Publisher's Synopsis
This is Volume 3 of the most comprehensive anthology of writings in Western philosophy in print. It assembles the classic essays of Western philosophy of the twentieth century which have given shape and value to its character and structure. From logical Positivism, American Pragmatism, and Ordinary Language Philosophy to Continental Philosophy, the selections have been chosen because they are creative, controversial, and typically fascinating. Fifty four selections of thirty nine authors are included, featuring the work of McTaggart, Moore, Russell, Wittgenstein, Carnap. Quine, Ayer, Kipke, Harrison, Gettier, Goldman, Strawson, Ryle, Dennett, Davidson, Putnam, Nagel, Serle, Nozick, Rawls, Hussert, Heidegger, Sartre, Foucault, Derrida, Rourty, and Habermas. Also featured are seminal works in the philosophy of mind, free will/determinism, the debate over religious truth, and political and moral philosophy while the emphasis of the earlier volumes on epistemological and metaphysical issues continues. This is a collection which students and intelligent lay people can use without needing advanced technical ability in logic or semantics. The volume opens with a general essay by the editor on philosophy in the twentieth century; a biographical sketch accompanies each author; and each selection includes by an abstract and short bibliography.
