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Philosophy: Books

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The University of Manchester Library is home to a significant collection of books for Philosophy.

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Front Cover of The Social Production of Knowledge in a Neoliberal Age

The Social Production of Knowledge in a Neoliberal Age

This book critically examines the impact of neoliberalism on higher education, highlighting how market-driven reforms have led to increased bureaucracy and managerial control rather than individual empowerment. It explores how universities have been reshaped to serve economic interests, often at the expense of critical thinking and public engagement. The authors argue that these changes reflect authoritarian tendencies within neoliberalism, now intensified by cultural and political pressures that undermine the production of critical knowledge. The volume also considers possibilities for resistance and progressive transformation within the university sector. (Provided by Publisher.)

Front Cover of The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Responsibility

The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Responsibility

Philosophical inquiry into the theory and practice of responsibility is a major and fast-growing area of study. It spans perennial philosophical, political, and legal questions about free will and agency as well as more recent, controversial topics such as coercion, ignorance, and responsibility for historical injustices. The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Responsibility is an outstanding survey and exploration of these issues and more. Comprised of forty-one chapters by an international team of contributors, the Handbook is divided into three clear parts - on the history, theory, and practice of responsibility - within which the following key areas are examined: responsibility and wrongdoing responsibility and determinism the scope of responsibility individuals and society the concepts of responsibility the conditions and challenges of responsibility being and holding responsible the ethics and politics of responsibility responsibility in the law. Including suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Responsibility provides an extremely useful guide to the topic. It will be valuable reading for students and researchers in philosophy and applied ethics, as well as for those in related disciplines such as politics, law, and policymaking (Provided by Publisher).

Front Cover of Being Evil: A Philosophical Perspective

Being Evil: A Philosophical Perspective

We regularly encounter appalling wrongdoing, with the media offering a depressing parade of violent assault, rape, and murder. Yet sometimes even the cynical and world-weary amongst us are taken aback. Sometimes we confront a crime so terrible, so horrendous, so deeply wrong, that we reach for the word 'evil'. The 9/11 terrorist attacks were not merely wrong, but evil. A serial killer who tortures their victims is not merely a bad person. They are evil. And as the Holocaust showed us, we must remain vigilant against the threat of evil. But what exactly is it? If we use the word 'evil', are we buying into a naive Manichean worldview, in which two cosmic forces of good and evil are pitted against one another? Are we guilty of demonizing our enemies? How does 'evil' go beyond what is merely bad or wrong? This book explores the answers that philosophers have offered to these questions. Luke Russell discusses why some philosophers think that evil is a myth or a fantasy, while others think that evil is real, and is a concept that plays an important role in contemporary secular morality. Along the way he asks whether evil is always horrific and incomprehensible, or if it can be banal. Considering if there is a special psychological hallmark that sets the evildoers apart from the rest of us, Russell also engages with ongoing discussions over psychopathy and empathy, analysing the psychology behind evildoing (Provided by Publisher).

This title was acquired through the Library's Order a Book service.

Front cover of Experiments in Moral and Political Philosophy

Experiments in Moral and Political Philosophy

This volume presents new research on the use of experimental methodologies in moral and social philosophy. The contributions reflect the growing plurality of methodologies and strategies for implementing experimental work on morality to new domains, problems, and topics. Philosophers are exploring the ways in which empirical approaches can transform our idea of the good, our understanding of the social nature of norms and morality, as well as our methods of fulfilling ethical goals. The chapters in this volume extend experimental work on morality to previously underexplored areas. The contributions in Part 1 explore the methods and foundations of experimental work in areas such as folk moral judgments, metaethical beliefs, moral explanations, and reflective equilibrium. Part 2 focuses on issues in normative ethics, legal, and political philosophy such as virtue ethics, utilitarianism, theories of justice, and criminal responsibility. Finally, the chapters in Part 3 tackle various applied ethical issues including feminist X-Phi, animal welfare, experimental bioethics, and self-driving cars. Experiments in Moral and Political Philosophy will be of interest to scholars and advanced students working in ethics, applied ethics, experimental philosophy, social and political philosophy, and philosophy of law (Provided by Publisher).

Front cover of The German Idealists : Is Patriotism Still Relevant?

The German Idealists : Is Patriotism Still Relevant?

The German Idealists - Is Patriotism Still Contemporary? takes you on an exciting journey into the time of the Napoleonic occupation and shows you how important thinkers such as Fichte, Schelling and Hegel shaped not only philosophy but also the self-image of an entire nation. In a changing world, this book asks the important questions: What does patriotism mean in a globalized society? How can we preserve our identity and values while being open to the challenges of the present? This book is a must for anyone interested in philosophy, history and the great ideas of humanity. Let yourself be inspired by the thoughts of the German Idealists and find out what patriotism means today - beyond nationalism, but full of love for freedom, justice and humanity. (Provided by Publisher.)

This title was acquired by the Library's Order a Book service.

Locating and borrowing books

You can use Library Search to search for both print and eBooks as well as a range of other resources including articles, journals, and databases.

Guide to printed collections

The Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification scheme (Dewey for short) to arrange books and other resources on the shelves so you can locate them easily.

The vast majority of books relating to Philosophy and related subjects can be found in the Main Library.

 

Subject Areas Classmark(s) Location
Philosophy and psychology 100 - 109 Main Library - Blue Area - Floor 1
Ancient, medieval and eastern philosophy 180 - 189 Main Library - Blue Area - Floor 2

 

More information: Locating books on shelves

For help with finding your way around the Main Library, please use our new Interactive Map.

Course reading lists

You can access your course reading lists in Blackboard: 

Access your Reading Lists

Reading Lists

E-book collections

The Library provides access to numerous e-book collections that host many titles relating to Philosophy and related subjects. Follow this link to browse different collections you can explore to find e-books relating to your studies. 

E-book collections 

E-book collections

Order a Book

If the Library doesn't already hold a copy of the book you need, fill in the Order a Book form and we will get it for you.

University staff should use the Order a Book (Staff) form.

Order a Book

Theses and dissertations

Theses can be a valuable source of information for your research and are very useful points of reference for when you come to write your own thesis.

For detailed information on how to access theses from the University of Manchester, and from other universities in the UK and internationally, please visit our Theses Library Guide

 

Theses

 

 

Doctoral/Research Theses

  • Electronic versions of many open-access University of Manchester research theses, submitted from the 2010 session onwards, are available on Research Explorer, the University of Manchester’s research database.

 

Theses from other UK/International Institutions

  • ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global (PQDT Global)

    A searchable and browsable database of dissertations and theses from around the world, spanning from 1743 to the present day. It also offers full text for graduate works added since 1997, along with selected full text for works written prior to 1997. It contains a significant amount of new international dissertations and theses both in citations and in full text. Designated as an official offsite repository for the U.S. Library of Congress, PQDT Global offers comprehensive historic and ongoing coverage for North American works and significant and growing international coverage from a multiyear program of expanding partnerships with international universities and national associations.