The Problems of Philosophy (edit title)

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Liked It Rated 4 stars “A facinating and thought provoking (as one would hope) introduction to the fundamental issues in philosophy; issues that philosophers and schools have attempted to answer to some degree of satisfaction.” see full review » see other reviews »

Didn’t Like It Rated 1 stars “I hate being defeated by a book. (Being Defeated: deciding to stop reading a book before it's been completed.) I particularly hate being defeated by THIS book, which states on the back cover: "Clear and accessible, this little book is an intelligible and stimulating guide to those...” see full review » see other reviews »

Newest Reviews

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  • Rated 4 stars

  “A facinating and thought provoking (as one would hope) introduction to the fundamental issues in philosophy; issues that philosophers and schools have attempted to answer to some degree of satisfaction.”

  Brendan S wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 1 stars

  “I hate being defeated by a book. (Being Defeated: deciding to stop reading a book before it's been completed.) I particularly hate being defeated by THIS book, which states on the back cover:
  
  "Clear and accessible, this little book is an intelligible and stimulating guide to those problems of philosophy which often mistakenly make the subject seem too lofty and abstruse for the lay mind."
  
  And from the NYT: "Treats its subject in a way that will arouse the interest of any one who has any latent ability to become interested in it."
  
  Oh I have the interest! In spades! And I surely thought I had the ability and a decently average 'lay mind'. What an ego flattening I took. This book is VERY abstruse, NOT stimulating. In fact quite boring. Russell seems to enjoy writing in a style designed to both confuse and bore.
  
  I'm on chapter 6 of 13 and I can honestly say I have learned very little of any consequence while suffering Russell's inane writing style that never ceases...
  
  I am stubborn though, and will give the author 2 more chapters to change my mind. Why this book is recommended as a good one for beginners is beyond me.
  
  Either way, I'll have to look elsewhere for a good 'beginners book' to philosophy, as this one is neither good nor for beginners.”

  Stephen S wrote this review Monday, September 22 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No