Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks painlessly introduce students to the classic works of philosophy. Each GuideBook considers a major philosopher and a key area of their philosophy by focusing upon an important text – situating the philosopher and the work in a historical context, considering the text in question and assessing the philosopher’s contribution to contemporary thought.
Edited by Tim Crane, University of Cambridge and Jonathan Wolff, University College London
By Andy Hamilton
November 28, 2008
Ludwig Wittgenstein is arguably the most important philosopher of the twentieth century. In On Certainty he discusses central issues in epistemology, including the nature of knowledge and scepticism. The Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Wittgenstein and On Certainty introduces and assesses: ...
By James Tartaglia
October 30, 2007
Richard Rorty is one of the most influential, controversial and widely-read philosophers of the twentieth century. In this GuideBook to Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature Tartaglia analyzes this challenging text and introduces and assesses: Rorty's life and the background to his philosophy ...
By Robert Wicks
April 10, 2007
Kant’s Critique of Judgment is one of the most important texts in the history of modern aesthetics. This GuideBook discusses the Third Critique section by section, and introduces and assesses: Kant's life and the background of the Critique of Judgment the ideas and text of the Critique of Judgment...
By Aaron Ridley
April 10, 2007
Nietzsche is one of the most important modern philosophers and his writings on the nature of art are amongst the most influential of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This GuideBook introduces and assesses: Nietzsche's life and the background to his writings on art the ideas and ...
By Barry Stocker
April 28, 2006
Jacques Derrida is one of the most influential and controversial philosophers of the last fifty years. Derrida on Deconstruction introduces and assesses: Derrida's life and the background to his philosophy the key themes of the critique of metaphysics, language and ethics that characterize ...
By James Baillie
July 25, 2000
David Hume is widely recognised as the greatest philosopher to have written in the English language. His Treatise on Human Nature is one of the most important works of moral philosophy ever written. Hume on Morality introduces and assesses* Hume's life and the background of the Treatise* The ideas ...
By Vasilis Politis
April 08, 2004
Aristotles' 'Metaphysics' is one of the most important texts in Ancient Philosophy. This GuideBook looks at the Metaphysics thematically and takes the student through the main arguments found in the text. The book introduces and assesses Aristotle's life and the background to the Metaphysics, the ...
By Thomas C. Brickhouse, Nicholas D. Smith
July 06, 2004
Socrates is one of the most influential philosophers in western civilisation, and Plato his most famous pupil. The Euthyphro, Apology of Socrates, Crito and the death scene from the Phaedo are Plato's account of Socrates' trial and execution, and together they provide the most important depiction ...
By A.D. Smith
May 16, 2003
Husserl is one of the most important philosophers of the twentieth century and his contribution to the phenomenology movement is widely recognised. The Cartesian Meditations is his most famous, and most widely studied work. The book introduces and assesses: Husserl's life and background to the ...
By Christopher Bertram
November 07, 2003
Rousseau's Social Contract is a benchmark in political philosophy and has influenced moral and political thought since its publication. Rousseau and the Social Contract introduces and assesses:*Rousseau's life and the background of the Social Contract*The ideas and arguments of the Social Contract*...
By Sebastian Gardner
May 05, 1999
Kant's Critique of Pure Reason is arguably the single most important work in western philosophy. The book introduces and assesses: * Kant's life and background of the Critique of Pure Reason* the ideas and text of the Critique of Pure Reason* the continuing relevance of Kant's work to contemporary ...
By Dudley Knowles
October 18, 2002
Hegel is one of the most important figures in the history of ideas and political thought. His Philosophy of Right is widely recognised as one of the greatest works of political philosophy.Hegel and the Philosophy of Right introduces and assesses:* Hegel's life and the background of the Philosophy ...