Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion: Eastern and Western Thought - Hardcover

William L. Reese

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0391038648 ISBN 13: 9780391038646

Publisher: Prometheus Books, 1996

Synopsis

First published in 1980, and now substantially revised and enlarged, this panoramic survey of philosophic and religious thought, both ancient and modern, provides access to a wide array of ideas. More than just a dictionary, this well-designed reference work contains analytical commentary and historical accounts on a vast range of topics, select bibliographies attached to many of the entries, and considerable cross-referencing. The cross-references run from philosophic movements, to technical terms, to the positions of individual philosophers, thus encouraging a personal exploration of the themes, movements, and thinkers of any particular school of thought. The end result is a reasonably compact single volume with many of the features of a multivolume encyclopedia.

Reese covers both analytic and Continental philosophy, and includes a good deal of the history of philosophy. There are biographical entries for more than 900 ancient, medieval, and modern philosophers, for a total number of entries of over 4000. This new edition expands on the original treatment of religion and Asian philosophy and includes enlarged perspectives on Continental philosophy.

Named "Outstanding Reference Work" by the American Library Association, the first edition was a Book-of-the-Month science pick and a selection of the Quality Paperback Book Club. Authoritative, comprehensive, clear, and interesting, The Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion will benefit the nonspecialist and specialist alike.

About this title

Review:

For thorough treatments of Ajivikas and the Apologists, the derivation and meaning of "angst" and "anthropopathism," and profiles of Apollo, Al-Kindi, and Antiochus of Ascalon, William Reese's Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion is the tome of preference. And it does a fine job with B through Z, as well. With more than 4,000 entries, the dictionary delves into Continental and Asian philosophies and religions, and provides biographies of more than 900 ancient, medieval, and modern philosophers. It's erudite, inclusive, accessible, and covers the major philosophers, gods, tenets, and terms of both the Eastern and Western worlds. --Stephanie Gold

From the Publisher:

Users of the DICTIONARY have described it as "an astonishing achievement," "a magnificent accomplishment," and "endlessly fascinating." It's been found to be "not only an invaluable reference work, but an extremely enjoyable bedside book for browsing through."

The first edition was Book-of-the-Month science pick, a selection of the Quality Paperback Book Club, and named "Outstanding Reference Work" by the American Library Association.

About this edition

• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0391038648
• ISBN 13: 9780391038646
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 856