"A History of Western Philosophy remains unchallenged as the perfect introduction to its subject. Russell...writes with the kind of verve, freshness and personal engagement that lesser spirits would never have permitted themselves. This boldness, together with the astonishing breadth of his general historical knowledge, allows him to put philosophers into their social and cultural context... The result is exactly the kind of philosophy that most people would like to read, but which only Russell could possibly have written."
'Philosophy for Linguists: An Introduction' is an informative, easy-to-read introduction to linguistics within the sphere of philosophy. From Plato, through Frege and Russell, past Tarski and Davidson, addressing Austin, Ryle and Grice as well as taking time out to consider Whorf, Sapir, Saussure and Chomsky (amongst many others), Siobhan Chapman's book is a deceptive gem for the philosophy of language student or "interested reader" in the subject. It's deceptive because it's a sweet, modest but, above all, informative book (not quite what one would expect from a "philosophy of language" book) and manages to condense potentially hundreds of pages into a short, persuasive read. Unlike other publications, the information provided seeks not to elevate itself above its reader (thus confusing and confounding him or her with multi-syllable words only a lexicographer would be familiar with) but instead revels in being the reader's companion, explaining numerous concepts and ideas within five clearly-defined chapters (Words and things, Propositions and logic, Truth and reality, Speakers and hearers, Language and mind). The style and presentation of each of the chapters is non-threatening and easily accessible and even the involvement of arguably irrelevant and unrelated data, in the form of biographical information (for example did you know that Wittgenstein spent part of his time as a teacher and gardener?) is a welcome addition.
Added by: Maria | Karma: 3098.81 | Periodicals | 11 July 2008
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* Rewriting Darwin: The new non-genetic inheritance
The idea that children can inherit characteristics that their parents acquired during their lifetime is coming in from the cold
* The moonbots have landed
What will it take to persuade the moon to give up its secrets? Maybe a global space mission would do it, says Dana Mackenzie
* Can formula milk be made more like mum's?
Infant formula is a poor substitute for breast milk, but researchers want to add some of the missing ingredients that make a mother's milk so special
At Thermopylae, a rocky mountain pass in northern Greece, the feared
and admired Spartan soldiers stood three hundred strong. Theirs was a
suicide mission, to hold the pass against the invading millions of the
mighty Persian army.
Day after bloody day they withstood the
terrible onslaught, buying time for the Greeks to rally their forces.
Born into a cult of spiritual courage, physical endurance, and
unmatched battle skill, the Spartans would be remembered for the
greatest military stand in history--one that would not end until the
rocks were awash with blood, leaving only one gravely injured Spartan
squire to tell the tale....
Pressfield's descriptions of war are breathtaking in their immediacy.
They are also meticulously assembled out of physical detail and crisp,
uncluttered metaphor.
