The Oxford Companion to Philosophy

The Oxford Companion to Philosophy, under the editorship of Ted Honderich, is a monumental and widely acclaimed reference work that aims to bring together the vast and intricate field of philosophy into a single, accessible volume. Published by Oxford University Press, it is designed to be the definitive philosophical reference for readers at all levels, from general enthusiasts to advanced students and scholars.

The Companion boasts a remarkable breadth and depth of coverage, featuring almost 2,000 alphabetically arranged entries contributed by an international assembly of distinguished philosophers. These entries delve into a comprehensive range of topics, including:

• Philosophers: Extensive biographical entries on the great thinkers from ancient times (e.g., Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Confucius) to contemporary figures (e.g., Richard Rorty, Jacques Derrida, Noam Chomsky). Many entries are substantial, providing in-depth analysis of their ideas and contributions.
• Key Concepts: Clear explanations of fundamental philosophical concepts such as personal identity, the mind-body problem, free will, truth, knowledge, existence, and the meaning of life.
• Major Doctrines and Schools of Thought: Detailed discussions of significant philosophical movements, theories, and traditions, including idealism, empiricism, ethics, aesthetics, epicureanism, stoicism, deism, pantheism, utilitarianism, Marxism, logical positivism, existentialism, the Vienna Circle, and various national philosophies (e.g., American, Indian, Japanese).
• Philosophical Terms: Concise definitions and elucidations of specific philosophical terminology (e.g., qualia, supervenience, iff).
• Puzzles and Curiosities: Engaging explorations of well-known philosophical puzzles (e.g., Achilles paradox, prisoner’s dilemma) and intriguing curiosities (e.g., philosopher’s stone, slime).
• Practical and Contemporary Issues: Coverage of contentious public issues with philosophical dimensions, such as abortion, capital punishment, animal consciousness, cloning, corporate responsibility, globalization, and terrorism.

Beyond its informative content, the Companion is praised for its engaging and often entertaining writing style, combining learning with lucidity, elegance, and wit. Each entry is typically accompanied by suggestions for further reading, enabling readers to delve deeper into specific topics. The book also includes valuable supplementary materials such as a chronological chart of the history of philosophy, a gallery of portraits of eminent philosophers, and diagrams illustrating the structure and relationships between different philosophical subjects and doctrines.

Ted Honderich’s aim, as editor, was not only to create a comprehensive reference work but also “something more amiable,” a book that could be browsed for pleasure and intellectual stimulation. Its success in achieving this goal has made it an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to navigate the complex landscape of philosophical thought.