Western Philosophy

Each volume in this outstanding series provides an authoritative and comprehensive collection of the essential primary readings from philosophy’s main fields of study. Designed to complement the Blackwell Companions to Philosophy series, each volume represents an unparalleled resource in its own right, and will provide the ideal platform for course use.

1 Cottingham: Western Philosophy: An Anthology (third edition)

2 Cahoone: From Modernism to Postmodernism: An Anthology (expanded second edition)

3 LaFollette: Ethics in Practice: An Anthology (third edition)

4 Goodin and Pettit: Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Anthology (second edition)

5 Eze: African Philosophy: An Anthology

6 McNeill and Feldman: Continental Philosophy: An Anthology

7 Kim and Sosa: Metaphysics: An Anthology

8 Lycan and Prinz: Mind and Cognition: An Anthology (third edition)

9 Kuhse and Singer: Bioethics: An Anthology (second edition)

10 Cummins and Cummins: Minds, Brains, and Computers – The Foundations of Cognitive Science: An Anthology

11 Sosa, Kim, Fantl, and McGrath: Epistemology: An Anthology (second edition)

12 Kearney and Rasmussen: Continental Aesthetics – Romanticism to Postmodernism: An Anthology

13 Martinich and Sosa: Analytic Philosophy: An Anthology

14 Jacquette: Philosophy of Logic: An Anthology

15 Jacquette: Philosophy of Mathematics: An Anthology

16 Harris, Pratt, and Waters: American Philosophies: An Anthology

17 Emmanuel and Goold: Modern Philosophy – From Descartes to Nietzsche: An Anthology

18 Scharff and Dusek: Philosophy of Technology – The Technological Condition: An Anthology

19 Light and Rolston: Environmental Ethics: An Anthology

20 Taliaferro and Griffiths: Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology

21 Lamarque and Olsen: Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art – The Analytic Tradition: An Anthology

22 John and Lopes: Philosophy of Literature – Contemporary and Classic Readings: An Anthology

23 Cudd and Andreasen: Feminist Theory: A Philosophical Anthology

24 Carroll and Choi: Philosophy of Film and Motion Pictures: An Anthology

25 Lange: Philosophy of Science: An Anthology

26 Shafer-Landau and Cuneo: Foundations of Ethics: An Anthology

27 Curren: Philosophy of Education: An Anthology

28 Shafer-Landau: Ethical Theory: An Anthology

29 Cahn and Meskin: Aesthetics: A Comprehensive Anthology

Third edition

Edited by

John Cottingham

Editorial material and organization © 1996, 2008, 2020 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd

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First edition published 1996 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd Second edition published 2008 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd Third edition 2021

12 2015

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Cottingham, John, 1943- editor.

Title: Western philosophy : an anthology / Edited by John G Cottingham.

Description: Third edition. | Malden, MA : Blackwell Publishing, [2021] | Series: Blackwell philosophy anthologies | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2020040690 (print) | LCCN 2020040691 (ebook) | ISBN 9781119165729 (paperback) | ISBN 9781119165736 (pdf) | ISBN 9781119165743 (epub) | ISBN 9781119165750 (ebook other) Subjects: LCSH: Philosophy--Introductions. Classification: LCC BD21 .W43 2021 (print) | LCC BD21 (ebook) | DDC 190-dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020040690

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020040691

A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

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‘It is difficult to imagine how this volume could be improved upon as the very best historically based anthology of the essential philosophical writings. Cottingham’s commentary and introductions are extremely clear and helpful. It will provide an ideal text for an excellent introductory course in philosophy’. Christopher Hookway, University of Sheffield

‘This volume is a superb resource for beginning students and their teachers. Not only is it an excellent anthology – a comprehensive, well-chosen, well-edited collection of classic texts, from Plato to Sartre, Aristotle to Rawls – it is also a perspicuous systematic presentation of the subject, owing to the editor’s skilful provision of introductory material and notes. Judiciously annotated lists of supplementary readings further enhance the value of this outstanding volume.’ Vere Chappell, University of Massachusetts

‘In this anthology the highly respected philosopher John Cottingham has assembled 100 classic selections from Plato to Parfit. Done with care and considerable expertise the result is arguably the best single-volume introduction to the writings of Western philosophy.’ John Haldane, University of St Andrews

‘A truly outstanding collection. An excellent course book which doubles as a solid reference volume. The clarity of the commentary makes these classic readings vivid and accessible to students.’ George Graham, University of Alabama

‘By providing the means to appreciate philosophy as the great historical odyssey of the human intellect, this ambitious anthology makes philosophy come alive for students and general readers alike.’ David Cooper, University of Durham