The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition

By: Daniel N. Robinson, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Daniel N. Robinson

Length: 30 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Grasp the important ideas that have served as the backbone of philosophy across the ages with this extraordinary 60-lecture series. This is your opportunity to explore the enormous range of philosophical perspectives and ponder the most important and enduring of human questions - without spending your life poring over dense philosophical texts.

Professor Robinson guides you through more than 2,000 years of philosophical thinking and gives you a coherent, comprehensive, and beautifully articulated introduction to the great conversation of philosophy. Every lecture contains substance that can change your view of the world and its history.

You'll journey from the early philosophical ideas of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle; chart the origins of Christian philosophy and investigate the Islamic scholars who preserved and extended Greek thought during the Middle Ages; and venture through Enlightenment contributions to philosophy, from Francis Bacon to Locke, Hume, Kant, Mill, and Adam Smith.

Then shift your attention to the modern era, where you see groundbreaking ideas like psychoanalysis, pragmatism, and nihilism, as well as the collision between the inherently social understanding of meaning created by Wittgenstein, the vastly different estimation of human thought developed by the code-breaking genius Alan Turing, and the subtle response to him made by the American philosopher John Searle.

While the lectures cover an enormous range of key thinkers and ideas, they always focus on the most important ideas. The result is a course that gives you everything you need to finally grasp humanity's exciting philosophical history - without years of intense academic study and piles of dense reading.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

Terrific exploration of philosophical ideas

If you could sum up The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition in three words, what would they be?

Articulate, nuanced, explanatory

What did you like best about this story?

Philosophy is the greatest subject matter to which humans turn their attention, and Professor Robinson pinpoints knowledge, conduct and governance as the three great themes of human history and experience, then explores these in a way that draws the listener in. This man knows and loves his subject.

What about Professor Daniel N. Robinson’s performance did you like?

He is erudite without being pompous, and very easy to listen to. His tone is discursive, with the light and shade generally found in conversation but not in reading -- he doesn't give the impression that he is reading out his lecture notes.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes - but good luck! 60 lectures. Extraordinary value.

Any additional comments?

Get this one if it's the only course you buy.

An Excellent Introduction to Western Philosophy

Would you listen to The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition again? Why?

Yes. It contained a number of ideas worth thinking about more and/or revisiting.

What other book might you compare The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition to and why?

From Socrates to Sartre, by T. Z. Lavine. Both books attempt to cut a large swathe through western philosophical thought; Lavine's work tends to go more in depth, however, since it deals with fewer philosophers.

Less Would Be More Here

These lectures go from philosopher to philosopher, which is fine, but the purpose of each lecture I felt was lost in the details. Each philosopher has something to add, but I tended to get lost in the fog of considerations, thought experiments, and refutation.

Interesting classes

Most lectures are entertaining and thoughtful. I believe the ones I didn't like it wasn't the teacher's fault but mainly my disinterest for the particular subject. Professor Robinson had a good voice and really knew the subject.
I recommend listening to the first part and then choosing the other lectures according to personal preferences.

knowledge is power

you should always start by asking the right questions. many of the most profound are offered here along with analysis of the answers.

Absolutely awesome!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition to be better than the print version?

Yes. You have the opportunity to better listen to the narrator's emphasis and nuance of very difficult concepts.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition?

The simplicity of relating complex concepts of existence and morality to real-world issues.

What does Professor Daniel N. Robinson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Robinson is awesome!
Brilliant and funny his narration is very engaging, and to-the-point.
Prof. Robinson's explanations and real-world applications of these concepts ensure you understand and appreciate the value of philosophy.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

J. S. Mill's thesis on what is liberty - very enlightening!

Any additional comments?

Not being sappy - but listening to this audio-book has changed the way I think of life, morality, existence and my place in this world. A mind-changer!

Great Course, worth the time!

Wonderful course! great ideas, and great storytelling by professor Robinson. Very unbiased, you always get all sides of the story here.

Educational

This is a good listen. It proved a lot oh thought. The presenter had a relaxing style.

Fantastic

Exposure to numerous problems and considerations that are at once historical and modern. This course has tons of jumping off points for further study. My favorite great course yet!

A wealth of information

Lots of great information, just too much of his personal biases influence the information. Overall a great course that makes me want to read these works and form my own opinions.