The Best Philosophy Reference Books 2024

Updated On November 14th, 2024

Looking for the best Philosophy Reference Books? You aren't short of choices in 2022. The difficult bit is deciding the best Philosophy Reference Books for you, but luckily that's where we can help. Based on testing out in the field with reviews, sells etc, we've created this ranked list of the finest Philosophy Reference Books.

Rank Product Name Score
1
A Dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms, Used [Paperback]

A Dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms, Used [Paperback]

Check Price
0%
2
The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy (Penguin Dictionary), Used [Paperback]

The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy (Penguin Dictionary), Used [Paperback]

Check Price
0%
3
The Concise encyclopedia of western philosophy and philosophers [Hardcover - Used]

The Concise encyclopedia of western philosophy and philosophers [Hardcover - Used]

Check Price
0%
4
A Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]

A Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]

Check Price
0%
5
A World of Ideas: A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers [Paperback - Used]

A World of Ideas: A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers [Paperback - Used]

Check Price
0%
6
The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

Check Price
0%
7
Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

Check Price
0%
8
The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Hardcover]

The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Hardcover]

Check Price
0%
9
Quiddities : An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary, Used [Hardcover]

Quiddities : An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary, Used [Hardcover]

Check Price
0%
10
Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

Check Price
0%

1. A Dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms, Used [Paperback]

A Dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms, Used [Paperback]
0%

Our Score

Intended for undergraduate students in philosophy courses, this reference tool includes definitions for over 500 commonly-used philosophical terms.

A Dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms, Used [Paperback]

2. The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy (Penguin Dictionary), Used [Paperback]

The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy (Penguin Dictionary), Used [Paperback]
0%

Our Score

This reference work provides extensive and up-to-dtae coverage of modern as well as historical fields, with concise definitions of the key concepts, doctrines, and schools of thought of all areas of philosophy.

The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]

3. The Concise encyclopedia of western philosophy and philosophers [Hardcover - Used]

The Concise encyclopedia of western philosophy and philosophers [Hardcover - Used]
0%

Our Score

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. On its first appearance in 1960, J.O. Urmson's Concise encyclopedia of Western philosophy and philosophers established itself as a classic. Its contributors included many of the leading philosophers of the English-speaking world: Ryle, Hare, Strawson, Ayer, Dummett, Williams and many others. They wrote with an authority and individuality which made the Encyclopedia into a lively and engaging introduction to philosophy as well as a convenient reference work. For this edition, supervised by Jonathan R e, the original articles have been revised and updated, and eighty articles by thirty one new authors have been added. The additions take account of recent developments in philosophy, of literary, historical and political issues in philosophy, and of developments in continental thought, including in Marxism, psychoanalysis, phenomenology, existentialism, structuralism, post-structuralism and deconstruction. There is a clear, integral cross-referencing system which allows the reader to identify points of overlap between philosophical traditions and their personalities at a glance.

The Concise encyclopedia of western philosophy and philosophers [Hardcover - Used]

4. A Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]

A Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]
0%

Our Score

This is a new, updated and revised edition of a reference work that has proved invaluable as a tool for the student of philosophy, as well as a handbook for the general reader. From the classical thinkers through Aquinas, Descartes, Spinoza, Kant, up to the modern age of Russell and Wittgenstein, this comprehensive dictionary spans the personalities, terminology, and vocabulary of hundreds of philosophers over thousands of years. This second edition of an important and invaluable work has been completely revised, and fifteen new major articles have been added. Now, more than ever before, "A Dictionary of Philosophy "is a necessary and timely work for the modern student of thought.

A Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]

5. A World of Ideas: A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers [Paperback - Used]

A World of Ideas: A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers [Paperback - Used]
0%

Our Score

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. THE THINKERS, THE THOUGHTS, AND THE THEORIES YOU NEED TO KNOW TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD WE LIVE IN. With A World of Ideas, you can get to the bottom of the big bang theory; find out where Freud's ideas were coming from, and where Einstein's might take us; demystify surrealism and structuralism, communism and capitalism. Prepared with the assistance of an academic board of leading scholars, this invaluable reference includes - Hundreds of entries, alphabetically arranged, with key words and concepts highlighted and cross-referenced--more than two thousand in all - A special emphasis on multicultural influences and contemporary thought - A comprehensive index giving easy access to all essential terms and names A World of Ideas is an indispensable resource for the curious reader.

A World of Ideas : A Dictionary of Important Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers, Used [Paperback]

6. The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]
0%

Our Score

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. This is the most authoritative and comprehensive one-volume dictionary of philosophy available in English. It contains over 4,000 entries, which range in length from 100 to 4,000 words. The Dictionary has been written by an international team of over 350 experts, so, rather than offering the limited perspective of a single writer, it distils the collective knowledge of the professional community of philosophers in an accessible manner.The Cambridge Dictionary clearly and concisely defines both technical terms and crucial concepts, and will promote the understanding of philosophy on all levels and across all fields. It includes substantial explanatory articles on all major philosophers as well as hundreds of minor figures. There are expansive, up-to-date overviews of all the important sub-disciplines such as ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and logic. No other reference work on philosophy contains so many entries on related subjects such as cognitive science, linguistics, theology, law, history of science and literature.

The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]

7. Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]
0%

Our Score

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. Explains the terminology of philosophy with an emphasis on bringing out the general flavour and importance of terms rather than giving over-concise definitions which may mislead.

A Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]

8. The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Hardcover]

The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Hardcover]
0%

Our Score

This is the most authoritative and comprehensive one-volume dictionary of philosophy available in English. It contains over 4,000 entries, which range in length from 100 to 4,000 words. The Dictionary has been written by an international team of over 350 experts, so, rather than offering the limited perspective of a single writer, it distils the collective knowledge of the professional community of philosophers in an accessible manner.The Cambridge Dictionary clearly and concisely defines both technical terms and crucial concepts, and will promote the understanding of philosophy on all levels and across all fields. It includes substantial explanatory articles on all major philosophers as well as hundreds of minor figures. There are expansive, up-to-date overviews of all the important sub-disciplines such as ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and logic. No other reference work on philosophy contains so many entries on related subjects such as cognitive science, linguistics, theology, law, history of science and literature.

The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Hardcover]

9. Quiddities : An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary, Used [Hardcover]

Quiddities : An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary, Used [Hardcover]
0%

Our Score

and small. For this select audience, it is an ideal book for browsing.

Quiddities : An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary, Used [Hardcover]

10. Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]

Dictionary of Philosophy [Paperback - Used]
0%

Our Score

CONDITION - USED - Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. Accessories such as CD, codes, toys, may not be included. First published in 1976, theDictionary of Philosophyhas established itself as the best available text of its kind, explaining often unfamiliar, complicated and diverse terminology. Providing an illuminating and informed introduction to central philosophical issues, concepts and perspectives in the core fields of metaphysics, epistemology and philosophical logic, theDictionarytakes the most commonly-used terms and notions and clarifies what they mean to the philosopher and what sort of problems the philosopher finds associated with them. Thoroughly revised and updated the bibliographies supply core reading lists and each entry uses extensive cross referencing to related themes and concepts to provide greater access, control and comprehension. TheDictionarywill also provide those working in proximate fields with an understanding of areas of overlapping interest, concepts of common applicability and the full range and diversity of philosophicalanalysis and insight.

Dictionary of Philosophy, Used [Paperback]


arrow_upward