Analysis and Metaphysics: An Introduction to Philosophy [Paperback]

P. F. Strawson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 4, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0198751184 | ISBN-13: 978-0198751182

All developed human beings possess a practical mastery of a vast range of concepts, including such basic structural notions as those of identity, truth, existence, material objects, mental states, space, and time; but a practical mastery does not entail theoretical understanding. It is that understanding which philosophy seeks to achieve. In this book, one of the most distinguished of living philosophers, assuming no previous knowledge of the subject on the part of the reader, sets out to explain and illustrate a certain conception of the nature of analytical philosophy. Strawson draws on his many years of teaching at Oxford University, during which he refined and developed what he regards as the most productive route to understanding the fundamental structure of human thinking. Among the distinctive features of his exposition are the displacement of an older, reductive conception of philosophical method (the ideal of "analyzing" complex ideas into simpler elements) in favor of elucidating the interconnections between the complex but irreducible notions which form the basic structure of our thinking; and the demonstration that the three traditionally distinguished departments of metaphysics (ontology), epistemology, and logic are but three aspects of one unified enquiry. Strawson has produced an elegant work that will be invaluable to students and stimulating for professional philosophers and general readers alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the clearest and most accessible discussions of the main tenets of 'analytic' philosophy."--Chris Slupik, University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh

"Excellent introduction to contemporary Anglo-American philosophy."--Manuel Davenport, Texas A & M

"Thorough, concise, easy to read. An excellent thought-provoking primer for an advanced undergraduate course on current problems in metaphysics."--S.N. Fratantaro, Providence College

"I used this book because I wanted students to have something solid and meaty to work on in the way of philosophical argumentation. After they had mastered the nuts and bolts of reasoning, I found the encounter with a mature thinker very satisfying."--Mary M. Mulhern, Drexel University

"The book provides a valuable account of contemporary analytic philosophy and consequently would be useful to upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members who are unfamiliar with the analytic tradition in philosophy."--Choice

About the Author

P. F. Strawson is at St Johns, University, and Magdalen Colleges, Oxford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 4, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198751184
• ISBN-13: 978-0198751182
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #877,678 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, but Not Introductory, July 14, 2006

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TiZ - See all my reviews

This review is from: Analysis and Metaphysics: An Introduction to Philosophy (Paperback)

Sir Peter Strawson was one of the finest analytic philosophers of the twentieth century, and his "Analysis and Metaphyics: An Intoduction to Philosophy" is something of a summation of his extraordinary contribution during his illustrious career.

In his preface, Strawson states that this book is a general overview of philosophy as he understands it. He covers metaphysics, epistemology and philosophy of language, and draws insightful connections between these subjects.

While he admits that this book is not elementary, he also insists that it does not presuppose any previous acquaintance with philosophy. However, I think that only the smartest upper-level undergraduates in philosophy will begin to understand it.

In my opinion, this book is too idiosyncratic and too difficult as an introduction to philosophy. The price (over $43, at the time of writing this review) is also very high for such a slim book.

Therefore, I do not recommend this book as an introduction to philosophy for those who have had no exposure to the subject. However, I think that some students who are interested in an overview of philosophy from an important perspective will gain very much from it.