Product Description

In this classic introductory work, Scruton takes us on us on a fascinating tour of the subject, from founding father Descartes to the most important and famous philosopher of the twentieth century, Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151585 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 328 pages

Review

Dr Scruton writes with an unusual clarity and fluency, and is always a pleasure to read . . . this is certainly a book which you could give to anyone who was curious about philosophy and expect them to learn a lot from it. - Alan Ryan, author of Bertrand Russell: A Political Life

Anyone seeking a short and intelligible introduction to the ideas and intentions of Spinoza, Hume, Kant, Hegel and Marx, among others, need look no further. - Good Book Guide

About the Author
Roger Scruton Philosopher, author, journalist, composer and editor of the Salisbury Review, considered to be one of the world's leading conservative philosophers.

Customer Reviews

An excellent introduction to modern philosophy
If you want to discover the pleasures of philosophy, then read Roger Scruton's books. In addition to this title, I recommend "The Intelligent Person's Guide to Philosophy" and "Modern Philosophy." Scruton has an uncanny ability to convey even the most difficult concepts with clarity and grace. His "Short History of Modern Philosophy" is worth reading for two reasons: 1) it is a model of fine expository writing; and 2) it is an accessible overview of modern philosophy that will provide a foundation for further study of the central philosophers. I wish Scruton's books had been available when I was reading philosophy as an undergraduate.

Rigorous and exciting
I was convinced to buy this book by browsing through its chapter on Marx. Scruton's own political views lie on the Right, but his treatment of Marx's philosophy is among the best of this length that I have read anywhere. And that goes for other philosophers from Descartes to Wittgenstein who are discussed in this book. Scruton does not expect his readers to have any prior knowledge of philosophy, but neither does he patronise them. He expects them to think hard, and discusses the difficult points with great clarity rather than glossing them over.

However, as the first chapter makes clear, this book is best seen as a historical introduction to philosophy rather than a 'history of ideas'. Those who wish to understand the evolution of philosophy in its social and historical context will have to supplement this book with other sources.

The Perfect Introduction To Philosophy
Philosophy surveys tend either to ignore important nuances and therefore become just plain wrong, or pay attention to those details and therefore become impossible to read. This book, however, manages to provide a robust introduction to each major philosopher of the modern period, along with some pieces of what came before it, in a very short, readable way.

Scruton walks you through each philosopher's most important arguments, how those arguments come together into conclusive philosophies, and where those philosophies fit into the broader scheme of the whole history of philosophy. His clarity and brevity make this book accessible to any interested beginner, and his attention to important details in the flow of philosophy gives this book an audience within the ranks of the previously initiated. To put it succinctly: He both rigorously understands his subject and communicates very smoothly, which makes this book the absolutely perfect introduction.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn a whole lot about philosophy, and to any undergraduate who wants to ace his philosophy classes.