Stewart Umphrey's Complexity and Analysis is an astounding achievement, a modern guide for those who are perplexed (whether they know it or not) about first philosophy. Umphrey's work is original, informed, critical, clear, and never loses sight of the whole. He argues that analysis is necessarily limited (with reasons analysts will understand), explores the problem of where it is possible to begin philosophy, and proceeds from an examination of the alternatives faced at each stage of the inquiry. His work is critically informed by the philosophical tradition and by contemporary work in a variety of fields; conclusions are drawn where evident, judgment is suspended whenever alternatives remain. Umphrey's intellect is rare in this age of specialization; he is a modern Leibniz, an exception to the complementarity between breadth and depth.

William J. Edgar, SUNY - Geneseo, SUNY - Geneseo

Umphrey's work is a richly analytical, informative, and imaginative work. It is sensitive to the full range of experience. Dissecting the near, umphrey keeps an eye on the remote. Examining hypotheses, he is mindful of the alternatives. Arguing for definite views, he recognizes their shortcomings. . . Umphrey's work is of great merit.

Philosophy in Review

It [Complexity and Analysis] is a first-rate work, written with clarity, elegance, and grace on a supremely important topic. . . .The scope of Umphrey's book is vast but there is no sacrifice of depth. Numerous topics are discussed, which is to be expected and indeed is necessary in a work on the topic of complexity, and Umphrey's knowledge of the relevant literature is impressive. . . . Umphrey's discussion of Hegel alone can stand by itself as an important contribution to philosophy.

Panayot Butchvarov, University of Iowa