Philosophy Subject Guide

Encyclopedias

 

18 resources available
restricted - Restricted to WMU users open access - Open Access

An introduction to the ideas, concepts, and general overview of a subject and its components is found in an encyclopedia. Often, definitions are included, but most encyclopedias have lengthy articles prepared by major scholars in the profession, and cite key books and articles published on the topic. Many also contain biographical portraits, contributions of the philosopher under study, and a variety of other "reference" information. Cross-references and author, title, and subject indexes are almost always found in encyclopedias.

Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
A widely acclaimed, authoritative, and comprehensive online English-language reference to the fields of philosophy and religion that is useful to philosophers, scholars, and students. The online version is updated regularly with new and revised entries, has reviewed Web links, and includes extensive cross references and critical bibliographies.



Librarian's Comment: The 1998 print edition of the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy B51.R68 (Ref) was the first multi-volume printed encyclopedia covering all aspects of philosophy to be published in the field for thirty years. The online edition updates and continues this strong tradition. Entries are prepared by leading contemporary philosophers and reflect the state of the art in philosophy scholarship.

Stanford Encyclopedia of PhilosophyThe Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy "was designed from its inception (September 1995) as a dynamic reference work. In a dynamic reference work, each entry is maintained and kept up to date by an expert or group of experts in the field."

The Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Available through NetLibrary, this one-volume, alphabetical overview of world philosophy is based on the 10-volume Routledge encyclopedia noted above: "2,000 plus entries range from the Presocratics, Ancient Egypt and early Chinese philosophy up to the present day, and across the world to include the philosophies of the West, the Arab world, India, East Asia, Latin America and Africa. Subject matter is broad ranging, from aesthetics to mathematics, from philosophy of religion to philosophy of science" (Introduction).
The print copy is available in Central Reference, Waldo Library, under the call number: B 51 .C58 2000 (Ref). Entries include references and cross-references plus there is an additional detailed index.

Encyclopedia of Philosophy/Donald M. Borchert, ed., 2nd ed.

B51 .E53 2006
First published in 1972 by Macmillan and now a product of Thomson Gale/Macmillan Reference USA, the 2nd edition has 9 authoritative volumes plus an outline/index volume 10. Organized alphabetically from Abbagnano-Byzantine philosophy (Vol. 1) to Shaftesbury-Zubiri (Vol. 9) philosophy, the work is replete with cross and bibliographical references, a thematic outline, and other useful research aides.



The Encyclopedia of Philosophy

B 41 .E5 (Ref)
Until the publication of the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, this 1972 work was the major resource in the field, covering ancient, medieval, and modern philosophy. Published in 8 volumes plus a 1996 supplemental volume, the treatment has some Anglo-American bias, but has a distinguished authorship and undisputed universality.

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy "The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy was founded in 1995 for the purpose of providing detailed, scholarly information on key topics and philosophers in all areas of philosophy." ... "Articles in the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy are currently from three sources (1) original contributions by specialized philosophers around the internet, (2) adaptations of material written by the editors for classroom purposes, and (3) adaptations from public domain sources (typically from two or more sources for per article)." (Quoted from site "About IEP.")

MIT CogNet Library restricted "The CogNet Library is a growing, searchable collection of books, journals, reference works, OpenCourseWare links and conference materials. Content and resources are provided by The MIT Press and other publishers, professional associations, institutions, and individuals who are willing to share public access to online work" (CogNet Web site)

The Oxford Companion to Philosophy
An excellent addition, now available through NetLibrary, to the single-volume encyclopedic dictionaries of the assorted disciplines, and comparable match to The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, with the latter written largely by American authors and the former mainly by British contributors. However, the Cambridge volume is not available online. Does include living philosophers and ranges across the world's philosophical traditions. Brief bibliographies, some portraits, and an "assorted miscellany" of philosophical ideas.
The print copy, call number B 51 .O94 1995 (Ref), is found in Waldo Library Central Reference.

Specialized Dictionaries and Encyclopedias
There are many specialized dictionaries and encyclopedias that focus on major subdivisions of philosophy: logic, metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, and epistemology, and on individual philosophers. A selective list of specialized works in print and available in Waldo follows. Each of these titles is a recommended reference source, with authoritative contributors, indexes and cross references, and provides useful background material.

Companion Encyclopedia of Asian philosophy
B 121 .C66 1997 (Ref)

Dictionary of Ethics, Theology, and Society
BJ 63 .D52x 1996 (Ref)

Encyclopedia of Aesthetics
BH 56 .E53 1998 (Reference)
Four volume set gives comprehensive coverage of the study of aesthetics.

Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics
BJ 63 .E43x 1998 (Ref) More info

Encyclopedia of Bioethics
QH 332 .E52 1995 (Sci Ref) More info

Encyclopedia of Ethics
BJ 63 .E45 2001(Ref) More info

Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment. 3 v.
B802 .E53 2003

Ethics
BJ 63 . E54 1994 (Ref)

Handbook of Metaphysics and Ontology
BD 111 .H225 1991 (Ref)

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