A Dictionary of Philosophical Quotations - (Blackwell Reference) by A J Ayer & Jane O'Grady (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The dictionary shows philosophers at their best (and their worst), at their most perverse and their most elegant. Organised by philosopher, and indexed by thought, concept and phrase, it enables readers to discover who said what, and what was said by whom. Over 300 philosophers are represented, from Aristotle to Zeno, including Einstein, Aquinas, Sartre and De Beauvoir, and the quotations range from short cryptic phrases to longer statements.
This Dictionary of Philosophical Quotations will not change your life. It will change your mind.

From the Back Cover

This dictionary is the first to anatomize the philosophical tradition and to show the thoughts, paradoxes, errors and breakthroughs that underlie human speculation. Organized alphabetically by philosopher, and comprehensively indexed by thought and concept, it enables readers to discover who said what, and what was said by whom. More than three hundred philosophers are represented, from Aristotle to Zeno, among them Aquinas, De Beauvoir, Einstein and Sartre, and the quotations range from short, cryptic phrases to lengthy statements.

Review Quotes

"Everybody should have a copy." Auberon Waugh, The Sunday Telegraph

"The spread of philosophers is huge - more than 330 jostle in the book ... I cannot think of any figure who is missing from this roll-call ... this is not really a book of quotations as we know it but something far more mighty." Literary Review

"The most surprising philosophers do come across. One gets a fair impression of Derrida, and the quotations from Adorno present a whole philosophy in brief digestible form." Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

A. J. Ayer was also Wykeham Professor of Logic at Oxford University. His many distinguished books include Language, Truth and Logic, The Problems of Knowledge, The Concept of a Person and Other Essays, and works on Bertrand Russell and Thomas Paine.

Jane O'Grady studied Philosophy at University College, London. After teaching for some years she worked as a literary journalist, columnist and short-story writer. She has published a book of short stories and articles entitled Obsessions.