The Problems of PhilosophyBertrand Russell was one of the greatest logicians since Aristotle, and one of the most important philosophers of the past two hundred years. As we approach the 125th anniversary of the Nobel laureate's birth, his works continue to spark debate, resounding with unmatched timeliness and power. The Problems of Philosophy, one of the most popular works in Russell's prolific collection of writings, has become core reading in philosophy. Clear and accessible, this little book is an intelligible and stimulating guide to those problems of philosophy which often mistakenly lead to its status as too lofty and abstruse for the lay mind. Focusing on problems he believes will provoke positive and constructive discussion, Russell concentrates on knowledge rather than metaphysics, steering the reader through his famous 1910 distinction between "knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description," and introducing important theories of Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Hume, Locke, Plato, and others to lay the foundation for philosophical inquiry by general readers and scholars alike. With a new introduction by John Perry, this valuable work is a perfect introduction to the field and will continue to stimulate philosophical discussion as it has done for nearly forty years. |
Contents
APPEARANCE AND REALITY | 7 |
THE EXISTENCE OF MATTER | 17 |
THE NATURE OF MATTER | 27 |
IDEALISM | 37 |
KNOWLEDGE BY ACQUAINTANCE AND KNOWLEDGE BY DESCRIPTION | 46 |
ON INDUCTION | 60 |
ON OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES | 70 |
HOW A PRIORI KNOWLEDGE IS POSSIBLE | 82 |
ON INTUITIVE KNOWLEDGE | 111 |
TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD | 119 |
KNOWLEDGE ERROR AND PROBABLE OPINION | 131 |
THE LIMITS OF PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE | 141 |
THE VALUE OF PHILOSOPHY | 153 |
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE | 162 |
SUGGESTED READING | 163 |
165 | |
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Common terms and phrases
answer appear argument become belief is true Berkeley Bertrand Russell Bismarck called certainty chapter coherence colour complex unity concerning connexion consider constituents corresponding deduced definite derivative knowledge Descartes Desdemona loves Cassio difficult doubt evidence example exist experience fact false G.E. Moore Hence ideas important inductive principle inference instance intuitive knowledge involved judge judgement Julius Caesar Kant kind knowledge by acquaintance knowledge by description knowledge of things knowledge of truths law of contradiction ledge Leibniz less matter means men are mortal mental mind mortal nature Nessie never Othello believes ourselves particular patch perceive person physical objects physical space possible premisses priori knowledge Problems of Philosophy properties proposition prove question real table reason regard relation Russell Russell's seems sensation sense-data so-and-so Socrates sort suppose theory theory of descriptions thought tion universals value of philosophy wave-motion whiteness whole word