The Columbia History of Western Philosophy [Paperback]

Richard H. Popkin (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0231101295 | ISBN-13: 978-0231101295 | Publication Date: January 1, 1999

Richard Popkin has assembled 63 leading scholars to forge a highly approachable chronological account of the development of Western philosophical traditions. From Plato to Wittgenstein and from Aquinas to Heidegger, this volume provides lively, in-depth, and up-to-date historical analysis of all the key figures, schools, and movements of Western philosophy.

The Columbia History significantly broadens the scope of Western philosophy to reveal the influence of Middle Eastern and Asian thought, the vital contributions of Jewish and Islamic philosophers, and the role of women within the tradition. Along with a wealth of new scholarship, recently discovered works in 17th- and 18th-century philosophy are considered, such as previously unpublished works by Locke that inspire a new assessment of the evolution of his ideas. Popkin also emphasizes schools and developments that have traditionally been overlooked. Sections on Aristotle and Plato are followed by a detailed presentation on Hellenic philosophy and its influence on the modern developments of materialism and scepticism. A chapter has been dedicated to Jewish and Moslem philosophical development during the Middle Ages, focusing on the critical role of figures such as Averroës and Moses Maimonides in introducing Christian thinkers to classical philosophy. Another chapter considers Renaissance philosophy and its seminal influence on the development of modern humanism and science.

Turning to the modern era, contributors consider the importance of the Kaballah to Spinoza, Leibniz, and Newton and the influence of popular philosophers like Moses Mendelssohn upon the work of Kant. This volume gives equal attention to both sides of the current rift in philosophy between continental and analytic schools, charting the development of each right up to the end of the 20th century.

Each chapter includes an introductory essay, and Popkin provides notes that draw connections among the separate articles. The rich bibliographic information and the indexes of names and terms make the volume a valuable resource.

Combining a broad scope and penetrating analysis with a keen sense of what is relevant for the modern reader, The Columbia History of Western Philosophy will prove an accessible introduction for students and an informative overview for general readers.

(11/30/2006)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This work ranges over the whole history of Western philosophy, from the pre-Socratics to 20th-century philosophy, both analytic and continental. In doing so, moreover, it does not restrict itself merely to major philosophers but includes more than the usual few sentences ordinarily accorded minor figures. The accounts, on the whole, are accurate and clearly written, though some of those about 20th-century continental philosophy are trapped within the muddled discourse of their subject matter. Although only the sections on medieval Christian philosophy and 20th-century analytic philosophy have single authors (S.F. Brown and A. Stroll, respectively), differences in writing do not distract. The section on skepticism, as might be expected from Popkin's authority on the subject, is especially good, as are Stroll's succinct explanations of technical matters. Highly recommended for academic and large libraries.?Robert Hoffman, York College of CUNY, Stony Brook, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Undoubtedly slated to be a standard on any literate shelf for generations to come... It is eminently readable and enjoyable.

(15 Minutes Magazine )

The volume is a fitting testimonial to Popkin's life's work.

(Douglas Moggach The European Legacy )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 864 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231101295
• ISBN-13: 978-0231101295
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #203,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most up-to-date and inclusive history of philosophy., December 13, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Buffalo) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Columbia History of Western Philosophy (Hardcover)

In the line of one-volume histories of philosophy, Popkin's History will immediately take its place as a classic.He includes not only the latest scholarship on the familiar figures and debates, but we also broadens the scope of what ought to be considered and studied in the canon of Western philosophy. This is a summa for the end of the 20th-century. The chapter on analytic philosophy is the most lucid treatment of that difficult topic I have ever read.Popkin has given us a gift in this volume. If you need a basic introduction to the field or if you need a large angle sub specie aeternatis view of philsophy, this is the book to buy.

27 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Very mediocre introduction to philosophical thought, October 19, 2000

By 

Lex van Heel (Rotterdam, South-Holland Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Columbia History of Western Philosophy (Hardcover)

When I was browsing on Amazon, I was surprised to see that this book (In Europe it is called 'The Pimlico History of Western Philosophy, edited by Richard H. Popkin and effectively written by -indeed- a 'small army of connaisseurs') had an average rating of 4.5 stars. To me the largest part of the book is utterly unreadable. Many sections seem like an endless row of quotations connected by lines of interpretative thought from each expert. No doubt that these people are experts in their field, but their capacity to transmit the basic ideas as intended by the philosophers discussed (or at least the interpretations of those ideas), is very poor. Nor do the discussions stimulate philosophical thought in the reader himself. Probably this might not be the purpose of this book, but in my personal opinion every history of philosophy should encourage the interested layman to contemplate on the big questions concerning metaphysics, ontology, epistemology and ethics. Or as Storig formulates it very well in his excellent 'Kleine Weltgeschichte der Philospie':

What can we do? What should we do? What may we believe?

If you are looking for the answers to these questions, do not read this book. The remark Popkin makes in the introduction of this book concerning 'History of Western Philosophy' by Bertrand Russell is really cheap: "Russell wrote his book hastily out of financial desperation while jobless in N.Y.C. at the beginning of WW II. Since Russell was a scholar of very few topics he covered, and uninterested or hostile to others, his opus is most engaging as Russelliana but hardly as history of philosophy". And further: "This work (Popkin's) is not intended to compete with this classic (Russell's)". Well, I read both and the conclusion is easily made. Pimlico doesn't come even close to Russell's. Indeed Bertrand Russell treats the history of philosophy in a very personal style and frankly ventilates his opinion on the great minds of western philosophy. But he does this in such a way, that it is still possible to get a clear picture of the original ideas unbiased by Russell's opinions. Also Russell's book does stimulate the educated reader to think and judge for himself. And, frankly, - but this is my personal opinion - although I do not agree with Russell's judgement in a number of cases, his statement that the philosophic ideas of some great men like Berkeley - who denied the existence of matter; material objects exist only through being perceived - are to be classified as insanity, despite the sometimes ingenuous arguments Berkeley made to support this view.

I would like to spare one section from Pimlico's from my harsh criticism. That is the one written by Avrum Stroll on 'Twentieth Century Analytic Philosphy'. The eleven chapters he wrote give a very accessible introduction to this difficult subject, although I feel he could have spent more words on the Tractatus in the Wittgenstein chapter. Stroll's contribution prevents the rating from dropping to one star.

10 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Destined to be the subject's definitive treatment., July 29, 1999

By 

S. V. Pollack ([e-mail]) (Saint Louis, Missouri U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Columbia History of Western Philosophy (Hardcover)

This book could have been just another collection of essays on Western philosophy. Instead, Popkin's masterful organization, editing and commentary produced a lucid, well-integrated work. Ideas are presented and developed in the context of their times and mirrored against similar and contrasting ones. The result, in my view, is as seamless as a treatment of this vast subject could possibly be. Any future attempt to tackle this area will have to contend with this superb benchmark.