The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy (Penguin Reference)

Is (German) 'Geist' a 'mass noun'? Yes, for the world-spirit is without plural. No, for there are many languages naming it. An 'insolubile'?If we use English to translate the German, we can say 'Geist' is mind, but 'Geister' – the plural as in Kant's title on the '...Geisterseher...' or Spirits-Seer (Swedenborg) – stands for ghosts leaving (English) 'spirit' – more mental than the German equivalent.Other occurrences of 'paradox' are found in articles on antinomy ('near-synonym' to 'paradox'), on Jean-Paul Sartre ('playful paradox').What is philosophy? is itself a philosophical question, and this 'autological' quality is shared by both, philosophy and language. But philosophy is less important than its practice, doing philosophy, or philosophizing. Judged by how close a wordbook brings us to this activity Dictionary of Philosophy, edited by Thomas Mautner (second edition, 2005; formerly 'The Blackwell Dictionary of Philosophy', 1996; 'The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy', 1997) is the most philosophical currently available. It is also still the most comprehensive single volume small format manual on the subject in English.Dictionary of Philosophy is excellent on relativism, on logic ('iff'), often on cross-language comparisons ('right'; 'apperception'), as well as on the classical languages ('predicables'; 'rhetoric'), and on semantic change over time. It includes multiple tables and figures. Let me tell you, this handy book has a wealth of epiphanic experience(s) in store, an abundance of detail and literature on 664 + xxiv pages, small print.I would situate it in humanities philosophy (cf. also: 'antihumanism') as distinguished from philosophy understood as (a) social (meta-)science. This includes a good amount of language criticism – e. g. '-ism, -ist'; 'philosophy of...'.Dictionary of Philosophy is a five star enterprise. I'd purchase a new edition – (Edwards's) Encyclopedia of Philosophy got one.Gosh, that 'perennial intellectual magnetism' (William Gerber) – of words!

Basically in Philosophy, everything is nearly to one's own taste. For example, if I were to show you a Red-like color Apple and ask you what color it is specifically, many could not agree to the hue or contrast of the color Red itself. A person would state that the Apple is of Crimson Red while another one would say it's of a Burgundy color. Therefore, this book of itself only covers a specific amount of "Philosophy" that is of Western origin.My biggest gripe was that this dictionary -- being ~688 pages, would cover all the fundamentals, i.e. vocab, short but concise explanations of origins and history, only covers that is the most complex or at least the least used words in Philosophy itself. Don't get me wrong, this book covers the needed terms related to Western Philosophy but it lacks the Dharma of the Eastern Philosophy, i.e. words that are more specific to the plight of the Human Condition.For example, the Eastern Philosophical word Karma is not an entry, nor is the word The Tao (Dao) or even the Tao (Dao) Te Ching which is essential for a aspiring Philosopher to get a rounded understanding of what Philosophy really is -- both the Existentialism and the Inner-elements (Kneosis for the lack of term)that make an individual whole by allowing all perspectives of ideas -- Eastern and Western.3 out of 5 for only covering Western Philosophical ideals. Would have given 5 of 5 if it included Eastern Philosophical ideas as well.

I have the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy and it is falls seriously short of what the Penguin contains. If you get one dictionary for Philosophy, I recommend the Penguin.

Without a doubt the handiest book for a student of philosophy.

A nice addition to three other such dictionaries. Definitions that I have reviewed so far seem good and accessible. I particularly like the items that allow living philosophers to describe their own projects.

I own three dictionaries of philosophy, but the Penguin Reference Dictionary of Philosophy has become my go-to guide. Its extensive entries are neither simplistic nor overbearing for the non-professional interested in topical summaries concerning individuals, systems, and terms commonly encountered in the study of philosophy. Highly recommended.

very helpful.good price

Helps me to read and understand philosophical words and statements.

This really is a great resource for almost any given term or philosopher you can think of.It is set out like a normal word dictionary but with more detail given to each term, subject, or philosopher.Some definitions range from a few paragraphs, and others cover a few pages. It's all done in concise, detailed, bite-size chunks, that are perfect for quick consumption.It's a great value philosophy book, that isn't short on details / definitions, so I really can't recommend it enough.

For a student of Philosophy the definitions found herein are of fundamental excellence to the cross referencing of central a priori themes of one argument to another.

Good

Fantastic read, covers the entire A-Z of all things Philosophical. Great aid and easy reading. Would definitely recommend this book.

1. Delivery was on time.2. The package was fine.3. Paper quality: 3 out of 5.4. Print Quality: 3 out of 5.5. Interesting appendix and tables and lists of facts are the things I expected but they miss. None at all.6. The dictionary is good nonetheless.7. August 2020 stock.