Nearly forty years since its first publication, this book remains unchallenged as the ultimate introduction to its subject, while claiming classic status in its own right.
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Bertrand Russell’s ‘The History of Western Philosophy’ is an admirably clear and accessible introduction to the subject. It is a hefty 842 pages long. It was first published in 1946 and remains a vital resource for those embarking on a study of philosophy. My well-thumbed copy has served me well for four years now and has become almost a friend to me, albeit a friend whose faults are there for all to see.
Russell belonged to the golden age of modern English philosophy, centred around Oxford University, that also threw up such famous figures as Wittgenstein and A. J. Ayer. He belonged to a school of thought that believed that the best method for tackling philosophical questions was the scientific method, and particularly, logic. This ‘logical positivism’ is still hugely influential, especially in English and American thought. However fashions are changing and more esoteric continental schools of thought; notably existentialism and phenomenology are gaining currency in the academic world.
The most obvious fault with this book is that because of the time and the context in which it was written such important figures as Husserl, Satre and more importantly Heidegger are not mentioned. While no fault for this can be attributed to the author it does lead to questions as to the contemporary value of this book as a ‘history of western philosophy’ and means that it can no longer stand alone as a textbook.
Another inherent problem with the work is that Russell’s knowledge and interpretation of the philosophers he covers is highly variable. If we adhere to the common view that modern philosophy dates from Descartes, fully two thirds of this book is taken up with pre-Cartesian or pre-modern philosophy.
It is here that Russell is most comfortable and also most useful. His chapters on the Greeks are an absolute delight, representing a knowledge and engagement with the classical world, which is entirely a product of the Victorian public school system and as such is very rare today. On modern philosophy he is less engaging and, as we have seen, often selective as to whom he writes about.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anybody studying philosophy or interested in the history of the development of ideas up to the twentieth century. Despite its faults it remains a fantastic resource, and an invaluable source of quotations and ideas.
PP842 ISBN 0415-22854-9
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