Philosophic Classics, Volume IV: 19th Century Philosophy (3rd Edition) [Paperback]

Forrest E. Baird (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130485500 | ISBN-13: 978-0130485502 | Publication Date: July 8, 2002 | Edition: 3

This anthology of readings in contemporary Western philosophy focuses on 19th-century philosophers who represent a variety of responses to the issue of their day: whether or not there was a knowable, nonhuman rational order upon which thinking persons could willfully choose to act. The selections are readable and accessible, yet remain faithful to the original works. Accompanying the text are drawings, diagrams, photographs, and a timeline; all of which allow the reader to really study the major philosophical thinkers of the 19th-century: Bentham, Wollstonecraft, Fichte, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Comte, Feuerbach, Mill, Kierkegaard, Marx, Peirce, James, and Nietzche. For anyone interested in owning a collection of works from the greatest philosophical thinkers in the 19th-century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Students with little or no background in philosophy would likely find it difficult—if not impossible—to comprehend the works of many of the philosophers addressed in [each] volume on their own. However, this text's informative introductions and careful selection of readings make it possible for students to get a foothold in their primary texts....[S]tudents are afforded the opportunity to engage with the works of these illustrious but often inscrutable thinkers." — Jennifer McMahon, Centre College

"This collection is by far the best I have seen in this area....And I certainly prefer having all of my material together in one text rather than having students purchase half a dozen books, which then still require supplementation. I cannot imagine a better format or selection of materials that would tempt me away from this collection for another." — Ted Toadvine, Emporia State University

From the Back Cover

Forrest Baird's revisions of Philosophic Classics, Prentice Hall's long-standing philosophy series, continue the tradition begun in 1961, to provide generations of students with anthologies of high quality in the history of Western philosophy. Using the complete works or, where appropriate, complete sections of works, this series allows philosophers to speak directly to students.

This series includes texts central to the thinker's own philosophy, using the best available translations. Introductions to each reading are divided into three sections:

• Biographical – Provides a glimpse into the life of the philosopher;
• Philosophical – Presents a résumé of the philosopher's thought; and
• Bibliographical – Offers suggestions for further reading.

In addition, drawings, photographs, and time lines help put the readings into context. In short, every effort has been made to help the reader understand primary source materials.

Philosophic Classics is available in the following versions:

• Volume I: Ancient Philosophy Fourth Edition, c2003 (0-13-048556-X)
• Volume II: Medieval Philosophy, Fourth Edition, c2003 (0-13-048557-8)
• Volume III: Modern Philosophy, Fourth Edition, c2003 (0-13-048558-6)
• Volume IV: Nineteenth-Century Philosophy; Third Edition, c2003 (0-13-048550-0)
• Volume V: Twentieth-Century Philosophy Third Edition, c2003 (013-048563-2)
• From Plato to Derrida, Combined Edition, Fourth Edition, c2003 (0-13-048561-6)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 498 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 3 edition (July 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130485500
• ISBN-13: 978-0130485502
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Intro to 19th Century Philosophy, March 21, 2004

By 

Greg Feirman (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philosophic Classics, Volume IV: 19th Century Philosophy (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

This anthology is a great start for anyone interested in getting a taste of 19th Century philosophy. There are excerpts from all of the major philosophers from that period: Hegel, Schopenhauer, Marx, Kierkegaard, Mill, James and Nietzsche. Plus, for each philosopher there is a brief biography and summary of each of the excerpts useful for placing the excerpts in context and for understanding them.

Personally, I hadn't read much of any of these besides from Marx and Mill. But I sure enjoyed discovering these guys. Hegel is barely intelligible as far as I am concerned. But Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and James are impassioned. 19th Century philosophy is often understood as the Romantic Reaction against the overly sterile, mechanical, hyper rational philosophy of the Enlightenment. And I agree. It's worth reading these guys for their critique of rational man, faith in science and progress, and inattention to will, passion, emotion and life as it is really lived by existing, actual human beings. Up until quite recently, I've been pretty much an unquestioning believer in the value of reason, material progress, etc.. But I've had some doubts lately and these guys well articulate some of the reasons for doubting.

Greg Feirman ([e-mail])