Western Philosophy - (Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies) 3rd Edition by John G Cottingham (Paperback)

About the Book

"An anthology can serve many different purposes. Anthologies of poetry usually leave readers to make their own way, sampling the flowers arranged for their delight. With philosophy things are rather different. Many of the arguments of the great philosophers rest on a daunting array of presuppositions and concealed premises, and careful guidance is needed if many readers are not to be overwhelmed. The texts included in this volume, and the linking passages of introduction and commentary, offer a guided tour through the main branches of the subject, introducing the ideas in sequence, and uncovering the main outlines of that complex interplay of arguments which forms the Western philosophical tradition. The central aim, as with all anthologies, is to put the reader in touch with the texts themselves. Those embarking on the subject can sometimes find it hard even to grasp just what philosophy is, and there is no better way of discovering than to read the writings of the great philosophers at first hand. This volume is designed to present some of the most important extracts from those writings in a way that will enable the individual to achieve a clear overview of how the subject developed, and how the most important theories fit into the overall picture. It is, I hope, a book which individuals will be able to keep by them, for pleasure and profit, as they set out on the quest for philosophical understanding"--

Book Synopsis

The new edition of this celebrated anthology surveys the Western philosophical tradition from its origins in ancient Greece to the work of today's leading philosophers

Western Philosophy: An Anthology provides an authoritative guided tour through the great tradition of Western philosophical thought. The seminal writings of the great philosophers along with more recent readings of contemporary interest are explored in 144 substantial and carefully chosen extracts, each preceded by a lucid introduction, guiding readers through the history of a diverse range of key arguments, and explaining how important theories fit into the unfolding story of Western philosophical inquiry. Broad in scope, the anthology covers all the main branches of philosophy: theory of knowledge and metaphysics, logic and language, philosophy of mind, the self and freedom, religion and science, moral philosophy, political theory, aesthetics, and the meaning of life, all in self-contained parts which can be worked on by students and instructors independently.

The third edition of the Anthology contains newly incorporated classic texts from thinkers such as Aquinas, Machiavelli, Descartes, William James, and Wittgenstein. Each of the 144 individual extracts is now followed by sample questions focusing on the key philosophical problems raised by the excerpt, and accompanied by detailed further reading suggestions that include up-to-date links to online resources. Also new to this edition is an introductory essay written by John Cottingham, which offers advice to students on how to read and write about a philosophical text.

Part of the Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies series, Western Philosophy: An Anthology, Third Edition remains an indispensable collection of classic source materials and expert insights for both beginning and advanced university students in a wide range of philosophy courses.

From the Back Cover

"In this one volume is found an extraordinary distillation of the whole history of Western thought. It's hard to conceive of a better resource for anyone who is either approaching this material anew or seeking to fill old gaps in their knowledge."
--Robert Pasnau, University of Colorado Boulder

"This anthology is distinguished from its competitors by its emphasis on the history of Western philosophy, with strong representation from Ancient, Medieval and Modern periods alongside contemporary work. The book's scope is remarkable--144 entries and 12 general topic areas. This breadth is made possible by each selection being short and to the point, so that not a page is wasted."
--James Baillie, University of Portland

Widely considered to be one of the most comprehensive and authoritative surveys of the Western philosophical tradition, John Cottingham's Western Philosophy: An Anthology has earned a distinguished reputation as a first-rate resource for the teaching and study of philosophy. This large collection of over 140 carefully curated readings is arranged into thematic sections which cover all the main branches of philosophy--logic and language, philosophy of mind, theory of knowledge and metaphysics, religion and science, moral philosophy, practical ethics, aesthetics, the self and freedom, political theory, and the meaning of life--and can be studied independently or in sequence.

New to the third edition are substantial extracts from seminal texts by thinkers such as Aquinas, Machiavelli, Descartes, William James, and Wittgenstein which round out the story of how Western philosophy was shaped. Focus questions and suggestions for further reading now follow each primary reading rather than each section to deepen pedagogical engagement with individual excerpts and supplement Cottingham's robust and lucid editorial commentary. Available digitally for the first time, this edition also features updated links to online resources and an original essay by Cottingham exclusive to this edition outlining best practices for reading philosophical source material.

Building upon its considerable reputation after more than two decades in print, Western Philosophy: An Anthology, Third Edition remains an indispensable collection of classic and contemporary scholarship in philosophy for both beginning and advanced university students who wish to familiarize themselves with the legacy and trajectory of the discipline.

About the Author

JOHN COTTINGHAM is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Reading, and an Honorary Fellow of St John's College, Oxford University. He is the author of numerous books including Descartes, The Rationalists, On the Meaning of Life, and In Search of the Soul. He is co-translator of The Philosophical Writings of Descartes, and has published numerous articles on the history of philosophy, moral philosophy, and the philosophy of religion. Professor Cottingham is former Chairman of the British Society for the History of Philosophy and President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion, and was for many years editor of Ratio, the international journal of analytic philosophy.