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A History of Western Philosophy

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A History of Western Philosophy

By: Bertrand Russell
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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About this listen

Bertrand Russell's A History of Western Philosophy serves as the perfect introduction to its subject; it remains unchallenged as the greatest account of the history of Western thought. Charting philosophy's course from the pre-Socratics up to the early twentieth century, Russell relates each philosopher and school to their respective historical and cultural contexts, providing erudite commentary throughout his invaluable survey. This engaging and comprehensive work has done much to educate and inform generations of general readers; it is written in accessible and elegantly crafted prose and allows for an easy grasp of complex ideas.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©1945 Bertrand Russell (P)2013 Naxos AudioBooks History Philosophy Stoicism Thought-Provoking Inspiring Funny Ancient History Metaphysical Humanism

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An interesting overview of philosophy which highlights just why sitting down and thinking about the world and then dogmatically defending your views is no substitute for sitting down and thinking about the world and falsifying that world view. Still, well written and performed.

Lots of smart people with muddled ideas

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Wonderful book made all the more engaging by Jonathan Keeble's superb narration. This is an epic tour de force not simply of philosophy but of the very history and development of Western thought. Russell's prose is witty, erudite and thought provoking, while Keeble adds a dramatic flair and brings the subject matter to life. A great combination.

Simply outstanding, and Keeble is pitch perfect

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a common sense look at the whole of western philosophy.
This is the ideal framework for the study of philosophy.
Investigate a couple of works of the more notable thinkers in a little more detail you can lean the whole of western philosophy in a fair detail with this book.
Took me about two years, eight hours a day, six days a week.
You can learn the subject as well as you can at college, without spending hundreds of thousands.
I spent maybe two hundred pounds on books. A lot are available free.
Buy this book.

brilliant

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An excellent synopsis of philosophical ideas from antiquity to the mid-twentieth century. The relationship between philosophy and, variously, science, religion, politics and ethics is carefully analysed. It is interesting to compare Russell's predictions of how philosophy would develop to subsequent events in the second half of the twentieth century, and of what has passed in the current one.

Illuminating

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If you enjoy philosophy you will probably like this book, it stays interesting, is funny in parts and well read in my opinion, you may come away wiser or more confused as you probably won't find many answers here, but it is an interesting listen and may lead to other works that sit well with ones particular world view.

Wide coverage of ideas!

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I am studying Philosophy at the Open University and found this account very interesting. It gives the background, personal details of philosophers which makes it come alive and memorable. It was a long listen but well worth the effort and I might very well listen to it again.

Extensive well researched account of philosophy

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Expertly addresses editorial biases created by political and religious overlaps. So well narrated that you forget that you are not reading the book yourself. Makes for a useful reference book in the future.

A complex story superbly told.

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Bertrand Russell’s fantastic overview presented in Jonathan Keeble’s clear and engaging manner made this the perfect audio book to get an extensive overview, allowing me to decide which philosopher and philosophies I might want to delve deeper into. The closing chapter on Nietzsche was particularly beautiful.

I also think this is precisely what makes audible so perfect, this might have been a little too intimidating otherwise.

Perfect Overview

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This is a great look at the history of Western philosophy. Highly recommend to listen to this.

Thoroughly Interesting

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A great narrator. The book gave lots of insights into major contributions to philosophy in the last 2500 years from Western philosophers.

great

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