A Brief Text-Book of Logic and Mental Philosophy (Classic Reprint) Paperback – 20 May 2012

I have to review this book in two respects: with respect to the author's work itself and with respect to the quality of the reprinted product.With respect to the quality of the reprinted product: Bear in mind that the original work is from 1891, I believe. This reprint includes the occasional typo, and the format is not great-looking. However, I purchased it new for something like $9, so I can't complain at all.With respect to the author's work itself: It's great as a concise introduction to or reference of Scholastic doctrines. It lends itself to memorization of important definitions. However, Fr. Coppens' position that the distinction between essence and existence is only virtual, as well as the seeming restriction of analogy to analogy of attribution without inclusion of the stricter sense of analogy as analogy of proper proportionality, were disconcerting. If I'm in any way misunderstanding Fr. Coppens' positions here I certainly regret it, but I don't think I am.Overall, I recommend it for a concise explanation of formal & critical logic, metaphysics, etc., though not without supplementing the work with other Scholastic treatises that contain the more traditional doctrines of the real distinction between essence and existence and analogy of being.

This work of Charles Coppens, S.J, is well done and important. The text leads from dialectics to critical logic, to pscychology, to cosmology, and finally to natural theology. The style calls to mind that of the later Scholastics. Coppens presents a thesis and argues for it. Then he presents objections, and demonstrates their error. All told, this is a most excellent short introductory to the very important topic of philosophia perennis. Read it, and be richly blessed and well informed by the experience.