Философия

Различные книги в жанре Философия

Beyond Good and Evil

Friedrich Nietzsche

"Beyond Good and Evil" is Nietzsche at his best. In the book the philosopher attempts to systematically sum up his philosophy through a collection of 296 aphorisms grouped into nine different chapters based on their common theme. For the reader who has yet to discover Nietzsche in this translation by Helen Zimmern will be found a fabulous introduction. For those who have already discovered Nietzsche here you will find the opportunity to understand the whole of Nietzsche's philosophy.

Hegel's Logic: Being Part One of the Encyclopaedia of the Philosophical Sciences

G. W. F. Hegel

A major figure in German Idealism, early 19th century philosopher G. W. F. Hegel developed a comprehensive philosophical framework, referred to as «Absolute Idealism» which sought to describe the relation between mind and nature. Underpinning the framework of this philosophy is the assertion that in order for the human consciousness to understand the world at all there must be in some sense an identity of thought and being. «Hegel's Logic» or part one of the «Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences» is an abbreviation of Hegel's earlier «Science of Logic». It is a work in which Hegel presents the categories of thought as they are in themselves; they are the minimal conditions for thinking anything at all, the conceptions that run in the background of all our thinking. In Hegel's philosophy no amount of observing will bring us to the essence of things, instead it is the articulation of the «Geist», or spirit, in other words, the activity of thinking, that gives definition to the nature of existence. The analysis of Hegel's philosophy often results in contradictory interpretations which is illustrative of the complexity of his works as he wrote with the assumption that the reader was well versed in the works of philosophy that came before. Hegel wrote the «Encyclopedia of the Philosophical Sciences» with the intention of it being a more accessible entry point to his philosophy.

Pragmatism

William James

William James, who has been called the “father of American psychology”, was one of the most influential thinkers of the 19th century. Along with Charles Sanders Peirce, William James established the school of thought known as “Pragmatism”, a philosophy which rejected the idea that language and thought exists simply to represent nature, but rather it must be useful in transacting with nature, in predicting outcomes, and solving problems. First published in 1907, William James’ “Pragmatism” presents an excellent introduction into the philosophical theory of the same name. This work collects together a series of eight lectures delivered at the Lowell Institute in Boston in November and December, 1906, and in January, 1907, at Columbia University, in New York. In these lectures William James presents his argument of the philosophical dilemmas that the Pragmatist philosophy is meant to address. Pragmatism’s application to religion, which James expounded upon in his monumental work “The Varieties of Religious Experience”, is considered, as well as its application to Humanism and other metaphysical concerns. This short work provides an excellent exposition of one of the most important philosophical movements of the last part of the 19th and first part of the 20th century. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals

David Hume

First published in 1751, “An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals” by David Hume, the Scottish Enlightenment philosopher, was the enquiry subsequent to his 1748 work “Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding” and is often referred to as “the second Enquiry”. In Hume’s own opinion it was the very best of all his writings. In “An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals”, Hume expands upon his ideas of morality first discussed in his earlier work “A Treatise of Human Nature”. Hume seeks to understand how humans make moral judgments and whether ethics have a basis in objective reality or reason. Hume argues that ethics is fundamentally rooted in sentiment and emotion and that ethics has no meaning apart from human understanding. Rather, whether something is ethical or not depends largely on the feelings that the behavior evokes. Hume also makes the compelling argument that true virtue is based on the natural world and is not dependent on laws or social systems. Instead, the most important and worthy virtues are found in the highest merit that human nature is capable of, such as being merciful, generous, friendly, and benevolent. “An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals” remains an important and thought-provoking masterpiece of philosophy nearly three hundred years later. This edition include a biographical afterword.

Ethics

Benedict De spinoza

“Ethics” is the most famous work of Benedict de Spinoza, who is considered one of the great rationalists of 17th-century philosophy. Spinoza was born of Jewish and Portuguese ancestry in 1632 and lived a simple life in Amsterdam as an optical lens grinder. His greatest fame came about when “Ethics,” a collection of several of his philosophical works, was published anonymously by his close friends in 1677 shortly after Spinoza’s untimely death at age 44. In this seminal work, Spinoza lays out his ethical philosophy in a precise geometrical order. He argues expressly against the dualism of Descartes and contends instead that everything in the world flows from the essential nature of reality, or God. Human perception of this ultimate truth is imperfect and thus much of human knowledge is incomplete and faulty. Individuals must strive toward a more perfect and virtuous knowledge of truth and reality by controlling their emotions and employing a more scientific and objective approach. This masterpiece of reason and rationality remains one of the most important philosophical treatises on the subject and a must read for all students of philosophy.

