Masterpieces of World Philosophy [Hardcover]

Frank Magill (Editor), John Roth (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1990

For many, philosophy is a difficult, almost unapproachable field--just understanding it seems to require more knowledge than most students and general readers could possible have. That's how Masterpieces of World Philosophy can help you to truly grasp the ideas of Aristotle and Aquinas, Confucius and Camus: it examines and summarizes nearly one hundred influential works through critical essays that focus on their themes and major points.

Based on the award-winning, five-volume reference, World Philosophy, each essay explains the historical background of the work, the life of its author, and its influence on modern thought. Alternative views of the philosopher's ideas are provided through reviews of important critical works, and reading lists help you find sources for additional information. With Masterpieces of World Philosophy, the ideas that have shaped our world--from the ancients to the thinkers of our time--are at your fingertips.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Frank N. Magill has been a writer and editor of distinguished reference works for the past forty years. John K. Roth is Russell K. Pitzer Professor of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. In 1988, he was named Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 684 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers; 1st edition (1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060164301
• ISBN-13: 978-0060164300
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,115,309 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John K. Roth is the Edward J. Sexton Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and the Founding Director of the Center for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights (now the Center for Human Rights Leadership) at Claremont McKenna College, where he taught from 1966 through 2006. In 2007-2008, he served as the Robert and Carolyn Frederick Distinguished Visiting Professor of Ethics at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. In addition to service on the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and on the editorial board for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, he has published hundreds of articles and reviews and authored, co-authored, or edited more than forty books, including Genocide and Human Rights: A Philosophical Guide; Gray Zones: Ambiguity and Compromise in the Holocaust and Its Aftermath; and Ethics During and After the Holocaust: In the Shadow of Birkenau. With Peter Hayes, Roth is currently editing the Oxford Handbook of Holocaust Studies for the Oxford University Press. Roth has been Visiting Professor of Holocaust studies at the University of Haifa, Israel, and his Holocaust-related research appointments have included a 2001 Koerner Visiting Fellowship at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies in England as well as a 2004-05 appointment as the Ina Levine Invitational Scholar at the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C. In 1988, Roth was named U.S. National Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiences of World Philosophy by Frank Magill, January 16, 2007

By 

Roland R. Kratzner (Anderson, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Masterpieces of World Philosophy (Hardcover)

Excellent review of books and related literature for philosophers of history and more recent contributors of the philosophic dialog. Very well written usually 2 to 4 page summaries of the philosopher's key books. A great way to review the philosophic dialog in print and especially helpful are the summary of basic ideas at the beginning of each book review. It is helpful for those as a guide for going on to read the

originals. Kind of a cliffs notes to philosophy. Very valuable.

Roland R. Kratzner

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent summaries of the major philosophical works, November 22, 2009

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Masterpieces of World Philosophy (Hardcover)

I have a copy of "Masterpieces of World Literature" which I have found to be a good reference (containing critical summaries of the major works of literature), and when I came across this title, I decided to get a copy for myself. I have always been interested in philosophy, yet never found the time to really delve into each individual work due to time constraints. This book suits my needs perfectly as it analyzes and summarizes about 100 major works of philosophy, beginning with The Analects of Confucius, covering the Bhagavad Gita, the Tao Te Ching, Saint Augustine's The City of God, Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince, Rene Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy, Rousseau's The Social Contract,among others, and ending with John Rawls' Theory of Justice.

Each philosophical work has an essay analyzing the principal ideas advanced (at the beginning the name of the author, type of work, and the time it was first transcribed is provided), pertinent literature (analyzing these works), and also a list of recommended titles for additional reading on each philosophical work. This is a handy resource for those seeking an introduction to the major works of literature.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book!, May 25, 2009

By 

Eloy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Masterpieces of World Philosophy (Hardcover)

Gives main points to works, really helps you understand the philosophers so you can then think for yourself.