ABSTRACT

This is a comprehensive introduction to the history of Western Philosophy from the Pre-Socratics to Twentieth Century thought. In addition to all the key figures, the book covers figures whose contributions have so far been overlooked, such as Vico, Montesquieu, Durkheim and Weber.
Along with in-depth discussion of the philosophical movements, Skirbekk and Gilje also discuss the natural sciences, the establishment of the Humanities, Socialism and Fascism, Psychoanalysis, and the rise of the social sciences.
History of Western Thought is an ideal introduction to philosophy and the sociological and scientific structures that have shaped modern day philosophy.

chapter |4 pages

Introduction

chapter chapter 2|14 pages

The Sophists and Socrates

chapter Chapter 3|20 pages

Plato — the theory of ideas and the ideal state

chapter chapter 5|20 pages

The late classical period

chapter chapter 6|42 pages

The middle Ages

chapter chapter 7|23 pages

The rise of the natural sciences

chapter chapter 9|13 pages

Doubt and belief — man in the centre

chapter chapter 10|9 pages

Rationalism as a system

chapter chapter 11|13 pages

The Sophists and Socrates

chapter chapter 12|17 pages

Empiricism and critique of knowledge

chapter chapter 13|21 pages

The Enlightenment — reason and progress

chapter chapter 14|10 pages

Utilitarianism and li beralism

chapter chapter 15|20 pages

Kant — ‘the Copernican revolution' in philosophy

chapter chapter 16|13 pages

The rise of the humanities

chapter chapter 17|14 pages

Hegel — history and dialectics

chapter chapter 18|16 pages

Marx — productive forces and class struggle

chapter |10 pages

Kierkegaard — existence and irony

chapter Chapter 20|7 pages

Darwin — the debate about our conception of man

chapter Chapter 21|11 pages

Nietzsche and pragmatism

chapter charter 22|12 pages

Socialism and fascism

chapter chapter 23|14 pages

Freud and psychoanalysis

chapter chapter 24|21 pages

The Enlightenment — reason and progress

chapter chapter 26|29 pages

A glance at contemporary philosophy

chapter Chapter 27|19 pages

Modernity and crisis