The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Adam Smith

Written in 1759 by Scottish philosopher and political economist Adam Smith, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” provides much of the foundation for the ideas in his later works, most notably in “The Wealth of Nations.” Through this initial text, Smith expresses his general system of morals, exploring the propriety of action, reward and punishment, sense of duty, and the effect of numerous factors on moral sentiment. In so doing, Smith devised innovative theories on virtues, conscience, and moral judgment that are still relevant and accessible today. Though somewhat surprising to find a philosopher of Smith’s abilities discussing aspects such as luck and sympathy and how they affect self-image or relationships, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” never loses its critical excellence in its good-natured understanding of the human exploration for the meaning of being good.

The Theory of Moral Sentiments (with an introduction by Herbert W. Schneider)

Adam Smith

Written in 1759 by Scottish philosopher and political economist Adam Smith, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” provides much of the foundation for the ideas in his later works, most notably in “The Wealth of Nations.” Through this initial text, Smith expresses his general system of morals, exploring the propriety of action, reward and punishment, sense of duty, and the effect of numerous factors on moral sentiment. In so doing, Smith devised innovative theories on virtues, conscience, and moral judgment that are still relevant and accessible today. Though somewhat surprising to find a philosopher of Smith’s abilities discussing aspects such as luck and sympathy and how they affect self-image or relationships, “The Theory of Moral Sentiments” never loses its critical excellence in its good-natured understanding of the human exploration for the meaning of being good. This edition includes an introduction by Herbert W. Schneider.

The Genealogy of Morals (Translated by Horace B. Samuel with an Introduction by Willard Huntington Wright)

Friedrich Nietzsche

German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche was one the most controversial figures of the 19th century. His evocative writings on religion, morality, culture, philosophy, and science were often polemic attacks against the established views of his time. First published in 1887, “The Genealogy of Morals,” is a work which follows and expands upon the principles of his previous works, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” and “Beyond Good and Evil.” In a preface and three interrelated essays, Nietzsche outlines his theories on the origins of our moral prejudices. “The Genealogy of Morals,” was written partly in response to his friend Paul Rée's book “The Origin of the Moral Sensations,” whose genealogical hypothesis of morality he found unsatisfactory. Nietzsche begins by reiterating in his first essay the historical conflict between socio-economic classes that has given rise to the varying definitions of good and evil. In the second essay, Nietzsche discusses the origins of the institution of punishment, asserting that it arises from a straightforward relationship between creditors and debtors. Lastly, in the third essay, the philosopher considers the meaning of ascetic ideals. A classic work of moral philosophy, “The Genealogy of Morals” is considered by many as one of Nietzsche’s finest. This edition follows the translation of Horace B. Samuel, includes an introduction by Willard Huntington Wright, and a biographical afterword.

Nicomachean Ethics (Translated by W. D. Ross with an Introduction by R. W. Browne)

Aristotle

Composed of ten books and based upon Aristotle’s own notes from his lectures at the Lyceum, “Nicomachean Ethics” holds a pre-eminent place amongst the ancient treatises on moral philosophy. As opposed to other pre-Socratic works, “Nicomachean Ethics” moves beyond the purely theoretical analysis of moral philosophy by examining its practical application. Aristotelian ethics is concerned with how an individual should best live their life and at its core asserts the idea that the most virtuous life will be the happiest one. By living well, in balance with one’s environment, eschewing excess, guiding one’s life by reason, Aristotle argues, is the path towards the most virtuous and thus the happiest life. Aristotle’s ethical philosophy had a profound influence on ancient civilization, an influence that was sustained until the rise of Christianity which contradicted the premise of Aristotelian ethics by asserting that the most virtuous life was to be achieved instead by living an austere life of sacrifice devoted to God. This edition follows the translation of W. D. Ross and includes an introduction by R. W. Browne.

Beyond Good and Evil (Translated by Helen Zimmern with Introductions by Willard Huntington Wright and Thomas Common)

Friedrich Nietzsche

German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche was one the most controversial figures of the 19th century. His evocative writings on religion, morality, culture, philosophy, and science were often polemic attacks against the established views of his time. First published in 1886, “Beyond Good and Evil” is a work that draws upon and expands the ideas that Nietzsche first addressed in his previous work, “Thus Spoke Zarathustra.” Nietzsche contrasts the concepts of good and evil as they were viewed in ancient times with the modern interpretations of them. As he asserts, the initial form of morality arises from the warrior nature of the ruling castes of ancient civilizations, who viewed themselves as good because of their wealth and power in contrast to the weakness of those that they enslaved. He further describes how the recasting of these ancient values through religion has given rise to a new “slave” morality, which defines goodness by a set of virtues which are contradictory to those of the ruling classes. Ultimately “Beyond Good and Evil” is a harsh criticism of philosophical systems that described a good person as the opposite of an evil one rather than just a relative expression of the impulses inherent in all men. This edition is translated by Helen Zimmern, includes introductions by Willard Huntington Wright and Thomas Common, and a biographical afterword.