This set offers the reader a way into the secondary literature on Russell. It features a critical commentary on Russell's life and influence, as well as his work on logic, the philosophy of mathematics, metaphysics, epistemology, the history of philosophy, ethics, education, religion and politics. The books feature biographies of Russell by Broad, Gandy, Kreisel and Ayer, detailing the major events of Russell's life and introducing the main themes of his writings. Wood and Blackwell analyze the Russell's philosophical development, as well as recounting the relationship he had with Ludwig...

The idea of enlightenment entails liberty, equality, rationalism, secularism, and the connection between knowledge and human well being. In spite of the setbacks of revolutionary violence, political mass murder, and two world wars, the spread of enlightenment values has become the yardstick by which moral, political, and even scientific advances are measured. Indeed, most critiques of the enlightenment ideal point to failure in implementation rather than principle. By contrast, David Stove, in On Enlightenment, attacks the intellectual roots of enlightenment thought, to define the limitations...