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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Thinkers...Great Minds...Great Book, April 29, 2004
This review is from: Great Thinkers of the Western World: The Major Ideas and Classic Works of More Than 100 Outstanding Western Philosophers, Physical and Social Scientists, Psychologists, Religious Writers and Theologians (Hardcover)
+++++
This book, edited by philosophy professor Dr. Ian McGreal, has articles on almost 120 outstanding thinkers in Western history. These thinkers, arranged chronologically from past to present, include those who were involved in one of the following six fields: (1) philosophy (2) physical science (3) social science (4) psychology (5) religious writing (6) theology. This book begins with a great thinker who lived circa (515 BC to 450 BC) and ends with one who lived from (1913 to 1960).
This book can be thought of as a guide or, for some, an introduction to the works and ideas of some of the most creative and influential thinkers of the Western world. It "cannot make everyone an expert in any of the fields the book covers, but it can...provide a foothold on...the illuminating theories and perspectives that have shaped the modern mind and left their traces in the history of human accomplishments."
How were these great thinkers chosen? The editor explains: "We have tried to include the most original, creative, and influential thinkers...but we have also recognized the importance of representing the diversity of significant Western thought, even though the result may be that some thinkers that deserve to be regarded as great have been left out, while others that might not be universally regarded as 'great' have been included."
At the beginning of the book, there is a list of more than thirty distinguished professors and academics who contributed articles.
At the end of the book, there is a "Thinker Index" that lists the names of these great thinkers in alphabetical order.
The articles for each thinker all have the same standard format consisting of seven parts:
(1) The person's name.
(2) Birth date.
(3) Death date.
(4) A list of the person's major works.
(5) A summary of the person's major ideas.
(6) An essay of four to five pages explaining the thinker's most significant theories and indicating his/her place in the history of thought. These essays are scholarly, lively, perceptive, and a fast read.
(7) A brief biography of further reading if more detailed information is required.
Even though this book is over five hundred pages, it's possible to get through it in three to four sittings. What I did was read the summary of major ideas for each thinker. I noted the names of each thinker whose ideas intrigued me. Then I read the corresponding essay of each of these noted thinkers.
This book is also a good reference when you need information fast.
The only problem I had with this book is that there is no indication either in the Table of Contents or in the Thinker Index of what each thinker's field is. For example, a name indicated is "Isaac Newton". Most people know he was a physical scientist. But how about a name like "Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo?" What field was he in? All we know was that he was in one of the six fields indicated above.
Thus, each name listed should have beside it the thinker's field of influence. Therefore, you might have "Isaac Newton (physical scientist)" or "Miguel de Unamuno y Jugo (philosopher)".
Finally, there is a sister book to this one entitled "Great Thinkers of the Eastern World" (1995) also edited by McGreal.
In conclusion, this is an informative book that gives readers pertinent information about influential people of the Western world. If you want to know the story behind these great thinkers, then this is your definitive guide!!
+++++
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a 400 lb. bench press for the mind...., September 26, 2001
This review is from: Great Thinkers of the Western World: The Major Ideas and Classic Works of More Than 100 Outstanding Western Philosophers, Physical and Social Scientists, Psychologists, Religious Writers and Theologians (Hardcover)
A wide ranging romp through the minds of the philosophers, theologians, physicists, and mathematicians that make up much of Western Thought. The lives, motivations, major works and ideas of Plato, Martin Luther, Voltaire, Adam Smith, Thomas Paine, Charles Darwin, and over one-hundred more big-brained sorts are covered by 35 equally brainy scholars, in short chapters, averaging about 5 pages apiece; most of the writing here is quite readable, but some were, at least for me, like wading through sludge. Suggested reading is provided for those who wish to furter their studies of the intellectually-abundant.
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15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
great thinkers but the book seems to have a religious agenda, April 4, 2005
This review is from: Great Thinkers of the Western World: The Major Ideas and Classic Works of More Than 100 Outstanding Western Philosophers, Physical and Social Scientists, Psychologists, Religious Writers and Theologians (Hardcover)
This book might be worth $21, (used price), as the thinker's ideas presented in one place are surely great reference material.
Other book reviews here discuss the content and layout so I will only add a comment about the religious bias it seems to have because one wouldn't expect it since it is neither suggested by the title or mentioned anywhere. I feel like it has a hidden, dishonest agenda of making it look as though the great thinkers thought more highly of religion than they really did.
For example in discussing David Hume, it reads "the charge that he was an atheist seems a gross oversimplification of the quite complex and sophisticated views he held" Well I'm no expert on Hume but he was the ultimate skeptic who neither believed in miracles or God. So while the book admits that his comtemporaries call him an atheist-- but discounts that he was, which I guess also implies that other scholars are simpletons.
It concludes by saying, "one might say that Hume could well have been speaking for himself when at the end of the Dialogues he puts the following words in Philo's mouth:'...The cause or causes of order in the universe probably bear some remote analogy to human intelligence....". But if you look up that quote, they left off the front of it which clearly indicates that Philo doesn't agree with that statement. The sentence starts "If the whole of natural theology, as some people seem to maintain, resolves itself into one simple, though somewhat ambiguous, at least undefined proposition, that the cause... "So he's not saying what the anthology says he is. You can read the Dialogues at http://www.philosophyofreligion.info/dcnr12.html, and decide for yourself how you think Hume felt about religion, but this quote seems telling when philo says "It is certain, from experience, that the smallest grain of natural honesty and benevolence has more effect on men's conduct, than the most pompous views suggested by theological theories and systems." Or this direct Hume quote, "The christian religion not only was at first attended with miracles, but even at this day cannot be believed by any reasonable person without one"(ie. a miracle)" Neither of these quotes make it in the book.
There are many other examples, but I have limited space here. The review of Nietzsche, famous for saying God is dead,seems to put forth a much lower opinion of him than others I have read. So i.e., if they can't discount your atheism--they can always discount your greatness instead? When reading about several thinkers I felt it was unappropriate that they got into a lengthy discussion about their religious views, and each time I also felt a "spin". If a book isn't honest, what is it really worth?
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