Books in the Routledge Philosophy GuideBooks series

John Locke's "Second Treatise on Government" was one of the significant political statements of its time and provides the foundations of liberal political thought. In this text, his views on the social contract, political obligation, rebellion, revolution and property are documented.

This GuideBook introduces and assesses Hegel's influential work, Introduction to the Philosophy of History, explaining both key concepts and Hegel's continuing relevance to the historical debate. It is ideal for newcomers to Hegel.

This Routledge Philosophy GuideBook offers a clear introduction to Heidegger's notoriously difficult later thought, examining key later influential works concerning the nature of technology, art and thinking.

Gottlob Frege is considered the father of modern logic and one of the founding figures of analytic philosophy. This work introduces and assesses: Frege's life and the background to his philosophy; Frege's papers and arguments, including his distinction between sense and reference; the importance of Frege's work to philosophy of logic and language.

Jacques Derrida is one of the influential and controversial philosophers. This book introduces and assesses his life and the background to his philosophy, the key themes of the critique of metaphysics, language and ethics that characterize his works. It is aimed at philosophy or humanities students undertaking courses on Derrida.

Offers an examination of Nietzsche's significant thoughts on art, and covers key texts such as "The Birth of Tragedy", "Human, All Too Human" and "Thus Spoke Zarathustra".

Aristotle is one of the most important figures in Western thought and "Politics" contains some of our earliest ideas about democracy. This text on political theory and philosophy introduces and assesses: Aristotle's life and the background to "Politics"; the ideas and text of "Politics"; and, the importance of Aristotle's work to philosophy today.

Introduces students to "Critique of Judgment", accepted as the foundation of modern aesthetic theory. This book places this philosophical classic in its historical context and shows its relevance to major issues in contemporary aesthetics. It explores the themes of nature, fine art and morality found in the Critique.

Introduces and assesses Hegel, one of the most important figures in the history of ideas and political thought, and his Philosophy of Right, widely recognised as one of the greatest works of political philosophy.

Spinoza is a key figure in modern philosophy. The Ethics is his most studied and well known work Being both up-to-date and clear, this Guidebook is designed to lead the reader through this complex, seminal text.

Part of a series of introductions to classic works in philosophy, this text discusses the life and work of the 18th-century British philosopher David Hume. Providing a background to his work, it focuses on "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion", and explores Hume's continuiting importance.

Rousseau's "Social Contract" is one of the most famous books in political philosophy. This guide takes a thematic look at the text, discussing and examining ideas in the context of the time and their implications for future philosophical and political thought.

Introduces and assesses Berkeley's life and the background to the Principles, the ideas and text in the Principles, Berkeley's continuing importance to philosophy. Essential reading for students coming to Berkeley for the first time.

Plato is the most important philosopher in the history of Western philosophy. This guidebook introduces and examines his three dialogues that deal with the death of Socrates - Euthphryo, Apology and Crito.

This GuideBook introduces and assesses Hume's seminal, Treatise on Human Nature.

The "Monadology" is one of Leibniz's most famous works and one of the most important works of modern philosophy. This text introduces and assesses: Leibniz's life and the background to the "Monadology"; the ideas and text of the "Monadology"; and Leibniz's continuing importance to philosophy.

Presents an introduction to the "Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus", the only book Wittgenstein published during his lifetime. This title introduces and analyses the brief and sometimes cryptic text, including Wittgestein's life, the background to the "Tractatus", the ideas and the text, and the importance of Wittgenstein's work in philosophy.

A comprehensive introduction to Husserlian phenomenology. Smith introduces and assesses the key concepts that arise in the text in a clear and engaging way. A highly accessible introduction to the Cartesian Meditations.

Aristotle's 'Metaphysics' is one of the most important texts in ancient philosophy. This guide provides a thematic study. It assesses Aristotle's life, the background to the 'Metaphysics' and Aristotle's legacy, as well as discussing the arguments in the text.

Richard Rorty is one of the most influential, and controversial philosopher of the twentieth century. Assuming no prior knowledge of Rorty or his ideas, this work is a critical introduction for both undergraduates and postgraduates in philosophy, literary theory and cultural studies.

This GuideBook introduces and assesses Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, arguably the single most important work in western philosophy. It is ideal for newcomers to Kant's thought.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty is increasingly hailed as one of the key philosophers of the Twentieth century. This book introduces and assesses Merleau-Ponty's life and the background to his philosophy, the key themes and arguments of Phenomenology of Perception, and the continuing importance of Merleau-Ponty's work to philosophy.

Hume on Morality introduces and assesses *Hume's life and the background of the Treatise on Human Nature *The ideas and text in the Treatise *Hume's continuing importance to philosophy.