Azahari Hassim
A New History of Western Philosophy by Anthony Kenny is a four-volume work that offers a comprehensive, scholarly, yet accessible account of the development of Western philosophical thought. Published by Oxford University Press, it is one of the most respected modern surveys of Western philosophy, written by a distinguished philosopher and historian of philosophy.
Overview of the Four Volumes:
Ancient Philosophy Covers the period from the Presocratics through to Plotinus. Focuses on key figures such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the major Hellenistic schools (Stoicism, Epicureanism, Skepticism). Emphasizes the development of metaphysics, ethics, logic, and epistemology in the ancient world.
Medieval Philosophy Spans roughly from Augustine (4th century) to the Renaissance. Explores Christian, Islamic, and Jewish philosophical traditions. Key thinkers include Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Avicenna, Averroes, Maimonides, and Duns Scotus. Examines the synthesis of classical philosophy with religious doctrine.
The Rise of Modern Philosophy Covers the 17th and 18th centuries. Highlights figures like Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Kant. Focuses on the birth of modern science, rationalism vs empiricism, and the early critiques of metaphysics.
Philosophy in the Modern World Traces developments from the 19th century to contemporary thought. Includes thinkers such as Hegel, Marx, Nietzsche, Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Sartre, and others. Explores analytic and continental traditions, philosophy of language, mind, and political theory.
Notable Features:
Balanced and Neutral:
Kenny presents a fair assessment of each philosopher’s contributions and limitations.
Clarity and Structure:
Designed for both scholars and general readers, the writing is clear, well-organized, and didactic.
Philosopher and Historian:
Kenny brings the rare perspective of someone trained in both disciplines, allowing for deep contextual analysis.
This series is ideal for anyone seeking an in-depth yet readable introduction to the evolution of Western philosophy from antiquity to the present.
ABRAHAMIC THEOLOGY 