A Dictionary of Thought

Dagobert D. Runes

Jul. 2020 · Open Road Media

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An A-to-Z collection of thoughtful aphorisms and ruminations by the philosopher and founder of the Philosophical Library.
 
In this unique dictionary, philosopher Dagobert D. Runes attempts to define the contours of human thinking and morality. In a series of terms organized alphabetically, Runes systematically sets out his own musings on topics ranging from Abhorrence and Ability to Zeal, Zen, and Zero.
 
Each word is followed by up to several single-sentence aphorisms and occasionally a short essay. In his search for real verities and true humanity, Runes takes the reader on a thought-provoking voyage through the depths of the human mind. This is philosophy as intellectual soul-searching, unburdened by traditional manner and terminology. Sometimes baffling and frequently melancholy, it is always fascinating and inspiring.

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Dagobert D. Runes was born in Zastavna, Bukovina, Austria-Hungary (now in Ukraine), and received a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Vienna in 1924. In 1926 he emigrated to the United States, where he became editor of the Modern Thinker and later Current Digest. From 1931 to 1934 he was director of the Institute for Advanced Education in New York City, and in 1941 he founded the Philosophical Library, a spiritual organization and publishing house.

Runes published an English translation of Karl Marx’s On the Jewish Question under the title A World Without Jews, featuring an introduction that was clearly antagonistic to extreme Marxism and “its materialism,” yet he did not entirely negate Marxist theory. He also edited several works presenting the ideas and history of philosophy to a general audience, including his Dictionary of Philosophy.