The Dream of Reason: A History of Philosophy from the Greeks to the Renaissance

by Anthony Gottlieb

Book Overview

Already a classic in its first year of publication, this landmark study of Western thought takes a fresh look at the writings of the great thinkers of classic philosophy and questions many pieces of conventional wisdom. The book invites comparison with Bertrand Russell's monumental History of Western Philosophy, "but Gottlieb's book is less idiosyncratic and based on more recent scholarship" (Colin McGinn, Los Angeles Times). A New York Times Notable...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393049515
• ISBN13: 9780393049510
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 468 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Why this book is a collectors item

Quite simply, amongst the best books I have read. Gottlieb is a good book to read if you have just read Will Durant's story of Philosophy. Its the book you would read once you have a broad idea of the various philosophies and their timelines, and are now ready to step into the story of the men behind it. It is the book you would read before you start reading Plato's Republic... or dialogues. The story begins with the Greeks and shows us what each person behind the philosophy was, it speaks of the love Plato had for Aristotle, the greatness of Pythagoras, the cynics, the epicureans... and just about every other greek school of thought that existed, from there on - it briskly moves to philosphical schools and thoughts at the time of the renaissance.It is a book I have bought, and it proudly adorns my shelves along with other classics. Go ahead and buy it now, before it becomes 'out of print' ...

Smart, Accessible History of Philosophy

Gottlieb is a sharp, smart writer who has done a great job of packaging a big-picture history of philosophy for the general reader. His voice is chatty and personal; this is like getting the story of civilzation from your Uncle Ed on the back porch.How can you not love a book that includes lines like: "There is no denying that philosophers' attempts to think clearly have often rudely backfired. (Any subject that is responsible for producing Heidegger, for example, owes the world an apology)." Gottlieb puts philosophy back into the study of the world, pointing out that philosophy gets a bad rap in part because as soon as a philospoher discovers something useful, such as planetary movement, he's reclassified a scientist.This gives a great overview of some lesser-known philophers and provides a nice, clear picture of better-known thinkers such as Socrates and Plato. He's refreshingly clear of cant and doesn't appear to be intent on selling any particular school or point of view. This is great teaching in book form-- clear, understandable, and direct. This is a great introduction to philosophy up to the Renaissance, and for those who are already familiar with the territory, it's a great work for putting everyone into place in the bigger picture. Highly recommended.

Highly readable survey of philosophy

In the "Dream of Reason," Gottlieb tells the story of philosophy from its origins through the Renaissance in a warm, entertaining and cogent way. This book is a wonderful read. I have always wanted to understand the broad sweep of philosophy, but have found the books that try to provide this information to dense and unreadable. I have to admit I never made it through Bertrand Russell's famous "History of Western Philosophy." Finally, there is book that is both entertaining and informative. In Gottlieb's book I never felt like I was "getting stuck" in minutiae. Clearly, the challenge for Gottlieb was deciding what to leave out, and while I am by no means an expert, from the areas I do know well I found his focus fair and informative. This book is a treat.

A strong survey of great thinkers and their works of wisdom

This history of philosophy from Greek to Renaissance times provides a strong survey of the great thinkers and their works of wisdom, with chapters using examples, anecdotes and source materials to provide a history of the human quest for meaning. The wide-ranging scope of examination makes for a lively yet in-depth coverage recommended for college-level libraries.

Gottlieb Clears Up Muddied, & Muddled, Waters

Anthony Gottlieb is an 'amateur' philosopher in the best sense of the word: a person who engages in an activity, pursuit, study, or science for pleasure rather than for financial benefit, as an avocation rather than as a profession. Gottlieb, author of THE DREAM OF REASON, is the executive editor of THE ECONOMIST. He studied philosophy at Cambridge University and University College, London, and has been a Visiting Professor at Harvard University. He writes regularly on philosophy for the NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW. Writing with zestful wit and wisdom, the author of this marvelous history of Western philosophy caused me to chuckle and laugh out loud at his humorous insights into the bizarre behavior and believes of many philosophers. I suspected that this book would be different when I read in the Introduction, 'Any subject [philosophy] that is responsible for producing [Martin] Heidegger owes the world an apology.' The book, howver is not amateurish in the sense of being unskilled, inept, or incompetent. Gottlieb has an amazing grasp not only of philosophy and philosophers but also of modern science. He brings clarity to muddled, and muddled, waters. He opens the windows of a musty room and lets in fresh air. THE DREAM OF REASON has three main divisions: (1) The Pre-Socratics; (2) Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; and (3) From Aristotle to the Renaissance (with emphasis on the Epicureans, the Stoics, and the Skeptics). Gottlieb makes short shrift of the Middle Ages, giving a thousand years less than 100 pages. He writes provocatively: 'Philosophy in the West remained more or less the slave of Christianity for about a millennium. From the perspective of modern thought, it is tempting to see that lengthy interlude in terms of the tale of Sleeping Beauty. Having pricked its finger on Christian theology, philosophy fell asleep for about a thousand years until awakened by the kiss of Descartes.' Gottlieb promises a second volume: From Rene Descartes ('the father of modern philosophy' to the present time. I eagerly await its publication. THE DREAM OF REASON is Exhibit #1 in evidence that a philosophical work need not be dour, dry, and dull, but instead can be a delightful reading experience. I recommend this book highly.Also recommended: FREUD: DARKNESS IN THE MIDST OF VISION, by Louis Breger.