mck@ratex.UUCP (Daniel Kian Mc Kiernan) (04/22/85)
I recently mail-ordered a copy of the 2nd edition of *Dictionary of Philosophy*. My advice to others is: Don't get it; get the 1st edition. This 2nd edition is (only) in hard-back, and has larger pages (allowing larger type). It lists for about $25; I got it for about $16; the 1st edition is available in paper-back for about $6. Various major inadequacies from the 1st edition remain; additions are minor. Quite disappointed, DKMcK
rapaport@ellie.UUCP (William J. Rapaport) (04/29/85)
> > I recently mail-ordered a copy of the 2nd edition of *Dictionary of > Philosophy*. > My advice to others is: Don't get it; get the 1st edition. Professional philosophers (of whom I am one) generally avoid Runes's DICTIONARY OF PHILOSOPHY for its inaccuracies and for a celebrated controversy over its articles on logic. (Apparently, Runes changed the articles without the authors' permission.) If you want a good reference on philosophy, go to the ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PHILOSOPHY (Macmillan Free Press, 1967). It's a bit out of date, but authoritative. A good dictionary is A. R. Lacey, A DICTIONARY OF PHILOSOPHY (Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1976). I'm told that the ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITTANICA has good articles, too, though I haven't checked it out myself. -- Bill Rapaport Dept. of Computer Science SUNY Buffalo Buffalo, NY 14260 (716) 636-3193 uucp: ...decvax!sunybcs!rapaport csnet/arpanet: rapaport%buffalo@csnet-relay.