An introduction to western philosophy oxford paperbacks by bryan magee and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The story of philosophy by brian magee 2001, paperback. Confessions of a philosopher by bryan magee kirkus. Books wagner and philosophy by bryan magee ralph blumenau devours bryan magees new book about wagner the philosophical composer in 1968 bryan magee published an influential little book called aspects of wagner now in an oup paperback and then, in 1983, a magisterial work, the philosophy of schopenhauer also now in an oup paperback. In this program, worldrenowned author and professor bryan magee and ronald dworkin, professor of jurisprudence at oxford, examine how the explosive issues of. This is a revised and enlarged version of bryan magees widely praised study of schopenhauer, the most comprehensive book on this great philosopher. Following an introduction to philosophy presented by magee in discussion with isaiah berlin, magee discussed topics like marxist philosophy, the.
Now updated and with a fresh new look, the highly successful the story of philosophy traces more than 2,500 years of western philosophy, from plato and aristotle in ancient greece to saint augustine and medieval philosophy, the golden century of german philosophy, bertrand russell and albert camus of the modern era, and much more. History of western philosophy professor bryan magee traces over 2 500. The philosophy of schopenhauer by bryan magee librarything. Bryan edgar magee is a noted british broadcasting personality, politician, poet, and author, best known as a popularizer of philosophy.
If youre coming to popper from scratch, this is probably as good an introduction as any. Like all bryan magees writing, this is beautifully clear. Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and. In 1978, magee presented for bbc television 15 dialogues with noted philosophers in a series called men of ideas. The transcripts of the series are available in the book, modern british philosophy. A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Philosophy is a subject that influences many aspects of our lives and our understanding of our experiences yet it can seem dauntingly inaccessible. But without his work, many of us would have grown up without any contact with philosophy at all and with no sense of how compelling it can be. Bryan magee born april 12, 1930, british anchor, writer. Magees 1998 book the story of thought also published as the story of philosophy would also cover the history of western philosophy.
Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. Bryan magees aspects of wagner, a slender volume of 102 pages, is an ideal place to begin if you want to learn what the fuss is about richard wagner. Bryan magee places the composers artistic development in the context of the philosophy of his age, and gives us the first detailed and comprehensive study of the close links between wagner and the philosophers from the premarxist socialists to feuerbach and schopenhauer. Magee is the carl sagan of philosophy, the great popularizer of the subject, and author of a major new introductory history, the story of philosophy. In 1978, bryan magee presented 15 dialogues with noted philosophers in a series called men of ideas. I also highly appreciate the fact that bryan magee, unlike many other authors that write on schopenhauer, is able to present the philosophy of schopenhauer without critiquing him every minute.
The chapters cover the greeks and their world, christianity and philosophy, the beginnings of modern science, the great rationalists, the great empiricists, revolutionary french thinkers, a golden century of german philosophy, democracy and philosophy, and 20th. Which books should i read first for a good introduction to. The story of philosophy by bryan magee, 1998, dk pub. Bryan magee has been a poet, academic, critic and mp.
Bryan magee has been one of the most successful englishlanguage popularisers of philosophy in the 20th century. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. The book s title and subtitle capture its two interrelated aims. In this infectiously exciting book, bryan magee tells the story of his own discovery of philosophy and not only makes it come alive but shows its relevance to daily life. Find the story of philosophy by magee, bryan at biblio. He came up to oxford in 1949, a particular postwar moment when the universitys unofficial monopoly in the production of trademarkrulingelite seems to have been a little overstretched, as magee found he had to take up several careers almost at once. Beginning with the death of socrates in 399 bc, and following the strand of philosophical inquiry through the centuries to recent figures such as bertrand russell and wittgenstein, bryan magees conversations with fifteen contemporary writers and philosophers provide an accessible and exciting account of western philosophy and its greatest thinkers. Magees most important influence on society remains his efforts to make philosophy accessible to the layman. It is an excellent introduction to philosophy and philosophers, starting with the great greek thinkers such as socrates and plato through to modern 20th. Review of bryan magees, ultimate questions reason and. Following a short biographical introduction, magee comprehensively analyzes schopenhauers philosophical system, critically examines a number of its problematic aspects, and explores the broad and unique influence it has had on philosophers, scientists, and artists. An introduction to western philosophy, bryan magee beginning with the death of socrates in 399 bc, and following the strand of philosophical inquiry through the centuries to recent figures such as bertrand russell and wittgenstein, bryan magees conversations with fifteen contemporary writers and philosophers provide an accessible and exciting account of western. I always like to avoid the traditional philosophy books for people who are starting to show interest on the subject, but i cant avoid the cliche completely. Introduction to western philosophy, bryan magee eds.
