Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback]

Alan Lacey (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415133327 | ISBN-13: 978-0415133326 | Publication Date: September 11, 1996 | Edition: 3

Providing an illuminating and informed introduction to central philosophical issues, concepts and perspectives in the core fields of metaphysics, epistemology and philosophical logic, the Dictionary takes the most common terms and notions and clarifies what they mean to the philosopher and what sort of problems the philosopher finds associated with them.
Thoroughly revised and updated, the bibliographies supply core reading lists, and each entry uses extensive cross referencing to related themes and concepts to provide a greater sense of access, control and comprehension.
The Dictionary will also provide those working in proximate fields with an understanding of areas of overlapping interest, concepts of common applicability and the full range and diversity of philosophical analysis and insight.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Dr. Lacey's very useful book manages to present the most awesomely complex concepts of philosophy with wonderful lucidity.' - Times Education Supplement

'The text is clear, has helpful cross-references, and lists the names for major works that are relevant to the entries. The book, in short, is a good one.' - Library Journal

'It was admirable in its first edition in 1976; improved when the second edition appeared in 1986; and has now come out in an even bigger and better third edition. It truly cannot be faulted as a handy reference for teachers and students alike.' - Heythrop Journal

About the Author

A.R. Lacey is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at King's College, University of London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 3 edition (September 11, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415133327
• ISBN-13: 978-0415133326
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,835,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fulfils its purpose admirably., April 26, 2000

By 

Richard L. King - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dictionary of Philosophy (Paperback)

In his preface, Lacey indicates that in writing this dictionary he wanted to "give the layman or intending student a pocket encyclopedia of philosophy, one with a bias towards explaining terminology." He fulfills his purpose admirably; the student can include this dictionary in a back pack or book bag so that it is available at all times. The more exhaustive dictionaries, such as the Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy or the Oxford Companion to the mind are simply too big to carry around, and thus are less likely to be at hand when the student needs them. The entries in Lacey's dictionary are clear, concise, and sufficiently cross-referenced. Particularly useful are the substantial bibliographies that follow many of the entries. I rate this book as four stars, rather than five, because some of the entries could actually be longer. I believe that this dictionary could expand on some of the entries without adding significantly to the length of the book. For example, the entry on Wittgenstein's private language argument is simply to short to be very useful. Otherwise, when viewed in light of its purpose, the dictionary is a job well done.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Get a real dictionary of philosophy, January 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dictionary of Philosophy (Paperback)

If you want a single dictionary of philosophy I'd recommend getting a more authoritative text such as Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy. Flipping through it some of the entries appear to be substantial (several pages), but none of the 6 items I've looked up so far have been in the Dictionary (including Postmodernism, Logical Positivism, and Correspondence Theory of Truth).