Western Philosophy

Introductory philosophy courses often present a dilemma for instructors: does one select a number of 'classic' texts, and treat them in detail, or does one use a survey of such texts and attempt to touch briefly upon a variety of subject areas? Both methods have their deficiencies and advantages, but the present text should serve as an excellent choice for those electing to take the survey approach. Cottingham (philosophy, Univ. of Reading) has divided philosophical enquiry into ten broad categories and within each category chosen ten excerpts from major writers to illustrate the range of thinking within each category. This is far more than a 'Greatest Hits of Philosophy,' however. The selections have been carefully chosen from a broad range of writers that includes Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant, Mill, Nietzsche, Strawson, Popper, Rawls, and Tolstoy. The texts have been updated where the editor felt the language to be archaic or unclear, and the selections appropriately illustrate the breadth and depth of each category of philosophical activity. At the end of the book are brief biographies of each philosopher excerpted. Together with a good survey history of philosophy such as The Oxford History of Western Philosophy (LJ 9/1/94), this text would be ideal for an introductory course or program. The one caveat is the price of the hardcover edition; libraries may opt for it, but students would be better off with the paperback.