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9 reviews for:
The Story of Philosophy: A Concise Introduction to the World's Greatest Thinkers and Their Ideas
Bryan Magee
4.03 AVERAGE
9 reviews for:
The Story of Philosophy: A Concise Introduction to the World's Greatest Thinkers and Their Ideas
Bryan Magee
4.03 AVERAGE
Remarkably accessible (if at times unavoidably verbose) and eye-opening both through explanation of historical figures and brief summary of their overall importance.
A lot of the blurbs felt super unnecessary and distracted from the main text.
I also wish that there were more writing on the future of philosophy and current philosophical trends and figures, but the lack thereof is understandable considering recency and the notably analysis-based (and therefore professional) trend denoted of recent philosophical work .
A lot of the blurbs felt super unnecessary and distracted from the main text.
I also wish that there were more writing on the future of philosophy and current philosophical trends and figures, but the lack thereof is understandable considering recency and the notably analysis-based (and therefore professional) trend denoted of recent philosophical work .
A textbook for those who don't want to take a college course. Wonderful overview of some of the world's greatest philosophers, and a good introduction to those new to the subject matter.
I will be forever grateful for this book. I can safely say that reading this book in a high school philosophy class set me on the path that led to my mind being freed from the ultra-evangelical bubble I was raised in. I still open it up now and then and smile at the highlights I made, the notes I wrote in the margins and meditate on the person I've become because of the way this book helped set me free.
Beyond all that, it was a great summation of the major philosophies throughout history (if a bit too focused on the "western world").
Beyond all that, it was a great summation of the major philosophies throughout history (if a bit too focused on the "western world").
informative
medium-paced
x-post with GR
Magee presents a strong mostly-chronological history of philosophy in this DK illustrated version. The prose is strong, though marred at times by the hectic pace of covering millennia in just over 200 pages. Later in the book, Magee's strong anticommunism and anti-Marxism mar some of his coverage of thinkers like Marx, Popper, and the Existentialists. Overall, though, this stands as a good introduction to the history of philosophical thought and development. I would not suggest this to a complete beginner, but if one is familiar with the general progression from Plato through Descartes, to Hegel so on, Magee fills the gaps and clears some things up.
A note about the DK illustrated edition: the asides, quotations, and side-notes are distracting at times. I would have preferred to read this in a text-only form - at the sacrifice of some lovely pieces of art.
Magee presents a strong mostly-chronological history of philosophy in this DK illustrated version. The prose is strong, though marred at times by the hectic pace of covering millennia in just over 200 pages. Later in the book, Magee's strong anticommunism and anti-Marxism mar some of his coverage of thinkers like Marx, Popper, and the Existentialists. Overall, though, this stands as a good introduction to the history of philosophical thought and development. I would not suggest this to a complete beginner, but if one is familiar with the general progression from Plato through Descartes, to Hegel so on, Magee fills the gaps and clears some things up.
A note about the DK illustrated edition: the asides, quotations, and side-notes are distracting at times. I would have preferred to read this in a text-only form - at the sacrifice of some lovely pieces of art.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I really like this.
I don't know a lot of philosophy so I couldn't tell you if this was a good summary of it.
I can tell you that I understood most of the explanations, found the pictures charming and have learned a lot. That's enough for me.
I don't know a lot of philosophy so I couldn't tell you if this was a good summary of it.
I can tell you that I understood most of the explanations, found the pictures charming and have learned a lot. That's enough for me.
Exactly what I was looking for: a general overview of western philosophers and movements. Occasionally more heavy on the biography than the philosophy, but gave me what I needed to get back into the game and decide which (western) philosophers I want to read next.
I’m putting this down because I read it for my philosophy class and in many ways that class sucked, but also, I was very fond of my teacher. Tragic