Presents a philosophical reference work. In this edition, an international assembly of 249 philosophers has contributed almost 2,000 entries. It offers discussions of the aspects of philosophy, and of the lives and work of the great philosophers. It is meant as an introduction for general readers and as a guide for students.

`Review from previous edition a triumph, on which everyone concerned deserves to be congratulated ... if I have ever seen better value for money, at least I cannot remember having done so' Hugo Meynell, The Tablet `the only reference work on the subject that communicates the sheer oddball fun of hard thinking' Steven Poole, The Guardian `I recommend this as one of my books of the year: it offers philosophy in a form that's digestible' Peter Mullen, Yorkshire Evening Press `I am a second year university student studying Philosophy and after an exhaustive search for an extended general reference aid to the subject, I believe that the Oxford Companion to Philosophy is head and shoulders above similar texts on the market (e.g. Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, The Concise Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy). It is not only informative, but in an easy to understand and accessable format, which lends itself equally well to the beginner as to the more advanced philosophy student. In my opinion this constitutes an indispensible reference to anyone interested in the subject of philosophy. ' Amazon reader review `that rarest of things: a philosophical work that is genuinely entertaining ... by far the best - and best value - philosophical reference book on the market.'' Observer `the "Oxford Companion" is rewarding to browse through.' Economist `the "Oxford Companion" is probably the best introductory guide' Economist

New edition of the highly acclaimed and hugely successful Companion The number one reference book on the subject for readers at all levels Over 100,000 copies sold! This new edition features topics and issues that have come to prominence in the last ten years, e.g. animal consciousness, cloning, corporate responsibility, the family, globalization, terrorism Many new articles on other subjects of wide interest, e.g. heaven, humour, disability, the good life, passion and emotion, sexuality, zombies

Ted Honderich is Emeritus Grote Professor of the Philosophy of Mind and Logic at University College London. He was born in Canada and educated in Toronto and London. His major work is A Theory of Determinism: The Mind, Neuroscience, and Life-Hopes, published by the Clarendon Press in 1988 and subsequently issued in two paperback volumes. He addresses the same subject for a more general readership in How Free are You? (1993). He is also known for his writings on political philosophy, and for the widely successful philosophy readers which he has edited.

New edition of the highly acclaimed and hugely successful Companion The number one reference book on the subject for readers at all levels Over 100,000 copies sold! This new edition features topics and issues that have come to prominence in the last ten years, e.g. animal consciousness, cloning, corporate responsibility, the family, globalization, terrorism Many new articles on other subjects of wide interest, e.g. heaven, humour, disability, the good life, passion and emotion, sexuality, zombies