular consciousness, Camus examines the complete body of works of French author and philosopher Albert Camus, providing a comprehensive analysis of Camus’ most important works—most notably The Myth of Sisyphus, The Stranger, The Fall, The Plague, and The Rebel—within the framework of his basic ethical orientation. Makes Camus’ concerns clear in terms that will resonate with contemporary readersReveals the unity and integrity of Camus’ writings and political activitiesDiscusses Camus’ ongoing relevance by showing how he prefigures many postmodern positions in philosophy, literature, and politics

An in-depth exploration, through his plays and poems, of the philosophy of Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind". Written by a leading Shakespearean scholarDiscusses an array of topics, including sex and gender, politics and political theory, writing and acting, religious controversy and issues of faith, skepticism and misanthropy, and closureExplores Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind"

An in-depth exploration, through his plays and poems, of the philosophy of Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind". Written by a leading Shakespearean scholarDiscusses an array of topics, including sex and gender, politics and political theory, writing and acting, religious controversy and issues of faith, skepticism and misanthropy, and closureExplores Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind"

Newton is an evocative intellectual history of the life and ideas of Isaac Newton the natural philosopher, covering his influential thoughts about philosophical problems, our knowledge of nature, and even the nature of the divine. Offers a comprehensive and highly accessible introduction to the life and ideas of Isaac Newton, emphasizing his influential contributions to the field of philosophyCovers the principal philosophical topics that captivated Newton’s mind, from our knowledge of nature to the nature of the divineIncludes the most recent and innovative research regarding Newton’s views on theology and philosophyEmphasizes the philosophical importance of Newton’s work to the history of philosophy and his engagement with the ideas of both historic and contemporary figures such as Galileo and Descartes, Leibniz and Locke

In a focused assessment of one of the founding members of the liberal tradition in philosophy and a self-proclaimed “Under-Labourer” working to support the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century, the author maps the full range of John Locke’s highly influential ideas, which even today remain at the heart of debates about the nature of reality and our knowledge of it, as well as our moral and political rights and duties. Comprehensive introduction to the full range of Locke’s ideas, providing an up-to-date account that acknowledges issues raised by recent scholarship over the past decadeA well-rounded perspective on one of the intellectual giants of the western philosophical traditionProvides detailed coverage of Locke’s two key works, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding and The Two Treatises of Government.A sophisticated analysis by a highly respected academicA vital addition to the Blackwell Great Minds series

In a focused assessment of one of the founding members of the liberal tradition in philosophy and a self-proclaimed “Under-Labourer” working to support the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century, the author maps the full range of John Locke’s highly influential ideas, which even today remain at the heart of debates about the nature of reality and our knowledge of it, as well as our moral and political rights and duties. Comprehensive introduction to the full range of Locke’s ideas, providing an up-to-date account that acknowledges issues raised by recent scholarship over the past decadeA well-rounded perspective on one of the intellectual giants of the western philosophical traditionProvides detailed coverage of Locke’s two key works, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding and The Two Treatises of Government.A sophisticated analysis by a highly respected academicA vital addition to the Blackwell Great Minds series

A novel introduction to Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist phenomenology. Draws parallels between Sartre's work and the work of WittgensteinStresses continuities rather than conflict between Sartre and Merleau-Ponty, and between Sartre and post-structuralist/post-modernist thinkers, thus corroborating 'new Sartre' readingsExhibits the influence of Gestalt psychology in Sartre's descriptions of the life-worldForms part of the Blackwell Great Minds series, which outlines the views of the great western thinkers and captures the relevance of these figures to the way we think and live today

NOTE: We already have one project under contract with Schacht, ANietzsche Dictionary, which is long overdue and may never arrive. Iwant to sign this book up, first because Schacht actually seemsenthusiastic about it (unlike his reaction when I mention theDictionary project), and second because he's one of the very bestnames in Nietzsche scholarship, with a proven record of being ableto do books of this nature. Schacht cannot start work on thisproject immediately, which is why I'm also delighted to present theproposal for Ansell-Pearson's Nietzsche project.The blurb will be developed in conjunction with Schacht's planfor the book. Suffice it to say that Nietzsche is one of the mostpopular philosophers in the public eye, with interest cuttingacross disciplines, methologies, and generations of scholars, withRichard Schacht being one of the foremost Nietzsche scholarswriting today (but well known for his ability to explainNietzsche's dense and aphoristic writing in a clear andwell-balanced manner).The book will follow the series brief, focusing on a clear andcompelling exposition of a figure's thinking, historical context,and their relevance to human experience today.

This pioneering guide to Maimonides incorporates material from his philosophical, legal, and medical works, thus providing a synoptic picture of the philosophical views of one of the most important Jewish thinkers of all time. The book covers a broad range of topics, including divine predication, proofs for the existence of God, Maimonides’ theory of creation, prophecy and miracles, the problem of evil and divine providence, moral theory and the rationality of the law. Rudavsky makes a persuasive case that Maimonides saw himself as being engaged in philosophical dialogue, drawing not only upon his own Jewish tradition, but also upon the ideas of ancient Greek and Islamic philosophers. Unparalleled in scope and accessibility, this concise volume is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of Medieval Philosophy, Jewish Philosophy, and Jewish Studies, as well as non-specialists coming to Maimonides for the first time.