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Murphy's book is good reading as an introduction to fundamental matters of philosophy. It is written in plain language. Although it avoids the use of big words, it is profound. Those who want a formal treatise or a detailed discussion of various concepts and of their use by various schools of philosophy must look elsewhere. Murphy's chief purpose is to discuss the possibility of rational belief and to offer criteria for such belief. Philosophy, to him, is belief in being guided by reason. His method is that of taking up certain propositions made in some recent publications and showing in what way these propositions are philosophically sound or unsound. He selects very representative authors. He warns against the skepticism which fails to differentiate between true and false, against anti-ethical attitudes which dispose of ethics by invoking the economic factor or the power motive, or by limiting human nature to what can be observed in animal experiments. There is appreciation of the value of the individual, as well as of the need for responsibility for other human beings with whom the individual can share common goods. He emphasizes the need for knowledge of the external world as well as the need for self-knowledge. The importance of experience is well balanced by the emphasis on correct reasoning and the need for testing out of concepts. There is a good discussion of certain theories of social philosophy which were very influential in the setting up of dictatorial governments in Europe in recent years. The book is a good example of the best thinking in present day American philosophy.
As the title implies, Morris Cohen's book is not a treatise on logic but one that deals with the outskirts of this domain. It is precisely for this reason that it may be recommended, because it is very thought-provoking and an excellent stimulant to one's curiosity to find out more about logic