This popular text has now been revised to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the growing number of people interested in all the main philosophical traditions of the world. Introduces all the main philosophical systems of the world, from ancient times to the present day.

Preface to second edition vii 1 Introduction 1 Part I: Ancient Philosophies 9 2 India 13 3 China 58 4 Greece 92 Part II: Middle Period and 'Modern' Philosophies:  147 5 Medieval Philosophies 151 6 Developments in Asian Philosophy 203 7 From Renaissance to Enlightenment 241 Part III: Recent Philosophies: 307 8 Kant and the Nineteenth Century 311 9 Recent Non-Western Philosophies 377 10 Twentieth-Century Western Philosophies 426 Bibliography 505 Index 527

Since it was first published in 1996, World Philosophies has been widely acclaimed as the most authoritative and wide-ranging single volume history of Eastern and Western philosophy, from ancient times to the present day. This popular book has now been revised to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of the growing number of people interested in all the main philosophical traditions of the world. Vedanta, Taoism, Platonism, Islamic and Jewish mysticism, Zen Buddhism, Cartesianism, Kantian Idealism, Marxism, Pragmatism, Phenomenology and Existentialism, Analytical Philosophy and Postmodernism are among the movements discussed. New to the second edition are additional sections on aspects of Indian and Persian thought and on feminist and environmental philosophy. All these philosophical systems are viewed as attempts to provide integrated accounts of the place of human beings within the wider order of things, and to determine in the light of these philosophies the proper conduct of human life.

‘A multicultural feast of ideas and arguments! In language that is expressive, clear and often humorous, David Cooper has written a compelling history of philosophy, covering as it does not only the major figures in Western thought but also the main trends in non-Western philosophy.' Robert L. Arrington, Georgia State University ‘By opening the door to cross-cultural comparison, Cooper has let in a draught that may blow away the whole house of cards, and uncover the parts of philosophy that the histories never reached.' Jonathan Rée, Times Higher Education Supplement

Preface to second edition. 1. Introduction. Part I: Ancient Philosophies:. 2. India. 3. China. 4. Greece. Part II: Middle Period and 'Modern' Philosophies:. 5. Medieval Philosophies. 6. Developments in Asian Philosophy. 7. From Renaissance to Enlightenment. Part III: Recent Philosophies:. 8. Kant and the Nineteenth Century. 9. Recent Non-Western Philosophies. 10. Twentieth-Century Western Philosophies. Bibliography. Index.