Masterpieces of Philosophical Literature

Despite Plato's banning of poets from the ideal community, some works of philosophy also stand as significant contributions to literature, and some works of literature have profoundly influenced philosophy. Such works have the power to challenge, provoke, and move the reader, and they upset complacent assumptions and demand new thinking. They also draw on the resources of language and literature to explore enduring issues. Written expressly for school students, this reference work conveniently introduces ten widely studied works of philosophical literature. Each chapter is dedicated to an individual masterpiece, providing an overview of the life and career of the author, and exploring philosophical and literary features of the work. An introductory essay considers the nature of philosophical literature, and the volume closes with a selected, general bibliography.