Customer Reviews

A Dictionary of Continental Philosophy

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From the Preface to the book it is noted that "Continental philosophy" has been difficult to define, Nietzsche said, "only that which is without history can be defined." However, the goal of this dictionary is to broaden familiarity and describe the diversity of continental thought. Examples of its diversity include entries on analytic philosophy, Donald Davidson, Richard Rorty, William James, and C.S. Peirce.
The book is dedicated more so to the actual philosophers from the European Continent. Moreover, important definitions and concepts like dromology, framing, and phallogocentrism go unrecorded by larger references like "The Oxford Companion to Philosophy New Edition" and The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy. I have all three of these references (by far the The Oxford Companion to Philosophy New Edition is best) yet I am glad I purchased "A Dictionary of Continental Philosophy" because in studying the creative and esoteric writings of Continental thinkers, these terms and concepts become essential to understand. So if you're looking for a quick reference source for words like "heterotopia" (a medical term Foucault used) or "interpellation" (introduced by Althusser) then this reference will be a meaningful addition even if you already own another good reference (like the Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy) or even a great reference (like Oxford's Companion to Philosophy). One of the greatest benefits from this dictionary is the desire the editor and contributors have to giving "Accuracy without jargon or paraphrase and simplicity without superficiality" (from the Preface).

Probably the two main drawbacks are Yale UP's high price, and the lack of a substantive index and chronology.The Oxford Companion to Philosophy is so incredibly well cross-referenced in the index that it could have served as a reasonable model.

This is a shorter version of the Edinburgh version and for the subjects I know enough about provides spot on and concise coverage. You will not be able to use this without some prior knowledge. Highly recommended.

This dictionary has been a great edition to my library, As a student of philosophy it has come in handy while studying and writing papers.