If any person is looking for just one book to give them an overview of every major western philosophical notion of the last 2500 years this is it. It does not go into as much detail on some specifics as other great classics such as Russell's not so new version of the same title, or Durant's beautiful Story of Philosophy, but it does cover far more ground than any other work in the sense of understanding the big picture of western philosophy.
In reading this book one will gain the best initial understanding of how a certain philosopher connects to another, or how a certain school of thought leads to the next. This book, it is true, does not go into great detail on any particular philosopher. But that is not what scaping histories are for. If that is what is being sought after, buy individual books on individual philosophers or philosophies.
As far as the authorship goes, it is highly readable. It is not quit as beautiful as Will Durant's prose scholarship (though of course no one's is) but it was about as close as a page-turner comes to non-fiction. I found myself highly fascinated and growing deeper in my understanding of overall philosophy - often going through dozens of pages without even noticing. Each chapter flows logically into the next and makes perfect sense. Kenny certainly mastered the art of high quality scholarship without being pedantic.
Basically, if one is anything less than an expert on western philosophy this book holds value. If one has absolutely no, or at least very little, understanding of philosophy then this book will open a whole new world to their mind. Even if said reader is well educated in philosophy this book will increase one's overall understanding so that they may go on to, through other books, better learn of the great many philosophical specifics. I will both gladly and hastily recommend this book as the first for anyone to gain knowledge in philosophy. Surely this will become the standard survey into western philosophy for the next half-century.
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Binding was falling apart the second I opened it.
Title. The second I opened the book the binding was already falling apart. Very disappointing.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2011
Top reviews from other countries
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Ingmar A. Prada RojasReviewed in Mexico on June 17, 2024
Excelente historia de la filosofía
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João Luis Arcas GonçalvesReviewed in Spain on September 16, 2024
Ampla abrangência do pensamento ocidental.
- LReviewed in Sweden on April 5, 2023
Horrid binding quality, at least 80 pages have been lost with a few weeks of infrequent use
LHorrid binding quality, at least 80 pages have been lost with a few weeks of infrequent use
Reviewed in Sweden on April 5, 2023
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Alisson Brandemarte MoreiraReviewed in Brazil on December 5, 2020
Livro lindo e incrível, alguns defeitos de entrega e comprem capa dura.
Linda capa. Recomendo que comprem a versão de capa dura, apesar da capa normal ter uma foto milhões de vezes mais bonita. Ótimo livro para estudantes e, como o próprio autor colocou, é destinado a um público quer seja universitário - ao qual faço parte -, quer seja casual, que deseja apenas se divertir com o livrão - ao qual também faço parte. O autor divide o livro segundo a divisão padrão, a saber, filosofia antiga, medieval, moderna e contemporânea, bem como por áreas de estudo (epistemologia/metafísica/física/teologia/filosofia da mente etc). Recomendo demais, incrível. Ansioso pra começar meus estudos. Sobre a entrega, demorou bastante e veio com vários defeitinhos, mas chegou, só gostaria que tivessem tido mais cuidado. Enfim, nota 5.Alisson Brandemarte MoreiraLivro lindo e incrível, alguns defeitos de entrega e comprem capa dura.
Reviewed in Brazil on December 5, 2020
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