Frege: An Introduction to the Founder of Modern Analytic Philosophy

This volume is a concise introduction to the thought of Gottlob Frege, one of the most influential philosophers of the twentieth century. The chapters follow Frege′s thought in chronological sequence, from the nature of logic, proof and language in Concept Scripts I and II, to The Foundations of Arithmetic, The Basic Laws of Arithmetic, and finally Logical Investigations. Written by Anthony Kenny, a leading figure in contemporary philosophy, this volume guides the reader through an accessible explanation and assessment of Frege′s radical and lasting contributions to our understanding of language, meaning, and the foundations of arithmetic.

Preface. Acknowledgements. Abbreviations in References to Works of Frege. 1. Biographical Introduction to Frege′s Philosophy. 2. Concept Script, I. 3. Concept Script, II 4. The Foundations of Arithmetic, I. 5. The Foundations of Arithmetic, II. 6. Function, Concept and Object. 7. Sense and Reference. 8. Grundgesetze der Arithmetik, I. 9. Grundgesetze der Arithmetik, II. 10. Logical Investigations, I. 11. Logical Investigations,II. 12. Frege′s Acheivement. Appendices. I. Frege′s Symbolic Notation. II. A Note on Translation. Index.

Anthony Kenny is Pro–vice–Chancellor of the University of Oxford. For many years he was a philosophy tutor at Balliol College, of which he became Master. A former President of the British Academy, he was until recently Chairman of the Board of the British Library. He has written a number of influential books on the history of philosophy, and is editor of The Wittgenstein Reader (Blackwell, 1994) and author of the acclaimed A Brief History of Western Philosophy (Blackwell, 1998).

"There is nothing comparable for giving students not only an overview of Frege′s achievements, but also a first access to the foundational problems on which he wrote. Kenny′s prose is peerless in this regard – accurate, transparently accessible and, of course, informed by a real appreciation of the central importance of the matters Frege was writing about. It should be compulsory reading for all students of philosophy." Michael Luntley, University of Warwick