Customer Reviews

Introduction to Philosophical Logic

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This is an excellent survey of the main discussions in analytic philosophy, covering truth, meaning, necessity, and the debate between realism and anti-realism. It is clearly written and well organised, and provides an in-depth but accessible introduction to the central preoccupations of contemporary analytic philosophy. Anyone studying philosophy will benefit from the thorough introduction this book gives to the family of fundamental debates which are gathered under the (slightly misleading) title of "philosophical logic" (misleading because "philosophical logic" is not about logic as such; rather, this is the name Bertrand Russell gave to the technical aspects of questions about truth, meaning, the modalities, and the relation of these questions to metaphysics and epistemology). Grayling has surveyed these fundamental debates in a way that equips the reader to engage in them himself or herself. There is a connection between this book and Grayling's two "Past Master" studies (Oxford University Press), one of them on Russell and the other on Wittgenstein, because these two philosophers (especially Russell) provided much of the basis of twentieth century analytic philosophy. The principal themes of their work figures largely here, along with the contributions of Quine, Strawson, Putnam, Dummett, and other major figures of recent and contemporary philosophy. In all, the result is an invigorating and marvellously helpful introduction to the heartland of current philosophy.

Enough centuries have passed that everyone should know this: If you want a clear and readable exposition of a difficult and complex subject, you ask a British philosopher.

In that grand tradition of solidity and soundness, A.C. Grayling here provides, without fanfare but with a good deal of clarity and wit, a thoroughly reliable and lucidly intelligible introduction to logic as this topic is understood within the broad spectrum of analytic philosophy.

A standard textbook that is now in its third edition (with extensive revisions and additions by the author), this volume also makes for useful reading by interested laypersons (who may also know Grayling as the author of two excellent volumes in the _Past Masters_ series, on Russell and Wittgenstein). It is highly recommended to anyone seeking an accessible introduction to the field.

Grayling is also recommended as a master of what Brand Blanshard memorably called "philosophical style." The oracular pronouncements of the world's Nietzsches, Kierkegaards, Wittgensteins, and Ayn Rands usually get all the attention, but what really keeps the enterprise of philosophy going is the much-underappreciated art and skill of writing fine expository prose. In that respect, this volume is a gem.

Over the years I return to Grayling's Introduction to Philosophical Logic to review and re-think some of the big issues of contemporary philosophy. Grayling clearly articulate the reasons for the debates and the sides that are battling it out. He covers propositions, necessity, existence, meaning, truth, reference, etc., and then finishes off by venturing into the fray between realism and antirealism. I just think this is one of the best philosophy books you'll ever buy, read, and use again.

Lucid book on the philosophical implications of modern logic.

I wish my philosophy professors had assigned this book BEFORE they plunged us straight into rote drills in propositional and predicate logic. Grayling shows you what exactly all these sterile-seeming symbolic manipulations have to do with epistemology and metaphysics.

Also check out books by Graham Priest.

When taking university courses in philosophy, this was the first text I ever used. Several years later, I now own some 200+ philosophy texts, but I consider this to be one of the most valuable. When reading original sources, I find myself returning again and again to Grayling's An Introduction to Philosophical Logic for reminders and clarification. This is my most well-worn philosophy book. If use and usefulness are measures of value, this text is a diamond.

If you are a beginner in philosophy, particularly analytic philosophy, this text and William Lycan's Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy)should be your first two purchases.

For this standard textbook about a complex and intricate subject the author bases his views on epistemic norms and solutions. Nothing unusual there, until it comes time to open up the book - and outflows philosophical precision made sublime.

This is one of those textbooks that you just have to keep, even if you are a student low on funds; this is an effort that you will grow to appreciate as you mature in life and thought. I can't imagine anyone giving this work less than a five star, and I have an antithetical epistemic pre-critical assumption.
I may disagree passionately with the offered epistemic flooring and propose an opposing pre-assumed fountainhead, but I am able to use large amounts of logical gems mined from this fine book.


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"Students and teachers of philosophy will both find it invaluable" Brian Davies in NEW BLACKFRIARS.

"What Grayling's book aims to introduce its readers to is nothing less that the most distinctive preoccupation of twentieth-century English-speaking philosophy: its belief in the central importance of philosophical logic ... In supplying a rationalised account of the main twists and turns taken by this dominant trend, Grayling has succeeded admirably" Crispin Wright in TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

I have found A.C.Grayling's _An Introduction to Philosophical Logic_ to be very helpful. It is a very non-technical and clear discussion of necessity, analyticity, a priority and other related concepts.

Sean Choi http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/sean-choi/

I have found A.C.Grayling's _An Introduction to Philosophical Logic_ to be very helpful. It is a very non-technical and clear discussion of necessity, analyticity, a priority and other related concepts.

Sean Choi http://www.freeyellow.com/members2/sean-choi/

"Students and teachers of philosophy will both find it invaluable" Brian Davies in NEW BLACKFRIARS.

"What Grayling's book aims to introduce its readers to is nothing less that the most distinctive preoccupation of twentieth-century English-speaking philosophy: its belief in the central importance of philosophical logic ... In supplying a rationalised account of the main twists and turns taken by this dominant trend, Grayling has succeeded admirably" Crispin Wright in TIMES HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT