History of Western Philosophy: A General History of Philosophy Narrated from a Social and Political Perspective (Illustrated Abbreviated Edition)

Author: (English) Bertrand Russell
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-04-01
Features: A History of Western Philosophy is a highly influential academic masterpiece in the global intellectual community. Since its introduction to China in the early 1960s, it has had a widespread impact among intellectuals, with many people reading it with reverence. It is regarded as a philosophical classic for reference. The author, Bertrand Russell, is the founder of modern analytic philosophy and one of the most celebrated philosophers of the 20th century. In the book, the author spans the fields of philosophy, history, and theology, examining the general history of philosophical development within the complex social relationships. From the beginning of the first philosophical school in human history—the Milesian School in the 6th century BC—to the rise of modern philosophy, almost any important philosophical viewpoint can be found clearly discussed in this work. As Russell said: "My purpose is not to add another A History of Western Philosophy to the many existing ones. My purpose is to reveal that philosophy is a part of social life and political life. It is not the isolated thinking of an extraordinary individual but the product of the social character of various systems that once prevailed." Russell's purpose makes the narrative of the general history of philosophy in A History of Western Philosophy richer and more concrete than that of most other historians of philosophy. Human development history shows that to understand an era or a nation, one must understand its philosophy; and to understand its philosophy, one must first start with the history of philosophy. A History of Western Philosophy is a highly influential academic masterpiece in the global intellectual community. Since its introduction to China in the early 1960s, it has had a widespread impact among intellectuals, with many people reading it with reverence. It is regarded as a philosophical classic for reference. The author, Bertrand Russell, is the founder of modern analytic philosophy and one of the most celebrated philosophers of the 20th century. In the book, the author spans the fields of philosophy, history, and theology, examining the general history of philosophical development within the complex social relationships. From the beginning of the first philosophical school in human history—the Milesian School in the 6th century BC—to the rise of modern philosophy, almost any important philosophical viewpoint can be found clearly discussed in this work. As Russell said: "My purpose is not to add another A History of Western Philosophy to the many existing ones. My purpose is to reveal that philosophy is a part of social life and political life. It is not the isolated thinking of an extraordinary individual but the product of the social character of various systems that once prevailed." Russell's purpose makes the narrative of the general history of philosophy in A History of Western Philosophy richer and more concrete than that of most other historians of philosophy. Human development history shows that to understand an era or a nation, one must understand its philosophy; and to understand its philosophy, one must first start with the history of philosophy.