Philosophy populariser bryan magee has come up with what can best be described as a philosophy for dummies book. This book is based on a bbc tv series which was presented as a discussion between the author and one of. He held a fellowship in philosophy at yale until 1956 when he became an independent writer in philosophy at balliol college, oxford. Aristotle a dialogue with bryan magee by martha nussbaum. Bryan magees the philosophy of schopenhauer is the definitive study of arthur schopenhauer. The great philosophers bryan magee oxford university press. Worldrenowned philosopher and professor bryan magee expertly. An introduction to western philosophy, talking philosophy. Bryan magee is a brilliant writer too and manages to present the history of philosophy and key philosophical topics in a very comprehensive manner. Illustrated with photographs of the twentiethcentury philosophers at the time of the interviews, and portraits of the philosophers discussed.
Bryan magee books list of books by author bryan magee. If i hadnt have read nigel warburtons philosophythe classics before i tackled this book i wouldnt have had a clue about most of what bryan magee and his academic friends were. Wagner was one of the few major composers who studied philosophy seriously. Except in the area of political theory, magee is perhaps not sufficiently critical of popper. Bryan magees introduction to western philosophy is a brilliant analysis of the works of the most important western philosophers from plato to bertrand russell. Books ultimate questions by bryan magee grant sterling asks some immediate questions about ultimate questions bryan magees ultimate questions 2016 is a thoughtprovoking and interesting book with some strong passages, but in the end we still have many questions, and fewer answers magee apparently wishes to be known as the great agnostic philosopher. See all books authored by bryan magee, including the story of philosophy, and the story of thought. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. But the former cockney boy who brought philosophy to television just wants to keep writing. London bryan magee, a philosopher, writer and broadcaster who sought to bring philosophy to a mass audience in britain through radio and.
It contains a brief biography of schopenhauer, a systematic exposition of his thought, and a critical discussion of the problems to which it gives rise and of its influence on a wide range of thinkers and artists. The great philosophers an introduction to western philosophy bryan magee. Martha nussbaum, aristotle a dialogue with bryan magee, in the great philsophers. The book brings together text and artwork to present philosophical ideas and philosophers in an approachable manner. Brian magee provides an admiral introduction to the major trends and personages in the history of that which we are pleased to call western philosophy. Bryan magee beginning with the death of socrates in 399 bc, and following the strand of philosophical inquiry through the centuries to recent figures such as bertrand russell and wittgenstein, bryan magees conversations with fifteen contemporary writers and philosophers provide an accessible and exciting account of western philosophy and its. Additional note because of the large quantity of her publications and contractual issues, professor nussbaum has posted citations in chicago unbound, rather than fulltext. Yathis gloriously illustrated and accessible book enables readers to embark on an adventure in philosophy. The philosophy of schopenhauer first published in 1983, substantially revised and extended, 1997. The story of philosophy, bryan magee covering every major philosopher from plato to popper, via saint augustine locke and nietzsche, explore these great thinkers in their historical context and learn the influences that shaped their lives and work.
Bryan magee 1930 2019 has had a multifaceted career as a professor of philosophy, music and theater critic, bbc broadcaster, public intellectual and member of parliament. Unrivalled in its clarity and insight the story of philosophy guides us expertly through the history of ideas and thinking. Magee keeps his criticism for the end of his book, and is able to properly present the philosophers thoughts without sounding biased. Dialogues with fifteen leading philosophers, and confessions of a philosopher.
Magee was a writer, broadcaster and politician without a major original philosophical book to his name. Philosophy and politics with bryan magee 1977 youtube. Starting from the earliest greek philosophy right up to the present day although current philosophers are not considered given their, as yet, unknown claims to fame, to be decided by future generations. He has starred in two acclaimed television series about philosophy. So, you get very conversational, but still substantive explanations on the big names in western philosophy.
The last interview with bryan magee prospect magazine. If you need help getting through an intro philosophy class or simply want to know more about western philosophy this is the book for you. An introduction to western philosophy 9780192893222 by magee, bryan and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at. This book is based on a bbc tv series which was presented as a discussion between the author and one of the leading authorities on every philosopher. Bryan magee has compiled a wonderful book on both the history and the actual tenets of philosophy throughout, mostly, the western world. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. He has taught philosophy at oxford university, and written numerous other books on the subject, including the great philosophers. A british popularizer of philosophy, magee coauthor, on blindness, 1995, etc. Bryan magee, who died last month, had a career of intimidating sweep.
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