[net.philosophy] 2nd edition of *Dictionary of Philosophy*

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  It's a bit out of date,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

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