The Encyclopedia of Philosophy

The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Paul Edwards and first published in 1967, consists of eight volumes covering major philosophical topics, thinkers, and movements throughout history. The work contains more than 900 entries written by over 500 scholars from around the world. Each article provides comprehensive coverage of its subject, with longer entries focusing on significant philosophers and philosophical concepts, while shorter entries address specific terms and lesser-known figures. The encyclopedia includes extensive bibliographies and cross-references to help readers explore topics in depth. The entries span from ancient Greek philosophy through the mid-20th century, covering Western and Eastern philosophical traditions, as well as specialized fields like logic, ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. Contributors include prominent philosophers such as W.V.O. Quine, Gilbert Ryle, and A.J. Ayer. This reference work represents a landmark effort to systematically document philosophical thought and remains influential in academic philosophy. Its comprehensive scope and scholarly rigor established new standards for philosophical encyclopedias, while maintaining accessibility for students and general readers.

Readers value this reference work's comprehensive coverage of philosophical topics and thinkers, with detailed articles written by subject matter experts. Many note its accessibility for both students and general readers while maintaining scholarly depth. Likes: - Clear explanations of complex concepts - Thorough bibliographies and citations - Balance between Western and non-Western philosophy - Quality of contributing scholars Dislikes: - Age of content (published 1967, with 1996 supplement) - Some dated social/cultural perspectives - Cost of complete multi-volume set - Physical size makes it cumbersome One reader on Amazon praised the "lucid writing style that makes difficult ideas understandable." A Goodreads reviewer noted that "unlike modern encyclopedias, the articles are long enough to properly develop ideas." Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (31 ratings) WorldCat: 4.3/5 (15 ratings)

The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy by Ted Honderich This reference work contains systematic articles on all aspects of philosophy with detailed coverage of both historical and contemporary philosophical topics.

The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy by Robert Audi This comprehensive dictionary presents technical terms, concepts, schools, and philosophers from both Western and Eastern philosophical traditions.

The Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Edward Craig This multi-volume work covers philosophical ideas from across cultures and time periods with contributions from international scholars and specialists.

A New History of Western Philosophy by Anthony Kenny This four-part chronicle traces philosophical thought from ancient Greece to the present with connections between historical periods and philosophical problems.

The Oxford Companion to Philosophy by Ted Honderich This reference book presents entries on philosophical concepts, arguments, problems, and philosophers with cross-references between related topics and themes.

🔸 The Encyclopedia of Philosophy (1967) was the first major English-language encyclopedia focused solely on philosophy since 1901, filling a significant gap in philosophical reference materials. 🔸 Editor-in-Chief Paul Edwards was a prominent moral philosopher who fled Nazi Germany as a teenager and later became known for his critical work on reincarnation and life-after-death claims. 🔸 The encyclopedia's publication required over 500 contributors from 24 countries and took nearly a decade to complete, resulting in eight volumes containing approximately 4,000 pages. 🔸 Despite being published in the 1960s, many of its entries remain highly respected and cited in contemporary philosophical work, particularly those written by major philosophers like W.V.O. Quine and A.J. Ayer. 🔸 The project was financially supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, which provided crucial funding to ensure the encyclopedia's comprehensive scope and high academic standards.