This book consists of fifteen dialogues between Bryan Magee and some of the outstanding thinkers of the twentieth century. It is based on a highly successful BBC television series which had enormous impact. The informality and clarity of the conversational form makes even the most difficult ideas accessible to the general reader. Isaiah Berlin opens by considering the fundamental question 'What is philosophy?' Subsequent conversations examine such widely different schools as Marxism and existentialism. Chomsky, Quine, Marcuse, and others discuss their own work; A. J. Ayer reviews logical positivism; Iris Murdoch talks about the relation between philosophy and literature. Moral philosophy, political philosophy, the philosophy of language, and the philosophy of science are all treated in depth by the thinkers whose work has shaped the fields.

About the Author
Bryan Magee was educated at Oxford, and has held academic positions at Yale University, King's College London, and Oxford University. He is an independent writer, critic, and broadcaster. His many books include The Great Philosophers, Confessions of a Philosopher, The Story of Philosophy, and Aspects of Wagner.

Reviews
Review from previous edition 'Intellectual instruction and entertainment of a high order' * Observer *



Book Information
ISBN 9780192854179
Author Bryan Magee
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 301g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 19mm