Reviews for Origins of Analytical Philosophy

The average rating for Origins of Analytical Philosophy based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2007-05-17 00:00:00 Rachel Tallman I like this book; it remains unique in comparison to other books that claim a similar project. I've read a couple other books that attempt to explain the "origins of analytic philosophy" (see Scott Soames or Herbert Hochberg), but what sets this text apart is its focus on continental origins. Both Soames & Hochberg limit their continental investigation to the philosophy of Frege while spending more time on the Cambridge school (G. E. Moore, B. Russell, early Wittgenstein...). M. Dummett expands his search to other key German & Austrian figures that most definitely contributed to the formation of the analytic tradition. Dummett not only spends time on Frege; he explores Husserl, Brentano, Meinong, Bolzano, and others as well. The Anglo-Saxon tradition, according to Dummett, really originates in certain Austrian intellectual circles of the late 19th century. Dummett's book is important and interesting for rightly stressing this point. Why is this fact largely unacknowledged? Dummett suggests the rise of Hitler as having something to do with it. Intellectual activity (along with the focus on such things) shifted (or was displaced) to the West as a result of the Third Reich. It's just another way that Nazi fascism devastated European culture and social life. This book is also useful for its commentary & explanation on the analytic/continental split....There is alot of intelligent and perceptive insight on this issue. Dummett is difficult but well worth the effort. Check it out.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-08-21 00:00:00 Curtis Johnson Dummett offers an elucidating and thorough account of the progress of philosophy from Brentano to the late Wittgenstein, proceeding mainly via juxtaposition of the work Gottlob Frege and Edmund Husserl. Well-researched and compelling (really what else do you expect from Dummett), the only complaint to be made about the work is that it is too partial. Views in accordance with Dummett's own are lauded, while those in opposition are dismissed with little ceremony. Overall though, an essential read for anyone interested in how Anglo-American philosophy came to be what it is today.