Virgin Philosophers S.
10 total works
Born into a Jewish emigre family in Amsterdam, Spinoza was later excommunicated for his radical theological speculations. Considered by many as one of the great Rationalist thinkers of the 17th century, his work was at first condemned for its atheist and subversive nature, his reputation only restored later by critics such as Goethe and Coleridge. Spinoza was an advocate of the freedom of scientific and philosophical speculation in the face of religious and political interference. "The Virgin Philosophers Series" covers the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. Author Paul Strathern highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of the series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
Ambitious, demanding and frequently abstruse, Hegel's philosophy has nonethelaess exerted a powerful and far-reaching influence, from Marxism to Existentialism. The last of the German idealists, and certainly one of the greatest systematic thinkers in Western philosophy, Hegel boldly maintained that his own system of philosophy was the historical culmination of all previous philosophical thought. "The Virgin Philosophers Series" covers the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. Author Paul Strathern highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of the series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
The very name Machiavelli has become a byword for evil. In "The Prince" he offered advice on how to rule successfully. His ideas were devious and unscrupulous - yet controversy still rages as to whether he was a political realist or dangerously amoral. The "Virgin Philosophers" series cover the lives and ideas of the major philosophers, attempting to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
Confucius was the only philosopher whose ideas were taken on as a full state religion. Born into an aristocratic family, he rose to become a minister in the state of Lu in China. After falling out with the ruler he became a wondering sage, trying to replace empty religious observances by teaching moral values as the basis of social and political order. The the "Virgin Philosophers Series" cover the life and ideas of the major philosophers, attempting to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
In his day, Hume was acknowledge as the finest philosopher in Europe. Yet "the greatest mind Scotland has ever produced" remained for many years unrecognized. He bore his obscurity and apparent failure with the same good-hearted sanity as his penetrating and down-to-earth philosophy. The "Virgin Philosophy" series covers the lives and ideas of the major philosophers, attempting to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
The French philosopher Foucault was arguably the most controversial of modern thinkers. His lifestyle was unorthodox and his ideas on power, history, knowledge and sexuality challengend many previously held views. Opinions differ as to his true standing: to many he was a hero of modern thought; to others his ideas were pernicious and overrated. This series of guides cover the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. The author's concise and comprehensible style highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of this series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
Locke's philosophy laid the foundations of empiricism - the belief that all our knowledge is based upon experience. He also introduced the idea of liberal democracy and his ideas were to be a major influence on the first US constitution. He was the only major philosopher to become a government minister. "The Virgin Philosophers Series" covers the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. Author Paul Strathern highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of the series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
Kant was the first and the finest philosopher in the great German metaphysical tradition. A somewhat eccentric figure, he never left his native town of Konigsberg on the Baltic coast - yet the influence of his all-embracing philosophical system spread throughout the world. He famously declared, "from the crooked timber of humanity, nothing straight can ever be made". This series of guides cover the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. The author's concise and comprehensible style highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of this series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
Derrida is the last in the long tradition of recalcitrant French intellectuals, stretching from Rousseau, through Sartre, to Foucault. Typically, he disagrees with all his predecessors. His close philosophical scrutiny led him to formulate the notion of "deconstruction". According to Derrida, this "should seek a new investigation of responsibility, questioning the codes inherited from ethics and politics". "The Virgin Philosophers Series" covers the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. Author Paul Strathern highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of the series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.
The philosopher of individual self-expression, Rousseau was a leading precursor of the Romantic movement. He famously declared, "Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains". Rousseau himself spent several years as a fugitive and was finally acclaimed by the French Revolution 11 years after his death. "The Virgin Philosophers Series" covers the lives and ideas of the major philosophers. Author Paul Strathern highlights the major advances in philosophy, as well as the men who conceived them and the times in which they lived. Containing quotes, insights and anecdotes, the aim of the series is to clarify the mysteries of philosophy for the general reader.