Customer Reviews

A History of Philosophy

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When I was doing my degree in philosophy, we were taught the history of philosophy by Windelband, and we also read Coppelston. One question that arose is this: Is Windelband's history of philosophy accurate as far as his systematizing the entire process of philosophy, how each philosophical system sublates the former. Surely there are connections, but then surely not.

In Windelband's view, Socrates leads to Plato (Idealism) that leads to Aristotle (Realism) and then back to idealist, such as Descartes, who leads to Hume (the everyday view of science, which is Realism) and then so on to Kant and Hegel's Idealsm in a very closed system of necessity. This is highly suspect for many reasons too protracted for this review--and because I have forgotten the real arguments.

If I had to suggest reading either Windelband or Coppelston for a history of philosophy, it would be Coppelston hands down. But Windelband is interesting and worth the read if you have time. It can only add to an understanding of what and how philosophy forms and how it has helped lead to science also. Just don't expect to pass your interim using Windelband on your way to a Ph.D. in philosophy--nobody teaches Windelband.