![]() ![]() He never claims that these philosophies are unimportant. Thus, despite emphasising the fact that he is a western philosopher and at home in an academic world, he almost apologises for briefly describing the philosophies of China, India, Africa and the Islamic World. ![]() Grayling does, to be fair, try to be comprehensive. Indeed, the idea of history itself is a much contested philosophical field. Calling any book The History of Philosophy is a bold claim in a field where a definitive account is scarcely possible. One of them is concealed within the title. This does not mean it is without limitations. ![]() This book amply rewards a serious investment of time. Grayling has a deep respect for his material and patiently leads us through the workings of the human mind as it has rubbed up against some wonderful dilemmas, both real and imagined. It is not for those who may be seduced by the belief that the history of philosophy is a series of thought bubbles. This new book is for people who like to entertain ideas rather than be entertained by them. Those familiar with his biography of Descartes (2005), or The Age of Genius (2016), to choose only two titles from a long list, will appreciate Grayling’s ability to explore the interstices of an argument. ![]() Grayling tries to be comprehensive in his History of Philosophy. ![]()
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