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

~ Forrest E. Baird (Author)

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

Product Description

For courses in 19th-century Philosophy or Contemporary Philosophy. This anthology in contemporary Western philosophy focuses on 19th-century philosophers. It features the best available translations of texts--complete works or complete sections of works--introductions to each philosopher, an abundance of drawings, diagrams, photographs, and a timeline.

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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.com Sales Rank: #620,634 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 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 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])