Tumults In Thinking: A Basic History Of Western Philosophy From Pre-Socratics To Postmodernists

The aim of these few pages is to present the history of philosophy in a concise manner and without the lengthy amplifications available in longer texts. The book presents a broad overview of philosophy, while providing significant details to indicate the complexity and rigor of the discipline through times of historical tumult, both in the emerging and eclipsing of ideas. As the book is not intended as an intensive or exhaustive history of the subject, major transitions in thinking and notable debates are highlighted. The book is largely but not exclusively intended for relative newcomers to philosophy; the text explicates philosophical positions for understanding philosophy through consideration of its broader history. While the beginner needs an overview of the historical landscape of philosophy, most do not need an encyclopedic volume providing infinite detail on the history of the subject. Thus, the brevity of this book on such a large subject is without apology. Included are references to historical world events of seismic importance, such as the fall of the Roman Empire and the world wars of the twentieth century—these and other events with some influence upon and therefore of importance to the history of philosophy. Demarcations of the history of philosophy are present in the chapter headings and subheadings. Initial introduction to the history of the subject comes in a first chapter positioning philosophy by considering something of the past culture in which Western philosophy first arose. The last chapter concludes by asking whether the present postmodern culture of the West leaves any space for philosophy. The chapters in between chronicle the history of Western philosophy with focus on times of transition that changed philosophy.

• | Author: Larry Harwood
• | Publisher: Kendall Hunt Publishing
• | Publication Date: Dec 19, 2017
• | Number of Pages: 194 pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback/Philosophy
• | ISBN-10: 1524952788
• | ISBN-13: 9781524952785