World Philosophies

'As a work of reference, this will be invaluable. Smart's analysis of such crucial thinkers as Buddha, Confucius, Descartes and Derrida is imprecccable.' Karen Armstrong 'Imagine... all the philosophies of the world in a single book...it can stimulate our interest in aspects of philosohy which may be new to us, motivating us to be more open-minded...and to rethink our own worldviews.' The Philosopher's Magazine World Philosophies presents in one volume a superb introduction to all the world's major philosophical and religious traditions. Covering all corners of the globe, Ninian Smart's work offers a comprehensive and global philosophical and religious picture.In this revised and expanded second edition, a team of world renowned scholars assembled by the Editor Oliver Leaman have brought Ninian Smart's masterpiece up to date for the twenty-first century. Chapters have been revised by experts in the field to include recent philosophical developments, and the book includes a new bibliographic guide to resources in world philosophies. A brand new introduction which celebrates the career and writings of Ninian Smart, and his contribution to the study of world religions, helps set the work in context. Ninian Smart (1927-2000), was Emeritus Professor of Comparative Religion and of Religious Studies at the Universities of California and Lancaster and one of the world's most foremost scholars in religious studies. He was President of the American Academy of Religion for 2000, and authored many acclaimed books, including The Religious Experience, Dimensions of the Sacred and The World's Religions. Oliver Leaman is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky, and is the author most recently of Islam: The Key Concepts, Routledge 2008 (with Kecia Ali).Ninian Smart is the author of 'World Philosophies', published 2008 under ISBN 9780415411882 and ISBN 0415411882.