Collected Essays on Philosophers

Colin Wilson's first book The Outsider was published to great critical acclaim in May 1956. It was the first of six philosophical books, known collectively as 'The Outsider Cycle', compiled by Wilson during the following decade. A summary volume, Introduction to the New Existentialism, appeared in 1966. During the 1970s, however, Wilson's interests became, on the surface, more varied, publishing books on criminology, psychology and the occult. But he always maintained a philosophical stance, irrespective of subject matter, and continued to write purely philosophical essays for journals, magazines, and symposia. This volume brings together, for the first time, his essays on seventeen philosophers, including some of those he met personally to discuss their ideas. In his essay on Spinoza he wrote: "Philosophers are never so entertaining - or so instructive - as when they are beating one another over the head." It is that statement, applied to this particular volume, that makes these essays, from England's only home-grown existential philosopher, so eminently readable, entertaining, instructive and, sometimes, controversial.