History of Philosophy, Volume 7 (Modern Philosophy) (Paperback)

by Frederick Copleston (Author) "I. IN the German philosophical world during the early part of the nineteenth century we find one of the most remarkable flowerings of metaphysical speculation..." (more)
Key Phrases: French Revolution, The Phenomenology of Spirit, Ludwig Feuerbach (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English.

From the Publisher
Conceived originally as a serious presentation of the development of philosophy for Catholic seminary students, Frederick Copleston's nine-volume A History Of Philosophy has journeyed far beyond the modest purpose of its author to universal acclaim as the best history of philosophy in English.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Image (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385470444
• ISBN-13: 978-0385470445
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,065 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #67 in

  Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > History & Surveys

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Introduction to Philosophy Out There!, June 8, 2006

By	D. Horan "Franciscan Friar" (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Copleston's series, "The History of Philosophy", is quite possibly the best introduction to the history of philosophical thought that has ever been published and certainly the best currently in print.

You will be hard pressed to find a better collection of solid philosophical surveys in one place. The beauty of the series is that Copleston has clearly done his research on each period and each thinker of Western philosophy.

I cannot recommend this series any more highly. It is a must-have collection for anyone who is a scholar (professional or casual) of philosophy, theology or any of the arts.

If this isn't on your bookshelf, it should be!

4.0 out of 5 stars Review of Copleston's History, Volume Seven, February 23, 2009

By	Ryan S. Mease "scott.godwin" (Green Bay, WI, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My Credentials:

I'm merely a student of philosophy for the time being, not a teacher, so I'm no scholar. I have, however, read Copleston through the seventh volume, so I'm certainly a veteran of his History; I know its strengths and weaknesses.

Review:

The volume does a wonderful job of delineating the complex systems of metaphysical idealism, which I was somewhat intimated to approach. Copleston is esoterically extensive in his consideration of Fitche, Schelling and Hegel. Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard are well-treated.

The volume is also strong in its covering of minor thinkers (as are ALL Copleston volumes).

The volume is utterly pathetic in its examination of the twentieth-century German titans: Husserl and Hiedegger. I would also argue that it is weak in its examination of Nietzsche, but I may be over estimating this philosopher's position in history.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview of mostly terrible philosophers, September 25, 2008

By	Nathan Thelen "Der Steppenwolf" (Grand Rapids, Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After Kant left wreckage of classical philosophy, but leaving fundamental flaws in his own Copernican Revolution, it seems the people after him took to such lengths as to add to his errors, hence the dawning of the idealists.

They were obsessed with the idea of subject and object. The idealists thought that there was an infinite will. They started with Philosophy of the first science, stating fundamental truths. Why are they fundamental truths? Because they said so. Hence was the problem. They threw around infinite will, absolute ego, absolute consciousness, ad nauseum until it made you wonder whether they had any idea what they were talking about.

The main problem is that they essentially thought the individual is the way the absolute ego becomes conscious of himself, so in essence we're all the same unified blob that simply thinks we're completely separate entities. They keep talking about self-realization and other warm fuzzies that just struck this reader as silly sophistry.

In all honesty, Fichte and Schelling had some good things to say, though their underlying mentality was flawed. Hegel was nauseating, and the worst case of mental masturbation this reader has ever encountered. Copleston defended Hegel a few times, essentially saying "It isn't completely empty-headed blather, hear him out a little." No, it really was that dumb.

After their silly ponderings the cynical but down to earth writing of Schopenhauer was welcomed.

It's really a shame such little space was devoted to Kierkegaard, who had more poignant things to say than all the idealists combined. Nietzsche gets more attention, but his musings are less philosophical investigations as vicious ranting.

A shame Copleston chose to focus so much on such lightweights, but this reader might have missed something too.