The German Greeks: German Philosophy and the German Philosophers: Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche (Ancient Wisdom)

German philosophy made crystal clearA book that makes you stop and rethink how you’ve been taught philosophy. —Jamie Michele for Readers’ FavoriteGerman philosophy is the backbone of modern Western philosophy, and Kant the single most important philosopher since Aristotle.At the same time, Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche were grounded first and foremost in Latin and Greek, and steeped in the classics, which informed and inspired many of their greatest ideas.And they were ‘Greek’ in other ways too—and can readily be contrasted to the ‘Anti-Greeks’ of British, or Anglo-American, empiricism.The German Greeks, therefore, sets out to do three things:Outline the life and thought of the five most fertile German philosophers;Unravel their many influences, including over one another; andSituate them within the Western tradition inaugurated by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle—showing how they are, in fact, their heirs.Editorial reviews A fine, enjoyably readable and historically accurate book that informatively and excitingly portrays the lives of Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche. —Prof Robert Wicks, editor of The Oxford Handbook of Schopenhauer Neel Burton’s engaging style almost brings to life the major philosophers and their influential ideas. Rewarding reading for those wanting a brisk and essentialized tour of early modern philosophy. —Prof Stephen R.C. Hicks, author of Explaining Postmodernism and Nietzsche and the NazisA fascinating, thought-provoking book. Neel Burton’s approach is similar to Will Durant’s, particularly in how he blends storytelling with philosophical insight. —Carol Thompson, teacher of writing, book editor, and investigative journalist with over 50 reporting awardsNeel Burton makes philosophy enjoyable for ordinary readers. There is so much packed into this book. —Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite About the authorDr Neel Burton is a philosopher and psychiatrist who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. His other books include: The Gang of Three: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle; Stoic Stories: Stoicism by Its Best Stories; and Indian Mythology and Philosophy. “As I wrote The German Greeks, I fell under the spell of each philosopher in turn, and I hope you will too.”A biographical, historical approachThe German Greeks makes German philosophy memorable and graspable by adopting a biographical, chronological approach to Leibniz, Kant, Hegel, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche. Embedding their works and ideas within their lived context enables the reader to discover them ‘at the same time’ as they themselves did, and for the same reasons.Alongside the mind-blowing, life-changing, paradigm-shifting philosophy, find out:What happened when Leibniz sailed to Holland on a royal yacht to meet the dying lens grinder Spinoza.How the young Kant supported himself by skilful gambling.How Hegel was influenced by his roommates Hölderlin and Shelling, and what came of these friendships.Why Schopenhauer had such a low opinion of women, and Hegel.Why Schopenhauer lent his large double opera glasses to an Austrian officer.How Nietzsche ended up in a ménage-à-trois with Paul Rée and Lou Salomé.How Nietzsche’s Nazi sister exploited her invalid brother and distorted his legacy.And much, much more.◆ Grab your copy now and follow the fascinating journey from the mathematics and metaphysics of a pre-ordained universe to the irrational depths of the human psyche and birth of psychoanalysis. Read more