A comprehensive update of the best-selling first edition, this revitalized new text presents readers with a series of clear, well-written entries focusing on fifty of the most influential philosophers from the last two thousand years.

Chosen to present the traditional mainstream of European philosophy, the text also provides a critical survey that meets the needs of readers seeking a broad basic understanding as well as a foundation for further philosophical enquiry.

Encompassing a wide range of ancient, medieval and modern philosophers, features of the second edition include:

• new entries on Dewey, Collingwood, Popper, Quine, Merleau-Ponty, Ayer and Rawls


• a thorough revision of existing entries


• a complete update of the further reading section


• an expanded glossary


• the addition of an alphabetical table of contents and an index for ease of use.

Authoritative and highly readable, this book is a vital reference tool for all those wishing to improve their understanding of some of the world’s most fascinating intellectual figures.