The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts that Shaped Our World

Sproule gives a luminous description of the contributions of every major philosopher in chronological order. I am familiar with the history of philosophy, but I still leaned some things and got some clarity from this book. A second volume on Catholic philosophy is also included.

Sproul's style is consistently thoughtful and concise--and occasionally humorous. As a high level fly-over of the history of philosophy and the great questions philosophers have attempted to answer, the book was a delight. I found it very helpful.

Another reviewer wrote:
"It is an irresponsible and calculated attack on free thinking. It is laughable for anyone with even a small understanding of philosophy, but potentially damaging to a young mind in search of a rational way to look at the world around us."

Nothing in this irenic book can be construed as an attack until you get to Jean Paul Sartre, and then the historical/athropological philosophies of Marx and Freud. Even then, what Sproul offers is rational analysis and critique.
Since when is a cogent counterargument "potentially damaging" to anybody's mind? If Sproul's arguments are faulty, readers need only reject them.

"Free thought" does not dismiss anybody's ideas as "potentially damaging" and "propaganda."

I dare any reader of any age to read this "potentially damaging" book... if they think they can handle it.

This is a good historical overview of philosophy. I wish it addressed more of the consequences, but overall, it was enjoyable.

It is an irresponsible and calculated attack on free thinking. It is laughable for anyone with even a small understanding of philosophy, but potentially damaging to a young mind in search of a rational way to look at the world around us.