German Philosophers: Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche

by Roger Scruton, Michael Tanner, Peter Singer, et al.

Book Overview

German Philosophers contains studies of four of the most important German theorists: Kant, arguably the most influential modern philosopher; Hegel, whose philosophy inspired a vision of a communist society that for more than one hundred years enlivened revolutionary movements around the world; Schopenhauer, renowned for his pessimistic view that for human individual non-existence would be preferable; and Nietzsche, who has been appropriated as an...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0192854240
• ISBN13: 9780192854247
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: OUP UK
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.0" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Profound ideas from some profound thinkers

I was already familiar with these philosophers after taking a course in philosophy, but the way in which these authors eluciate the ideas of these thinkers makes this a five-star book. In order of their greatness I'd have to place Nietzsche first, Scophenhauer second, Kant third, and while Hegel was profound, his worship of history was a little too much for me to swallow, so I place him last.

The best of the hardest

These are highly admirable overviews by some of the best of the current set of the philsophers examining past greats. This must have been a difficult book to put together. The editors would have to have found not one, but four great authors from which to put together introductions for the hardest authors in all philosophy. He succeeded. This book makes immediately explaicable two of the hardest authors in all history- Kant and Hegel. I was amazed at the level of commentary in this short a work. It is almost impossible to pull this easy an introduction off. My hat is off to both Scruton and Singer. The other commentaries and introcductions were as good as they come. Because of the ease of Schoepenhaur and Nietzsche, the authors had more room to give reasonably complete explanations and ruminations on their lives. Janner and Tannaway both make superb additions to these traditions, both commentaries worthy of being works in themselves. This is four times a good book. My respect to all the authors, and my full throated call for people to read these books.

Simply outstanding

All of the philosophers covered in this volume are difficult to read. They are difficult to read for several reasons, including: 1) some of the translations of the primary texts are mediocre at best; 2)translations never truly capture the intent of the original texts; and 3) even in the original German the ideas are challenging and difficult. Because of these difficulties, this book, which provides incisive accounts of the German philosophers, is particularly useful to the English-speaking reader. Highly recommended.

A Great Book

This is a truly wonderful book. The reader can grasp what is being said in a relatively short time and spend the rest of his life thinking about it. I recommend it to newcomers in philosophy to get a good introduction to the some great philosophical thinking as well as to more seasoned practitioners so that they may learn how to explain things.

Breathtakingly beautiful book

Thsi book is the book I will be using to introduce a class to German philosophy. It is a superb text, and a good read on top of it.