Description
German philosophy made crystal clear
A book that makes you stop and rethink how you’ve been taught philosophy. —Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite
German philosophy is the backbone of modern Western philosophy, and Kant the single most important philosopher since Aristotle.
At the same time, Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche were grounded first and foremost in Latin and Greek, and steeped in the classics, which informed and inspired many of their greatest ideas.
And they were ‘Greek’ in other ways too—and can readily be contrasted to the ‘Anti-Greeks’ of British, or Anglo-American, empiricism.
The German Greeks, therefore, sets out to do three things:
- Outline the life and thought of the five most fertile German philosophers;
- Unravel their many influences, including over one another; and
- Situate them within the Western tradition inaugurated by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—showing how they are, in fact, their heirs.
Editorial reviews
A fine, enjoyably readable and historically accurate book that informatively and excitingly portrays the lives of Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche. —Prof Robert Wicks, editor of The Oxford Handbook of Schopenhauer
Neel Burton’s engaging style almost brings to life the major philosophers and their influential ideas. Rewarding reading for those wanting a brisk and essentialized tour of early modern philosophy. —Prof Stephen R.C. Hicks, author of Explaining Postmodernism and Nietzsche and the Nazis
A richly entertaining tour of some eminent German philosophers. It is liberally interspersed with fascinating biographical information. I greatly enjoyed this well-written book. —Dr Mark Robson, author of Who the Hell Is Immanuel Kant
A fascinating, thought-provoking book. Neel Burton’s approach is similar to Will Durant’s, particularly in how he blends storytelling with philosophical insight. —Carol Thompson, teacher of writing, book editor, and investigative journalist with over 50 reporting awards
I cannot imagine any of my college professors having Neel Burton's deft touch with metaphysics. With his sly asides and keen observations, he brings the long-dead German philosophers to life for those who live now. —CR Hurst, author of biographies and teacher of writing
Neel Burton makes philosophy enjoyable for ordinary readers. There is so much packed into this book. —Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite
About the author
Dr Neel Burton is a philosopher and psychiatrist who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. His other books include: The Gang of Three: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle; Stoic Stories: Stoicism by Its Best Stories; and Indian Mythology and Philosophy. “As I wrote The German Greeks, I fell under the spell of each philosopher in turn, and I hope you will too.”
A biographical, historical approach
The German Greeks makes German philosophy memorable and graspable by adopting a biographical, chronological approach to Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche. Embedding their works and ideas within their lived context enables the reader to discover them ‘at the same time’ as they themselves did, and for the same reasons.
◆ Grab your copy now and follow the fascinating journey from the mathematics and metaphysics of a pre-ordained universe to the irrational depths of the human psyche and birth of psychoanalysis.
Details
Publisher - Acheron Press
Language - English
Perfect Bound
Contributors
By author
Neel Burton
Published Date - 2026-04-30
ISBN - 9781913260637
Dimensions - 21.6 x 13.8 x 2.1 cm
Page Count - 374
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