371 - Research Guide to Philosophy

Research Guide to Philosophy
By Terrence N. Tice and Thomas P. Slavens
Chicago. American Library Association, 1983. 608 pp. $40.00.

This is the third in the American Library Association series of Sources or Information in the Humanities. As with its predecessors Research Guide to Religious Studies and Research Guide to the History of Western Art this Guide also provides a survey of the field by brief historical accounts of the periods and sub-fields of its subject, and gives an annotated bibliography of each of these divisions. This particular volume is essential for all theological libraries. Any teacher or student of theology, or philosophy. or the educated person who wants to find

out what is going on in any branch or period of philosophy and what to read will find it a very useful book to consult. It is arranged into fourteen historical periods (with an emphasis on philosophy since the eighteenth century and sixteen sub-fields (such as epistemology, philosophy of religion, ethics, and philosophy of education). In addition, there is an annotated bibliography of bibliographies, dictionaries, encyclopedias, digests, handbooks, plus indices according to author-titles and subjects.

There are some features which trouble me. For example. in the survey of the philosophy of religion no mention is made of major European figures such as Heidegger and Paul Ricoeur. They are treated in a different sub-division so that a person who did not already know would never realize that they are important in the philosophy of religion. The principles of selection for bibliographical inclusion were not clear to me. I cannot account for the omission of Newman, Austin Farrer. Paul Holmer, Robert Adams, Norman Kretzman, James Ross-all of whom are more significant than several others whose works are included. One is also surprised at the prominence given to Schleiermacher in philosophy of religion. There is a noticeable absence of reference to contemporary Continental works, especially if they are not translated into English. For example, both French and German studies of Leibnez are not mentioned. The greatest collection of Leibniz's works is not Dutens but Gerhardt, and the German Academy edition, presently bringing out Leibniz's complete works in a critical edition and the Leibniz Gesellschaft tri-lingual journal and monograph series, are not mentioned. These are serious omissions. Nonetheless, the volume contains a wealth of useful information, and I am very grateful for it. As a reference volume for libraries and especially for small and single-person religion and philosophy departments, this guide will be indispensable.

Diogenes Allen
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton, N.J.