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Confessions of a Philosopher: A Personal Journey Through Western Philosophy from Plato to Popper (Modern Library Paperbacks) Paperback – May 18, 1999

by Bryan Magee (Author)

58 customer reviews

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In this infectiously exciting book, Bryan Magee tells the story of his own discovery of philosophy and not only makes it come alive but shows its relevance to daily life. Magee is the Carl Sagan of philosophy, the great popularizer of the subject, and author of a major new introductory history, The Story of Philosophy. Confessions follows the course of Magee's life, exploring philosophers and ideas as he himself encountered them, introducing all the great figures and their ideas, from the pre-Socratics to Bertrand Russell and Karl Popper, including Wittgenstein, Kant, Nietzsche, and Schopenhauer, rationalism, utilitarianism, empiricism, and existentialism.

Confessions of a Philosopher: A Personal Journey Through Western Philosophy from Plato to Popper (Modern Library Paperbacks)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Confessions is a somewhat misleading term in this context: you won't find any lurid tales between these covers. Bryan Magee's memoirs-cum-histories of philosophy aren't even "confessions" in the self-flagellating tradition of St. Augustine and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

So what is Confessions of a Philosopher, then? It's a fascinating excursion through 2,000 years of wondering about the basic nature of existence and reality. As a 20th-century philosopher, Magee has a lot to say about his peers, and he spares no feelings. The "Oxford philosophers," who decided that philosophy was not about the nature of existence but about the nature of language, yet refused to give any consideration to fiction, are particular targets of Magee's intellectual scorn, while the late Karl Popper, a personal acquaintance of the author, is celebrated as a man who persevered in philosophy's true duties in the face of widespread academic frippery.

If you've ever wondered why we exist, you have what it takes to be a philosopher ... or at least to understand one. Bryan Magee's Confessions are thoroughly engaging proof that you don't need a degree to be a deep thinker. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Magee has taught philosophy at Oxford, and in each of these volumes he attempts to make philosophy understandable to the lay reader. The DK book devotes just a few pages to each of the major thinkers and is lavishly illustrated. It would be suitable for high school, college, and public libraries. Great Philosophers is a series of conversations with important contemporary philosophers about the major historical figures, originally produced for the BBC. Confessions is an autobiographical excursion through Western philosophy.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product details

Series: Modern Library Paperbacks
Paperback: 496 pages
Publisher: Modern Library; 1999 Modern Library Pbk. Ed edition (May 18, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375750363
ISBN-13: 978-0375750366
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 58 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,881 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #146 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Philosophers
- #376 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > History & Surveys
- #489 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Movements

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V. Clancy

Three Stars

November 23, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Not what I expected, but I can use as reference

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Yes

Antony Raymont

It is good to hear the story of a real philosopher trying ...

May 16, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It is good to hear the story of a real philosopher trying to solve the big problems of human life. I learnt a lot about philosophy - especially Kant and Schopenhauer. What he did not do is consider the impact of Eastern philosophy and spiritual life on the understanding of these issues. This was somewhat surprising given that he casually remarks, somewhere, that Schopenhauer was in the habit of reading the Upanishads...

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MADC

Very interesting journey....

August 16, 2007

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Having read Magee's outstanding book on Popper, I got interested in this "biography"...which I knew was some kind of introduction...I have found his confessions to be very interesting and if you want to say so..they apply in some aspects, mainly in what he says about his midlife crisis, not just to himself, but to a lot of us. Regarding the "introductory" part of the book..the chapters on Kant, Popper, Russell and Schopenhauer are very good indeed, and some of the explanations that he brings forward are very much to the point and very clarifying. This is due to the fact that Mr. Magee is a very good writer and I would add, very honest. The way he puts his ideas in writing are very easy to follow and to digest. Get this book if you are really interested in Philosophy...

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W. White

Excellent survey, engrossing memoir

May 20, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

As I've come to expect from Bryan Magee, his writing about philosophers, philosophy and philosophical problems is cogent and lucid. This is a great starting point for people who want to learn more about the subject, because his descriptions will make you hungry to read the great works of philosophy.

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William Haynes

Our best living philosophical writer

September 11, 2009

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This will be short. Brian Magee is without doubt our best living philosophical writer. There are some other great ones. But trust me - get Mr. Magee's books and read them closely. Then re-read them. Then re-read them again. I don't know anyone in any field who is more important and less heralded. But don't worry. His reputation will grow.

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Amazon Customer

Five Stars

January 27, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Was purchased as a gift, he was thrilled

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Peter A. Pav

Five Stars

March 5, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

fine

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Melvin Dyck

Five Stars

April 15, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Excellent book and service....

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Most recent customer reviews

This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read

This is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, and probably the best-ever philosophical biography.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Rabiya_J

... had seen on television could not possibly have anything useful to say

I had assumed that anybody I had seen on television could not possibly have anything useful to say. (Go ahead, call me prejudiced, I'm used to it.) How wrong I was.Read more

Published 6 months ago by Fred Barker

A Philosopher's Journey

This is the type of book often written by scholars at the end of his career that looks back on their educational journey and shares what they learned along the way.Read more

Published 1 year ago by Keith C.

One of the most enjoyable explorations of the lives and thoughts of the best and brightest.

Bryan Magee's Confessions of a Philosopher is an absolute joy to read and re-read.

Most chapters are written in a comfortable and conversational personal essay form,...Read more

Published on December 2, 2014 by Michael B. Cahill

brilliant unbeatable

The best book I have ever read in my life and I am 82 years. Feel like punching the air every page.
Mine had a different cover to this but methinks its the same one.

Published on September 29, 2014 by Rene 1

Terrific Work of Popularization, with an Autobiographical Twist

This is a terrific introduction to philosophy for those who lack professional training in the subject but have interest and a reasonable amount of intelligence.Read more

Published on February 26, 2014 by MMD

Philosophy Made Thrilling

There's something brilliant and engaging about this book. It's very hard to put down and deserves a wide audience and a long print-run.Read more

Published on November 4, 2013 by Etienne Jackson

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