- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 Sub edition (2 Oct 1997)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 019511552X
- ISBN-13: 978-0195115529
- Product Dimensions: 20.5 x 13.7 x 0.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,274,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
"Treats its subject in a way that will arouse the interest of any one who has any latent ability to become interested in it."--The New York Times
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
One of his great works, and a must-read for any student of philosophy, The Problems of Philosophy was written in 1912 as an introduction to Russell's thought. As an empiricist, Russell starts at the beginning with this question: Is there any knowledge in the world that is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it? This, according to Russell, is where the work of philosophy begins. He covers topics such as reality, the nature of matter, inductive reasoning, truth, and the limits of philosophical knowledge. As one of the greatest minds in Western philosophy, Russell's thoughts are profoundly informative and provocative and suitable for anyone wishing to expand his mind. British philosopher and mathematician BERTRAND ARTHUR WILLIAM RUSSELL (1872-1970) won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. Among his many works are Why I Am Not a Christian (1927), Power: A New Social Analysis (1938), and My Philosophical Development (1959).
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Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it? Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Is there any knowledge in the world which is so certain that no reasonable man could doubt it? Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm currently taking my final year in A level philosophy and I'd like to recommend this as a taster of philosophy that is a slightly more challenging read than the average textbook or 'teach yourself guide'. The language is clear and concise but the concepts are challenging and Russell really does engage the reader and gets you thinking about the problems he addresses, inspiring you to read more! A fairly short book, well worth reading whether you have ever come across philosophy before or not as it assumes no previous knowledge. An excellent read!
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you haven't read this yet, read it! The definite article in the title may be misleading; of course Russell does not tackle ALL the problems of philosophy - indeed who is to say what they all are? The book is mostly confined to problems of epistemology - i.e., what we can know. Having said this, it provides an excellent introduction to philosophy generally. There is nothing quite like Russell's crystal-clear prose style, which immediately gives a sense of the best philosophical writing. No doubt reading this will give you the urge to explore more philosophy; it really deserves its reputation as the best introduction to the subject from an anglophone point of view. (For "continental" philosophy, try Sartre's "Existentialism and Humanism".)
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A fantastic, if not slightly intense introduction to the discipline of philosophy.
This is a book that will have as much value the first time read as every subsequent time. Deceptively concise because at close to 130 pages it manages to confront a vast number of philosophical positions, and unlike many other philosophical introductions forces the reader to actually understand the philosophical argumentation, as opposed to simply learning it. The strength of this work as an introduction isn't so much as an overview of epistemological theories but in the actual discipline of rigorous analytic thinking.
I highly enjoyed this work and it is perfect for any person with a serious interest in philosophy. A degree of familiarity with philosophical writing, or a philosophical dictionary may be needed to ensure a smooth and rewarding read, as Russell really is one of the most prolific, erudite and concise writers of modern times.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good but not great.
Provides a good introduction to the various discussions and disagreements in philosophy, however it is tainted by his own biases. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Owen Foster
Not a good introduction to the problems of philosophy
For all Bertrand Russell's virtue in writing clearly, the arguments of The Problems of Philosophy are not always clear and, even worse, Russell seems to have picked up Immanuel... Read more
Published 4 months ago by G. Imroth
Self-absorbed cerebral maze
Bertrand Russell's discourse on the problems of philosophy could appeal to those who seek either to find pleasure in intellectual activity or to those trying to understand... Read more
Published 5 months ago by D. V. Short
Good, but only of its analytic kind
I've been a reader of philosophy for thirty years or so now and would like to add some qualification to the enthusiastic reviews of Problems by some younger readers. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Stephen Cowley
Good condition
Writing this review specific to the condition of the book, I was very happy to receieve it in excellent condition.
Published 17 months ago by Happy Customer!
Luna
I'm preparing myself for my Philosophy course in Uni next year and somebody suggested this book.
It's a fantastic book to introduce yourself to the subject and Bertrand... Read more
It's a fantastic book to introduce yourself to the subject and Bertrand... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Luna
Excellent introduction to the key questions of western philosophy
I first read this short and lucid introduction to many of the key questions addressed by Western philosophy back in 1968, as a new philosophy undergraduate. Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2009 by John Kingston
Not very clear.
I am a college student who is currently taking an introductory course in philosophy. Russell's book was the first readings assigned to us. Read more
Published on 21 Sep 2003 by "twosteppin83"
Read the first part last.
Russell, like Richard Dawkins, is such a lucid and persuasive writer that you have to make an effort to think carefully about whether what he is saying is right. Read more
Published on 3 April 2003 by Mr. A. J. Norman
A good introduction; useful and thought provoking
I originally had to read this book as a set text for university application and a first really did not like the look of it. Read more
Published on 26 Nov 2000
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