Books in the Cambridge Companions to Philosophy series

Simone de Beauvoir was a philosopher and writer of notable range and influence whose work is central to feminist theory, French existentialism, and contemporary moral and social philosophy. The essays in this 2003 volume examine all the major aspects of her thought.

Friedrich Nietzsche was quite simply one of the most influential of modern thinkers. New readers and non-specialists will find this the most convenient, accessible guide to Nietzsche currently available. Advanced students will find a conspectus of recent developments in the interpretation of Nietzsche. This book was first published in 1996.

One of the most comprehensive and up-to-date surveys of the philosophy of Sartre, by some of the foremost interpreters in the United States and Europe.

This Companion probes the depth of Kierkegaard's thought to reveal its distinctive subtlety. Topics covered include Kierkegaard's views on art and religion, ethics and psychology, theology and politics, knowledge and virtue.

What is freedom? What is equality? What is sovereignty? Few texts have offered more influential answers to these questions than Rousseau's Social Contract, and in this new Cambridge Companion, a multidisciplinary team of contributors provide new ways to navigate a masterpiece of political philosophy- and its animating questions.

What is freedom? What is equality? What is sovereignty? Few texts have offered more influential answers to these questions than Rousseau's Social Contract, and in this new Cambridge Companion, a multidisciplinary team of contributors provide new ways to navigate a masterpiece of political philosophy- and its animating questions.

A welcome resource for a new generation of readers studying Aquinas, this entirely new Companion explores his philosophical thought in relation to the worldview he inherited, developed, altered, and argued for. To contemporary philosophers, the book reveals the strong connections between Aquinas's interests and views and their own.

A welcome resource for a new generation of readers studying Aquinas, this entirely new Companion explores his philosophical thought in relation to the worldview he inherited, developed, altered, and argued for. To contemporary philosophers, the book reveals the strong connections between Aquinas's interests and views and their own.

The chapters in this volume cover the full range of Plato's interests, including ethics, political philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics, aesthetics, religion, mathematics, and psychology. The introduction provides general guidance to approaching Plato's corpus and the chapters introduce key ideas and scholarly debates.

The chapters in this volume cover the full range of Plato's interests, including ethics, political philosophy, epistemology, metaphysics, aesthetics, religion, mathematics, and psychology. The introduction provides general guidance to approaching Plato's corpus and the chapters introduce key ideas and scholarly debates.

Classical studies, Ancient philosophy, Classical philosophy

Like no other volume available, this Companion offers broad, interdisciplinary analyses of the theory and practice of civil disobedience, long a crucial type of protest politics. Including contributions from a politically and intellectually diverse range of experts, the volume demonstrates the continuing relevance of civil disobedience today.

Like no other volume available, this Companion offers broad, interdisciplinary analyses of the theory and practice of civil disobedience, long a crucial type of protest politics. Including contributions from a politically and intellectually diverse range of experts, the volume demonstrates the continuing relevance of civil disobedience today.

Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900-2002) is widely recognized as the leading exponent of philosophical hermeneutics. This revised edition includes several new chapters on Gadamer's work, as well as updated chapters from the first edition and the most comprehensive bibliography of works by and about Gadamer available in the English language.

Hans-Georg Gadamer (1900-2002) is widely recognized as the leading exponent of philosophical hermeneutics. This revised edition includes several new chapters on Gadamer's work, as well as updated chapters from the first edition and the most comprehensive bibliography of works by and about Gadamer available in the English language.

Classical studies, Ancient philosophy, Classical philosophy

This Companion provides a systematic introductory overview of Richard Rorty's philosophy. With chapters from an interdisciplinary group of leading scholars, the volume addresses virtually every aspect of his thought. It will be invaluable to anyone interested in Richard Rorty and his exciting brand of neopragmatism.

This Companion provides a systematic introductory overview of Richard Rorty's philosophy. With chapters from an interdisciplinary group of leading scholars, the volume addresses virtually every aspect of his thought. It will be invaluable to anyone interested in Richard Rorty and his exciting brand of neopragmatism.

This Companion offers a comprehensive exploration of the historical development and philosophical importance of common-sense philosophy. It will prove an essential guide for students and scholars hoping to gain a greater understanding of the history - and enduring appeal - of using common sense to navigate complex philosophical problems.

This Companion offers a comprehensive exploration of the historical development and philosophical importance of common-sense philosophy. It will prove an essential guide for students and scholars hoping to gain a greater understanding of the history - and enduring appeal - of using common sense to navigate complex philosophical problems.

John Dewey (1859-1952) was a major figure of the American cultural and intellectual landscape in the first half of the twentieth century. The contributors to this Companion examine the wide range of Dewey's thought and provide a critical evaluation of his philosophy and its lasting influence.

This 2001 volume systematically surveys the full range of Rousseau's activities in politics and education, psychology, anthropology, religion, music and theater. New readers will find this an accessible guide to Rousseau, while advanced students and specialists will find a conspectus of recent developments in the interpretation of the French thinker.

In defending immaterialism, George Berkeley redirected modern thinking about the nature of objectivity and the mind's capacity to come to terms with it. This Companion examines Berkeley's achievements and contributions to moral and political philosophy, his writings on economics and development, and his defense of religious commitment and life.

This companion volume contains twelve essays by leading scholars on the life, thought, and influence of one of Judaism's greatest thinkers: Moses Maimonides (1138-1204). Philosopher, Rabbi, Bible commentator, physician, Talmudic expositor and social commentator, Maimonides wrote on subjects that touch every aspect of life.

The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin is universally recognised as one of the most important science books ever written. The Origin of Species is also a work of great cultural and religious significance, in that Darwin maintained that all organisms, including humans, are part of a natural process of growth from simple forms. This Companion commemorates the 150th anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species and examines its main arguments. Drawing on the expertise of leading authorities in the field, it also provides the contexts - religious, social, political, literary, and philosophical - in which the Origin was composed. Written in a clear and friendly yet authoritative manner, this volume will be essential reading for both scholars and students. More broadly, it will appeal to general readers who want to learn more about one of the most important and controversial books of modern times.

The Cambridge Companion to Socrates is a collection of essays providing a comprehensive guide to Socrates, the most famous Greek philosopher. Because Socrates himself wrote nothing, our evidence comes from the writings of his friends (above all Plato), his enemies, and later writers. Socrates is thus a literary figure as well as a historical person. Both aspects of Socrates' legacy are covered in this volume. Socrates' character is full of paradox, and so are his philosophical views. These paradoxes have led to deep differences in scholars' interpretations of Socrates and his thought. Mirroring this wide range of thought about Socrates, this volume's contributors are unusually diverse in their background and perspective. The essays in this volume were authored by classical philologists, philosophers and historians from Germany, Francophone Canada, Britain and the United States, and they represent a range of interpretive and philosophical traditions.