130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ 

A Brief History of the Soul

3.99 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 78 ratings, 13 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Brief History of the Soul presents a clear and concise exploration of the soul's development in western philosophy, tracing ideas from Plato to modern philosophy of mind. It examines major arguments surrounding mind-body interaction, physical causal closure, and neuroscientific implications for the soul's existence, while covering influential figures such as Plato, Aquinas, Locke, Hume, and Descartes. The book uniquely melds historical perspectives with a compelling case for a non-reductionist, non-materialist understanding of the soul.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$4999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 3-4 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for students and readers interested in philosophy, psychology, and the mind-body problem who seek a succinct yet thorough introduction to the history and arguments surrounding the soul.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A Brief History of the Soul provides a clear and concise history of the soul, from Plato to cutting-edge contemporary work in philosophy of mind.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A Brief History of the Soul is a clear and concise history of the soul in Western philosophy, from Plato to cutting-edge contemporary work in philosophy of mind.

  • Packed with arguments for and against a range of different, historically significant philosophies of the soul.
  • Addresses the essential issues, including mind-body interaction, the causal closure of the physical world, and the philosophical implications of the brain sciences for the soul's existence.
  • Includes coverage of theories from key figures, such as Plato, Aquinas, Locke, Hume, and Descartes.
  • Unique in combining the history of ideas and the development of a powerful case for a non-reductionist, non-materialist account of the soul.

Series: Brief Histories of Philosophy

View all
  • A Brief History of the Soul
    A Brief History of the Soul is a clear and concise history of the soul in Western philosophy, from Plato to cutting-edge contemporary work in philosophy of mind. Packed with arguments for and against a range of different, historically significant philosophies of the soul. Addresses the essential issues, including mind-body interaction, the causal closure of the physical world, and the...
    Paperback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Times Higher Education Supplement praised the book as "an extremely useful chronological account of how the concept of the soul developed."

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781405196321

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 April 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Wiley-Blackwell

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 13.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 213.0mm

Weight: 318g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Stewart Goetz is Ross Frederick Wicks DistinguishedProfessor in Philosophy and Religion at Ursinus College. He haswritten extensively on the philosophy of mind and action theory andhis books include Freedom, Teleology, and Evil (2008), Naturalism (with Charles Taliaferro, 2008), and The SoulHypothesis (edited with Mark Baker, 2011). Charles Taliaferro is Professor of Philosophy at St. OlafCollege. He is on the editorial board of the AmericanPhilosophical Quarterly, Religious Studies,Sophia, and Philosophy Compass. His books includeConsciousness and the Mind of God (1994, 2004),Naturalism (with Stewart Goetz, 2008), A Companion toPhilosophy of Religion, 2nd edition (edited with Paul Draper,Wiley-Blackwell, 2010), and The Image in Mind (with JilEvans, 2010).

Also by Charles Taliaferro

View all
  • What is Philosophy of Religion?
    An important part of philosophy is concerned with religious questions. What is the meaning of life, and how might religious faith or doubt impact such meaning? What is the evidence for the existence of God? Is evidence essential for religious faith? What is the relationship between science and religion? What is the relationship between religions? How can or should one...
    Paperback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • Iris Murdoch and the Transcendent
    Iris Murdoch and the Transcendent explores how Iris Murdoch challenged the intellectual climate of her day. She transcended the reductive, behaviouristic view of consciousness and sought to transcend the theory of values that focuses on will and desire. Instead, she defended a transcendent understanding of goodness and the Good that can transform us, leading us to renounce our egocentric nature....
    Hardback
    $24200
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

Also by Stewart Goetz

View all
  • C. S. Lewis
    The definitive exploration of C.S. Lewis’s philosophical thought, and its connection with his theological and literary work Arguably one of the most influential writers of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis is widely hailed as a literary giant, his seven-volume Chronicles of Narnia having sold over 65 million copies in print worldwide. A prolific author and scholar whose intellectual contributions transcend...
    Paperback
    $6099
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

More from Philosophy & Psychology

View all
  • Atomic Habits
    Atomic Habits by James Clear is a transformative guide that demonstrates how tiny, incremental changes in behaviour can fundamentally reshape your life. Rather than urging sweeping transformations, Clear advocates for the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions. Whether it’s performing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes earlier, or making a brief, focused phone call, these minuscule adjustments,...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • How Lucky Am I
    New Release
    How Lucky Am I
    The first full book featuring social media sensation Mr. Skelly, with over 5 million global followers, a skeleton who teaches us that life is a gift to be treasured, reminding us how lucky we all are to live in this present moment. For readers of The Book of Gifts and The Little Frog’s Guide to Self Care. In this poignant,...
    Hardback
    $4299
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    12% off
    Lessons on Living
    Bestselling author Nigel Latta's simple psychological toolkit for life's ups and downs. Over thirty years working as a clinical psychologist, Nigel Latta assembled a personal toolkit based on three simple principles. These principles helped him to be more resilient, joyful, and attuned to what matters most. The same principles have helped him through some difficult times as well, such as...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Winner's Formula
    The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
    The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a profound exploration of life’s universal lessons, delicately illustrated and rich with narrative depth. This heartfelt story introduces readers to four unlikely friends: a curious boy, a tiny yet thoughtful mole, a wary fox, and a wise horse. Together, they find themselves traversing challenging and sometimes treacherous...
    Hardback
    $4000
    Elsewhere:
    $4500
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    23% off
    1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four
    In the drab and oppressive world of 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell introduces us to Winston Smith, a man haunted by the omnipresent surveillance and control exercised by the Party and its enigmatic leader, Big Brother. Winston works diligently at the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to alter historical records to fit the ever-changing narrative dictated by the...
    Paperback
    $1000
    Usually:
    $1299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    21% off
    Aroha
    Aroha by Dr Hinemoa Elder is an enlightening exploration of timeless Maori wisdom, intricately woven into a contemporary context. This top-selling non-fiction title from New Zealand in 2021 introduces readers to 52 traditional Maori proverbs, known as whakataukΔ«, each offering a profound lesson for every week of the year. Dr Elder, a respected Maori psychiatrist, delves into these powerful sayings...
    Hardback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Creative Act
    Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed...
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Strangers
    The must-read memoir of the end of a marriage and the start of a personal revolution, based on the iconic Modern Love essay in the New York Times and perfect for fans of Glennon Doyle. "A beautifully written eulogy for the loss of a relationship" β€” Joyce Carol Oates How do we go on when a loved one betrays us?...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Man's Search For Meaning
    Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl is a profound, thought-provoking memoir and psychological exploration that delves into the harrowing experiences of life in Nazi concentration camps, intertwined with the author’s groundbreaking theories on existential psychology. The book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, offering a beacon of hope and a roadmap for finding purpose...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Eat Your Ice Cream
    The New York Times bestseller that presents a bold new vision for living well and ageing with purpose from a world-renowned health expert THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From a leading doctor and world-renowned health expert, the simple, uplifting and practical guide to cutting through the wellness noise, living well and ageing with purpose. β€˜Essential reading for anyone who...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Godel, Escher, Bach
    Godel, Escher, Bach, by Douglas R. Hofstadter, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that delves into the complex interplay between the works and ideas of three brilliant minds: mathematician Kurt GΓΆdel, artist M. C. Escher, and composer Johann Sebastian Bach. This interdisciplinary treatise embarks on a journey through a labyrinth of mathematical theorems, artful prints, and intricate compositions, weaving them together...
    Paperback
    $4200
    Elsewhere:
    $4999
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.