The Problems of Philosophy

The Problems of Philosophy is a book written by Bertrand Russell in 1912, which aims to provide a brief and accessible guide to the problems of philosophy. Russell introduces philosophy as a series of failed attempts to answer the same questions, such as whether we can prove the existence of an external world, cause and effect, and morality. He argues that philosophy cannot answer these questions and that its value must lie elsewhere. Russell focuses on knowledge rather than metaphysics, and guides the reader through his distinction between knowledge by acquaintance and knowledge by description. He also introduces important theories of philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Locke, Kant, and Hegel. The book is intended for general readers and scholars alike, and Russell has confined himself to those problems of philosophy in which he thought it possible to say something positive and constructive. The theory of knowledge occupies a larger space than metaphysics in the book, and some topics much discussed by philosophers are treated very briefly, if at all. The book is available in the public domain as an audiobook and an e-book.

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