Here are the concepts that shaped civilization . . . the minds that made history . . . the thinkers, the thoughts, and the theories you need to know to understand the world we live in. Now you can get to the bottom of the big bang theory; find out where Freud's ideas were coming from, and where Einstein's may ultimately take us; demystify surrealism and structuralism, dialectic and deconstruction, communism and capitalism. With hundreds of entries, drawn from a wide range of fields - including religion, philosophy, psychology, economics, politics, history, art, literature, and science - The Dictionary of Important Ideas and Thinkers enables you to turn immediately to the term in question for a comprehensive description of its history, meaning, and context.--Hundreds of entries, alphabetically arranged, with key words and concepts highlighted and cross-referenced - more than two thousand in all--A special emphasis on multicultural influences and the long-neglected impact of women on the history of ideas --A concise bibliography of further readings and resources--A comprehensive index giving easy access to all key terms and names