Philosophy Subject Guide

Dictionaries

10 resources available
- Restricted to WMU users  - Open Access

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A dictionary is basic reference source that provides definitions of the words and phrases in a field. In addition, the A-Z listing may also include brief biographical sketches of philosophers. Also look for appendices that have useful tables, chronologies, and other reference facts.

The Cambridge Dictionary of PhilosophyAuthoritative, online resource with 4,000 entries and cross-references that covers all aspects of the field. There is a Western emphasis, but significant non-Western coverage can be found. No living philosophers or article bibliographies are included.

The Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy"The most authoritative and up-to-date concise dictionary of philosophy. ... [that] defines many terms and concepts not normally found in such reference works, including entries for laughter, and the meaning of life, and covers relevant terms from disciplines such as mathematics, physics, biology, artificial intelligence, and linguistics. There are biographies of nearly 500 individuals, with more women appearing than in other philosophical dictionaries" (Quoted from Preface, Oxford Reference Online). More info

A Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names
"This is a concise guide to technical terms and personal names often encountered in the study of philosophy." Written by Garth Kemerling and reflecting his own philosophical interests, the source also links to other key online dictionaries and encyclopedias. Last edited in 2006.

A Dictionary of Philosophy

B 41.D52 2002 (Ref)
Flew's 3rd ed. presents an alphabetical list of some 2000 entries, plus cross references, that includes philosophers, ideas, and actions that define the world of philosophy. Users will note a strong British origin.

The Dictionary of Philosophy of MindSponsored by Washington University, St. Louis, this online dictionary is "intended as a free resource for all those interested in the philosophy of mind." (Quoted from site.) Uses Google to search for term(s), but also has an alphabetical index with a letter by letter display of topics plus a section of brief biographies.

Dictionary of World Philosophy
B 41 .I26 2001
"Extremely comprehensive, this resource written by [A. Pablo Iannone] offers entries for terms, philosophical areas of inquiry, and traditions drawn from global philosophies. ... Coverage includes traditions from African, Arabic, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Jewish, Korean, Latin American, Maori, and Native American philosophies" [quoted from Choice review]. Includes suggested readings; cross-references are printed in italics.

The Ism Book: A Field Guide to the Nomenclature of Philosophy"The Ism Book is an intellectual field guide that provides brief definitions of theories, doctrines, movements, and approaches in philosophy, religion, politics, science, the arts, and related disciplines. It was originally written in 1990 and was first posted on the web in March 1996. In 2005 it was totally revised and nowadays it is continuously updated on the web by Peter Saint-Andre who has placed it in the public domain" (ISM Web site).

Key Ideas in Human Thought
B 41 .K48 1993 (Ref)
A broadly based, alphabetically arranged dictionary of "ideas" (2500 entries) that covers intellectual/philosophical history including the arts, science, religion, economics, and philosophy itself. Excellent cross-references provide an internal "network of thought."

Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy (Thomas Mautner)
B 41 .M38 2005 (Ref)
The 2nd ed. has more entries (2300) than The Cambridge Dictionary or The Oxford Companion. More than a dictionary, the work includes some substantial articles on major movements and people. Basic coverage is for Western philosophy with some reference to Islamic thought.

A World of Ideas: A Dictionary of Imporant Theories, Concepts, Beliefs, and Thinkers
B41 .R64 1999
"Rohmann developed this resource after finding inadequate dictionary and encyclopedia definitions for dialectical materialism. Alphabetically arranged by idea or thinker, it is cross-referenced within the text and the index. Typical entries include the history, meaning, and context of ideas as varied as aesthetics, chaos theory, federalism, and Rastafarianism. More than 100 intellectual figures such as Aquinas, Sartre, Piaget, and Machiavelli are described insightfully and succinctly" [quoted from Library Journal review].

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