Reviewer's comments: In the four issues examined, the number of articles per issue varied a lot: one had two articles, one had six and two had 16. The average length of papers was 10 pages; however, papers ranged from two to 74 pages long. Almost all of the papers were extremely technical. There were several papers on set theory as well as several on model theory. There were also papers on recursive function theory, type theory, modal logic, temporal logic, relevance logic, mereology, protothetic, syllogistic logic, intuitionistic logic and other topics. Three articles were not particularly technical: one was on analyticity and analytical truth, another on implication and presupposition, and a third on Russell's first theory of denoting and quantification. The length of time between receipt of articles and publication varied from one and one-half to six years. The average length of time was two and one-half years.
Judged by editorial statements and journal issues, the editors of this journal are more interested in receiving articles concerned with applying formal logic to natural language than are the editors of The Journal of Symbolic Logic. (DB)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,100. Focus: General. Editorial address: Prof. Hector-Neri Castaneda, Department of Philosophy, Indiana University, Sycamore 126, Bloomington, IN 47405. Send original and one copy prepared according to instructions in Nous, accompanied by self-addressed stamped envelope for manuscript's return and $1.00 from subscribers or $4.00 from non-subscribers to cover handling. Processing time: 2-3 months. Blind reviewing if contributors request it. Referees' comments edited and sent anonymously, except for Prof. Castaneda's additional comments and suggestions. Acceptance rate: 40%. Average wait till publication: 1 to 1-1/2 years. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: yes, topics not announced in advance. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Nous publishes quality essays and brief discussions on philosophical problems regardless of the author's philosophical school or point of view. From time to time Nous will publish symposia, surveys of work recently done on specially selected philosophical topics, critical reviews of recent books and catalogues of recent publications in philosophy.
Questionnaire summary: Journal seeks work in any area of philosophy, conceived as a network of problems, rather than a history of issues. (Its motto is "Nihil philosophicum alienum a nobis putamus.") Editor or editorial board reject 10% of papers when screening to make sure papers formulate a well-defined problem and appear to advance a new solution, a new slant or some insightful way of looking at the problem. The rest go to two external reviewers. "If at least one referee explains clearly why the paper is weak, it is declined. If the two referees are somewhat doubtful, sometimes a third referee is brought in. The general principle is this: we prefer to err by not publishing a good paper (which in any case will be published in another good journal) rather than publishing a paper that doesn't advance the discussion of the issues beyond the level it has reached in Nous." Major revisions requested of 30 percent of accepted manuscripts. Most common reason for rejection is that paper doesn't advance the discussion beyond the level reached in Nous or other journals.
Book review policy is unusual: all reviews sent to the author for inspection; author's response sent, unedited, to the reviewer. Journal uses volunteer reviewers and would print unrequested reviews if they conformed to journal's conception of reviews and were revised to take into consideration any legitimate complaints of the author. Three percent of invited reviews rejected.
Reviewer's comments: Nous continues to emphasize technical work on problems of current interest among analytic philosophers in the areas of philosophy of language , metaphysics, philosophy of logic and epistemology. This is, however, only an emphasis, not an exclusive interest. Another major interest is in the history of philosophy (three articles in 1985). Nous also includes articles using new techniques or approaches in analytic philosophy to discuss old problems. For example, an article by Patrick Grim applies recent work on indexicals to the question whether there can be an omniscient being.
The first issue of each volume contains papers and abstracts of papers selected from those to be presented at the APA Central (formerly Western) Division Meetings. The three remaining issues in 1985 contained 22 articles and one "Critical Study"--an article-length book review. The 1985 volume also contained 27 shorter book reviews of one to eight pages. According to Editor Castaneda, aside from a brief discussion of an article previously published in Nous that may appear from time to time, publication of discussion notes has been essentially discontinued. In 1985 only one such discussion note appeared, none the previous year. The 1985 articles ranged in length from five to 39 pages, with the average length about 18 pages. Except for an occasional article with extensive notes, most articles include only minimal notes. References are collected at the end of each article. (TT)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 850. Focus: General. Editorial address: School of Philosophy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0451. Send two doublespaced copies with notes at end and self-addressed stamped envelope for manuscript's return. Follow MLA style. Processing time: 2-3 months. Blind reviewing except when reviewer wants to be known to author. Referees' comments in most cases sent. Acceptance rate: 8%. Average wait till publication: 6-12 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: occasionally (1/7 of time), with 20-30% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 9/1. Book reviews: no.
Editorial statement: Original manuscripts of high quality from all areas of philosophy will be considered. They must not be submitted simultaneously elsewhere. As a general rule, manuscripts should be limited to 30 pages, including notes.
Questionnaire summary: Incoming manuscripts acknowledged; editors reject 70 percent on preliminary reading and send 30 percent out to one external reviewer. Most manuscripts rejected for lack of quality; major revisions occasionally requested.
Reviewer's comments: (Based on the 1984 issues--this reviewer's library received copies 13 to 18 months later than dates printed on covers.) The four issues in the 1984 volume contain 30 articles. There are no discussion notes or reviews as such, though one article amounted to a discussion of a previous PPQ article. Articles that rely on a large literature often collect at the end a list of references; most articles include about a page of notes. Many articles are divided into numbered sections, sometimes with subheading. Excluding notes and references, the average article contains 6,000 to 10,000 words.
Of the 30 articles surveyed, four were chiefly historical (on Plato, Locke, Reid, Kant and Russell). No articles considered hermeneutics, phenomenology or speculative metaphysics. About a quarter of the articles concerned relativism and realism (discussing Quine, Davidson, Dummett, Putnam). Another quarter fell within philosophy of language (discussing Tarski, Stalnaker, Kripke, Chomsky, Searle). Another quarter fell within epistemology or philosophical psychology. There was a smattering of articles in fields like ethics, philosophy of religion and metaphysics.
The usual article attacks a rather large question, though the occasional article will examine a particular author, book or theory. Articles are written almost exclusively with an analytic approach. Moderate use of technical symbols from formal logic and its familiar extensions is acceptable. Some papers become moderately technical. References do not stray far beyond philosophy. There is about one proofreading error per page. (SHV)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 700. Focus: General. Editorial address: Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52100, Israel. Send two doublespaced copies and a 100-word abstract. Processing time: varies. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers, but reviewers' names always concealed from authors. Contributors always receive referees' comments, sometimes with a few sentences deleted. Acceptance rate: 25%. Average wait till publication: 1-1/2 to 2 years. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: occasionally, topics not announced in advance. Few invited pieces. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Philosophia publishes contributions (articles, discussion notes, critical studies, book reviews, etc.) in analytic philosophy from all parts of the world.
Questionnaire summary: Greatest preference for work on original issues and replies to articles in Philosophia; prefers analytic philosophy to non-analytic philosophy. Somewhat prefers articles by well-known philosophers; no geographical preferences. Editor screens incoming manuscripts, checking for reasonable content, form and length and rejecting one-fourth and accepting one-fourth. The rest go out to one or two referees, who are not asked to return a manuscript if they cannot read it within a certain time. Author's reply to referees' comments considered. Papers needing major revisions usually rejected. Occasionally editor suggests a specialized journal for a rejected paper. Most common reasons for rejection are negative report about lack of new insight or significant mistakes.
Journal uses volunteers for book reviews; an unrequested review would have to be a very interesting review of a recent book in order to be printed. Almost no invited reviews rejected or sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 22 regular articles, totalling 319 pages, one reply of two pages, 16 book reviews, totalling 104 pages and three pieces in the "Problem Section," totalling 24 pages.
Reviewer's comments: Philosophia offers articles on a wide variety of topics within analytic philosophy in a variety of formats (articles, discussion notes, critical studies, book reviews and problem sections). The subject matter of the various articles appears to be fairly well balanced, so that no one area or particular topic dominates the pages of the journal. Historical studies are included, as are occasional articles and reviews on non-analytic philosophy.
In Volume 15 (1985-6), full-length articles are about 15-20 pages long, although longer ones occasionally appear. Discussion pieces include comments on books and non-Philosophia journal articles as well as on work previously published in Philosophia. About five of the Volume 15 articles can be classed as discussion pieces. In the "problem sections," contributors present philosophical paradoxes and puzzles or offer proposed solutions or comments on those previously presented. (Compare the similar numbered problem pieces in Analysis.) (TT)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 725. Focus: All areas of philosophy. Editorial address: A.J. Ellis, Moral Philosophy Department, The University, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9AL, Scotland. Acceptance rate: nearly 100%. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: occasionally, with almost 100% of articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Almost all contributions invited.
Editorial statement: Philosophical Books was founded by the Analysis Committee in 1960. The journal aims to provide prompt, scholarly reviews of new professional books and journals in philosophy and the history of philosophy, and it offers a more extensive review coverage than other journals in this field. It includes a regular Discussion feature in which the authors of selected titles have the opportunity to reply to reviewers. Special issues are sometimes devoted to a single theme.
Questionnaire summary: Philosophical Books publishes only book reviews. It welcomes offers to review particular books, or books in certain areas of philosophy. Reviews should be 800-1500 words long. No invited reviews rejected, some occasionally sent back for very minor revisions. For unsolicited reviews, book should be fairly recent and important and review should be up to journal's standard.
Reviewer's comments: In the four issues published yearly, Philosophical Books presents 20 to 25 book reviews per issue. Reviews run about two pages each. The books reviewed include British and American publications. Edited collections are included. The lag between a book's publication date and its review is usually under one year. Reviews are categorized under History of Philosophy and Contemporary Philosophy, with most reviews in each issue in the second category. Books in ethics are most frequently reviewed. During 1985, no feminist philosophy books were reviewed although reviews by women philosophers were published. (SAW)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 450-500. Focus: General. Editorial address: Department of Philosophy, University College of Swansea, Singleton Park, Swansea, Wales, or G. Kent Kendl, Department of Philosophy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57006. Processing time: one month. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers, reviewers' names concealed from authors. Comments sent if an editor so wishes. Acceptance rate: 20%. Average wait till publication: 1-1/2 to 2 years. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: once every two or three years, with no articles invited, topics announced in advance. No invited articles. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Publishes articles in Wittgensteinian spirit, with this interpreted in a very broad sense; prefers articles by "name" philosophers. All incoming manuscripts read by three assessors on editorial staff, who decide to accept or reject. Major revisions requested very seldom. Journal would use the services of qualified volunteers for book reviews and never rejects invited reviews or sends them back for revision. Would print uninvited review if editors were impressed by it and had not assigned that book to anyone yet.
In the past year, journal published 13 regular articles, averaging 15 pages each, two replies, about seven pages each and 10 book reviews, about five pages each.
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,600. Focus: Social and political philosophy, aesthetics, ethics, applied philosophy, philosophy of economics and feminist philosophy. Editorial address: Box 239, Baruch College of CUNY, 17 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10010. Send three doublespaced copies with wide margins, and return postage. Processing time: 4 months. Blind reviewing. Authors receive referees' comments that are likely to be useful or informative for them. Acceptance rate: 20%. Average wait till publication: 4 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: annually, with 80% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: usually, 4/1. Book reviews: no.
Editorial statement: The Philosophical Forum publishes contributions of all types: critical and constructive, systematic and fragmentary, speculative and scholarly, substantive and historical. In particular, the editors want to give new voices a chance to be heard, to encourage the exchange of views among philosophers and practitioners in other fields of the humanities, the natural and social sciences, education, religious studies and the arts; and to stimulate a broader critical perspective in philosophy itself and in those other domains of thought and action in which we live our lives and pursue our hopes. As an antidote to dogmatism and parochialism, we foster a deliberate pluralism and encourage boundary violations at the borders of philosophical canon. Our purpose: openminded discussion which aims not so much at agreement as at lively response.
Questionnaire summary: Journal prefers work on philosophical issues to history of philosophy pieces, criticisms of articles in The Philosophical Forum to articles in other journals and non-analytic philosophy to analytic philosophy. Seeks articles that are clear, original and, above all, interesting; authors should clearly articulate their position, avoid jargon or unnecessary technicalities, shun fashion and offer clear and rigorous arguments. Internal editorial board reviews incoming manuscripts, rejecting 40 percent, selects appropriate outside referees for the rest and reaches its decision in the light of referees' comments. When the timeliness and quality of a manuscript necessitate an expedited process, it may be accepted without outside reviews. Major revisions usually only suggested; minor revisions requested of about 40 percent of accepted articles. Articles most often rejected for being unoriginal, primarily expository or philosophically dull.
Reviewer's comments: The Philosophical Forum usually has four or five articles per issue. The Fall-Winter 1984-85 issue was a double one on the Holocaust. Most of that issue's ten contributors had backgrounds in philosophy, and as in most other issues, most articles used an analytical philosophical approach. Topics covered included those in ethics and social and political philosophy. In Spring 1985, there were five articles on sexuality-slavery and Marcuse and Hegel. The Summer 1985 issue included three articles on Marx, which averaged 20 pages. Familiarity with philosophical literature is sometimes assumed in the discussions. Articles make extensive use of footnotes and frequent use of references. (GW)
Frequency: 3/year. Circulation: 350. Focus: General. Editorial address: University of the Witwatersrand, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, 2001 South Africa. Send two nonreturnable copies. Processing time: 5-6 weeks. Blind reviewing at author's request ("but may delay a decision"). Authors of rejected or conditionally accepted papers receive referees' comments when potentially helpful. Acceptance rate: 25%. Average wait till publication: 10 months. Accepted authors should wait: normally 12 months. Special topic issues: perhaps in future; topics would be announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 3/1. No galleys to authors yet. Book reviews: no.
Editorial statement: Philosophical Papers is issued three times a year and publishes papers, including articles, notes and critical studies, in the broad analytical tradition. Although Philosophical Papers is based in South Africa, it is not associated with the South African Government, and the members of the Editorial Board regard the policy of Apartheid as an infringement of human, civil and academic rights and an affront to human dignity. A statement to this effect appears prominently in each issue of the journal.
Questionnaire summary: Analytic philosophy only; journal particularly seeks more papers in social and political philosophy and ethics. Replies to articles in other journals acceptable. Editors read and accept or reject some papers, send those outside their areas of expertise to one or two referees. Referees' reports and recommendations normally accepted unless plainly unjust. One in eight accepted papers are accepted subject to major revisions. Limit of 10,000 words for articles. Editors estimate they will publish 15 regular articles, averaging 13-14 pages each, in 1986.
Frequency: 4/year. Focus: General. Editorial address: The University of St. Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9AL. Enclose self-addressed envelope and postage or International Reply Coupons for return of submissions. Processing time: about 1 month. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers; reviewers' names always concealed from authors. Referees' comments sent on, but not always in full, when Executive Editor thinks they would be helpful. Average wait till publication: 15 months. Accepted authors should wait: no rule. Special topic issues: irregularly, with less than 10% of articles invited, topics usually announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 22/1. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Welcomes articles in applied philosophy; no nonanalytic philosophy or replies to articles in other journals. Incoming articles acknowledged, passed to a reader, usually a member of the editorial board, sometimes to a second reader. Chairman makes final decision. To pass screening, manuscript must be original, prima facie cogent, intelligible to the philosophical community in general and not excessively long. Rejections may be provisional; most common reason for rejection is lack of originality. Book reviews by invitation only.
In the past year, journal published 23 regular articles, averaging 14.6 pages, nine replies, averaging 6.4 pages, 22 book reviews, averaging 2.7 pages and four critical studies, about 14.7 pages long each.
Reviewer's comments: An issue of The Philosophical Quarterly usually contains several articles, discussions and reviews. The articles, which may be on historical figures as well as contemporary topics in the fields of ethics, metaphysics and epistemology, largely reflect Anglo-American philosophical orientations. They are tightly argued, often technical essays, frequently less than 15 pages, but sometimes up to 30. They uniformly exhibit philosophical sophistication and conversance with pertinent literature. The journal offers an annual essay prize. (RP)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 3,000. Focus: Most areas of philosophy. Editorial address: 220 Goldwin Smith Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. Manuscripts should be doublespaced throughout with wide margins; follow journal's style for quotation marks. Processing time: 2-3 months. Blind reviewing. Acceptance rate: 5%. Average wait till publication: 6-9 months. Accepted authors should wait: 3 months. Special topic issues: none. No invited articles. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Analytic philosophy only; no replies to articles in other journals. Prefers work on new and currently popular issues; also likes work on traditional issues with a new approach and replies to articles in The Philosophical Review. Incoming articles prepared for blind review and read by two editors before author's name is revealed. Exceptional articles receive comments. Editors look for exceptionally well-written articles that present arguments well. Material must not have appeared elsewhere in book or article form. Manuscripts usually rejected for being unoriginal, poorly written or poorly argued.
No invited book reviews rejected, five percent sent back for revision. Unrequested reviews might be printed if they were exceptionally well written and pertinent to subject matter, but in general journal does not want volunteers for book reviews.
Reviewer's comments: In 1985 the journal published 12 articles and one discussion piece. Their average length was 26 pages; the range in length was 14 to 52 pages. The 46 book reviews published averaged three and a half pages. Articles were on topic in ethics (four), philosophy of logic or mathematics (three), metaphysics (two), philosophy of psychology (two), action theory, aesthetics and philosophy of science. Three of these were historically oriented. Two articles were to a large extent critical. Most articles advanced original theses, defending them by careful argument and analysis. Articles are accessible to philosophers who do not specialize in the area of philosophy with which the article is concerned. The journal's type is very easy to read. (MR)
Frequency: 6/year. Circulation: 900. Focus: Epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of mind, of language and of math and science. Editorial address: John L. Pollock, Department of Philosophy, 213 Social Sciences Building, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.
Editorial statement: Philosophical Studies was founded in 1950 by Herbert Feigl and Wilfred Sellars to provide a periodical dedicated to work in analytic philosophy. The journal is devoted to the quick publication of analytical contributions, particularly (but not exclusively) in epistemology, philosophical logic, the philosophy of language and ethics. Papers applying formal techniques to philosophical problems are particularly welcome. The principal aim is to publish articles that are models of clarity and precision in dealing with some significant philosophical issues. Articles in the journal are intelligible to philosophers whose expertise lies outside the subject matter of the article. It is intended that a diligent reader of the journal will be kept informed of the major problems and contributions of contemporary analytic philosophy.
Reviewer's comments: Philosophical Studies publishes articles in epistemology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of language and, to a lesser extent, moral philosophy. Like the Australasian Journal of Philosophy, its approach is analytic and topical, although it tends to eschew symbolisms more so than AJP. Phil Studies, unlike AJP, does not publish a separate section for discussion papers or book reviews. However, some of the articles are critical discussions of books and previously published papers. Submissions vary in length, although most papers are in the 12- to 15-page range. Extensive notes and a separate bibliography are included at the end of each piece. Time from receipt to publication seems to average 10 months. Each issue contains about nine articles. (LK)
Circulation: 300. Editorial address: 127 Kimpel Hall, Fayetteville, AK 72701. Special topics only, with all articles invited; topics announced in advance. No unsolicited articles or book reviews.
Frequency: 4/year. Focus: General. Editorial address: Mr. Renford Bambrough, Royal Institute of Philosophy, 14 Gordon Square, London WC1H OAG, England. Send one doublespaced typescript, retaining copy for checking proofs. See details on citation and quotation style in journal. Enclose self-addressed envelope and postage or International Reply Coupons. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: The editorial policy of the journal pursues the aims of the Institute: to promote the study of philosophy in all its branches: logic, metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, social and political philosophy and the philosophies of religion, science, history, language, mind and education. The Institute is not committed to any school or method and its membership is not restricted to those with special qualifications in philosophy. Contributors are expected to avoid all needless technicality.
Reviewer's comments: Volume 60 (1985, four issues) contains 24 articles (six in each issue) ranging in length from eight to 22 pages, with most between 14 and 17 pages. In addition, each issue has three or four discussion notes (averaging four pages) and five to seven book reviews (mostly two pages, but up to seven pages). Among the article authors, contributors from the United Kingdom dominate (12 of the 24 as against seven from the U.S., three from Australia and two from New Zealand) and even more in the discussion notes (11 of 15 from the U.K.). All contributors have institutional affiliation. Two are graduate students. Each issue also contains an editorial (on topics ranging from eugenics to the career value of philosophy), booknotes and conference announcements.
Topics vary widely, including ethics (six articles), philosophy of mind (four), political philosophy (three), philosophy of science, philosophy of logic, philosophy of literary criticism, metaphysics and historical philosophers (Berkeley, Rousseau). Some are difficult to classify (e.g., an article on "Angels" that goes from Aquinas through Hobbes, Locke and Kant to Davidson). Footnotes are brief and jargon is discouraged. (The editor complains of having to replace "iff" with "if and only if" and observes, "We have a statutory duty as well as an ingrained inclination to censor needless technicality.") Humor appears to be welcomed. (FOC)
Frequency: 2/year. Circulation: 1,500. Focus: Philosophy and literature. Editorial address: Denis Dutton, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, or Patrick Henry, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Send two high-quality, nonreturnable copies or stamps or funds for return postage; computer printouts accepted if letter quality and unjustified. Processing time: 3-4 months. Blind reviewing only if author prepares manuscript for it; reviewers' names sometimes concealed from authors. Referees' comments not sent. Acceptance rate: 10%. Average wait till publication: one year or less. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: none. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 10/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Philosophy and Literature welcomes contributions appropriate to the journal. These may include philosophical interpretations of literature, literary investigations of classic works of philosophy, articles on the aesthetics of literature, philosophy of language relevant to literature and the theory of criticism. Though the journal owes allegiance to no particular school or style of criticism or philosophy, its editors prefer contributions free of jargon or needless technicality.
Questionnaire summary: Journal seeks work on original issues, replies to articles in Philosophy and Literature and articles by well-known philosophers. No replies to articles in other journals. Editor reads all incoming manuscripts, looking for interesting, well-written articles relevant to the aims of the journal, rejecting 50 percent and sending 40 percent to one or two external reviewers. Ten percent of manuscripts rejected for inappropriate manuscript preparation and an equal number for excessive length. Major revisions requested five percent of the time.
Volunteers routinely used for book reviews; unrequested reviews printed when editors like them. Of invited reviews, 10 percent rejected, 10 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 17 regular articles, about 12 pages each, five replies, about five pages each and 42 book reviews, around 1-1/2 pages each.
Reviewer's comments: Number 2 of Volume 9 (October 1985) and Number 1 of Volume 10 (April 1986) each contained five articles ranging from seven to 23 pages. In a section entitled "Notes and Fragments" there were two articles in each issue, two to eight pages long. Footnotes took up a quarter of a page to 1-1/2 pages of additional space. Six articles discussed or were influenced by contemporary French thought (mainly Derrida) and two addressed hermeneutic theory (Gadamer). Other articles focussed on standard figures such as Plato and Kant. The style of the articles varied--some were straightforwardly argumentative (traditionally "philosophical"), some more literary in tone and one was written in an experimental, "poetic" style. (TL)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,800. Focus: General. Editorial address: Box 1947, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912. Send two copies along with a 250-word abstract and a self-addressed stamped envelope for manuscripts' return. Processing time: 6 weeks. Blind reviewing only if author specifically requests it. Referees' comments nearly always sent to contributors. Acceptance rate: 11%. Average wait till publication: one year. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: none. No invited pieces. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: PPR publishes articles in a wide range of areas including philosophy of mind, epistemology, ethics, metaphysics and philosophical history of philosophy. No specific methodology or philosophical orientation is required in submissions.
Questionnaire summary: Official organ of the International Phenomenological Society. No replies to articles in other journals. Editors give priority to fields mentioned in editorial statement; other criteria include originality, lucidity, cogency, importance, topicality. Editors evaluate submissions and decide whether or not to send them on to a referee. Some manuscripts sent to two referees. Manuscripts often rejected for falling below competing submissions or accepted articles in the backlog. Major revisions requested occasionally.
No unsolicited book reviews accepted; will not assign book reviews to volunteers. Almost no invited reviews rejected, very few sent back for revision.
Reviewer's comments: Articles in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research are approximately 15 to 20 pages in length. The 1985 edition comprised 702 pages, in which were 36 articles, two discussions and 12 book reviews. There are occasionally symposia on selected topics. The articles it publishes are highly technical and analytical rather than expository. They represent original work, although one finds here also many close analyses of the doctrines of classical philosophers that are relevant to contemporary issues. It publishes on a wide range of issues in the philosophy of mind, ethics, metaphysics and philosophical history of philosophy. Articles appear to be chosen on the basis of timeliness and merit rather than on adherence to a specific methodological approach. Despite the reference to phenomenology in the title, most of the 1985 articles exhibit a close familiarity with the vocabulary of, and representative figures in, contemporary Anglo-American philosophy. (EK)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 3,000. Focus: Moral legal and political philosophy. Editorial address: Princeton University Press, 41 William St., Princeton, NJ 08540. Processing time: 2-3 months. Author's name concealed from reviewers at author's request; reviewers' names usually concealed from author. Referees' comments sent when manuscript held for more than two months. Acceptance rate: 5%. Average wait till publication: 6-12 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: none. No invited articles. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Issues of public concern often have an important philosophical dimension. Philosophy and Public Affairs is founded in the belief that a philosophical examination of these issues can contribute to their clarification and to their resolution. It welcomes philosophical discussions of substantive legal, social and political problems, as well as discussions of the more abstract questions to which they give rise. In addition, it intends to publish studies of the moral and intellectual history of such problems. Philosophy and Public Affairs is designed to fill the need for a periodical in which philosophers with different viewpoints and philosophically inclined writers from various disciplines--including law, political science, economics and sociology--can bring their distinctive methods to bear on problems that concern everyone.
Questionnaire summary: Journal prefers work on original and neglected issues to work on traditional and currently popular issues and history of philosophy; prefers analytic philosophy to non-analytic philosophy. No replies to articles in other journals. Managing editor sends all manuscripts to editor for initial screening; he or the panel of editors reject 95 percent of all papers and send the rest out to one or two reviewers. Most manuscripts rejected for being non-competitive. Major revisions requests 20 to 30 percent of the time.
Journal would consider volunteers for assigned book reviews and might print unrequested reviews if the works reviewed were of major importance and the review of high quality. About 10 percent of invited reviews rejected, about 75 percent sent back for revision.
Reviewer's comments: The four 1985 issues of Philosophy and Public Affairs contained 22 articles, most of which were approximately 20 pages. Topics addressed included the death penalty, drunk driving, exploitation, feminist epistemology, bribery, the ethics of negotiation and bargaining, equal treatment, the foundations of justice and responses to critics of the kind of "analytic philosophy" typical of the journal. There are occasionally responses to a major article within the same issue and replies to articles in previous issues. In addition to philosophers, contributors in 1985 included lawyers, political scientists and an economist. (DC)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 900. Focus: Philosophy and rhetoric. Editorial address: Donald Phillip Verene, Department of Philosophy, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322. Send two doublespaced copies with notes separate and self-addressed stamped envelope for their return. Processing time: 3 months. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers; reviewers' names always concealed from authors. Referees' comments always sent, anonymously. Acceptance rate: 20%. Average wait till publication: one year or less. