This series addresses the central problems of philosophy. Each book gives a fresh account of a particular theme by offering two perspectives on the subject: the historical context and the author's own distinct and original contribution.
The books are written to be accessible to students of philosophy and related disciplines, while taking the debate to a new level.
Other recent titles in the Proplems of Philosophy series:
Social Reality
Hb: 0-415-14796-4: £40.00
Pb: 0-415-14797-2: £12.99
Substance
Hb: 0-415-11250-8: £42.50
Pb: 0-415-14032-3: £14.99
Utilitarianism
Hb: 0-415-09527-1: £40.00
Pb: 0-415-12197-3: £12.99
Vagueness
Pb: 0-415-13980-5: £15.99
By R.J. Nelson
November 10, 2014
The question of how language relates to the world is one of the most important problems of philosophy. What the word `God' refers to and the question `Does God exist?' are clearly linked. The existence or non-existence of God (or electrons or unicorns) is directly related to the issue of what and ...
By Bruce Aune
May 16, 2014
Many philosophers believe that the traditional problem of our knowledge of the external world was dissolved by Wittgestein and others. They argue that it was not really a problem - just a linguistic `confusion' that did not actually require a solution. Bruce Aune argues that they are wrong. He ...
By George G. Brenkert
April 22, 2014
This book examines the underlying theoretical issues concerning the nature of political freedom. Arguing that most previous discussions of such freedom have been too narrowly focused, it explores both conservativism from Edmund Burke to its present resurgence, the radical tradition of Karl Marx, as...
By Christopher Hookway
April 22, 2014
Scepticism is a subject which has preoccupied philosophers for two thousand years. This book presents an historical perspective on scepticism by considering contrasting views, such as those of Sextus Empiricus, Descartes and Hume, on why scepticism is important. With its historical perspective and ...
By Justin Gosling
April 10, 2014
First Published in 2004. Since before Plato, philosophers have puzzled over why it is that people will sometimes deliberately take the worst course of action. The book begins by examining the various theories put forward by Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics and a selection of medieval philosophers and ...
By Frederick F. Schmitt
December 12, 2013
Knowledge, from Plato onwards, has been considered in relation to justified belief. Current debate has centred around the nature of the justification and whether justified belief can be considered an internal or extenal matter. Epistemological internalists argue that the subject must be able to ...
By A. L. Cothey
December 12, 2013
Although various aesthetic themes have preoccupied many major philosophers, from Plato to Goodman, the central questions of the philosophy of art have remained ill-defined. This book gives a concise and systematic account of the leading philosophical ideas about art and aesthetics from ancient ...
By Finn Collin
May 23, 1997
Social reality is currently a hotly debated topic not only in social science, but also in philosophy and the other humanities. Finn Collin, in this concise guide, asks if social reality is created by the way social agents conceive of it? Is there a difference between the kind of existence ...
By Alan Haworth
October 01, 1998
Free Speech is a philosophical treatment of a topic which is of immense importance to all of us.Writing with great clarity, wit, and genuine concern, Alan Haworth situates the main arguments for free speech by tracing their relationship to contemporary debates in politics and political philosophy, ...
By John Divers
October 18, 2002
Possible Worlds presents the first up-to-date and comprehensive examination of one of the most important topics in metaphysics. John Divers considers the prevalent philosophical positions, including realism, antirealism and the work of important writers on possible worlds such as David Lewis, ...
By Gerard Hughes
March 27, 1995
In The Nature of God, Gerard Hughes takes the central attributes ascribed to God, such as Existence, Simplicity, Omniscience, Omnipotence and Goodness and gives them a historical and analytical background. Incorporating texts by Aquinas, Ockham, Molina, Descartes, Hume and Kant, he aims to give the...
By David-Hillel Ruben
December 03, 1992
This book introduces readers to the topic of explanation. The insights of Plato, Aristotle, J.S. Mill and Carl Hempel are examined, and are used to argue against the view that explanation is merely a problem for the philosophy of science. Having established its importance for understanding ...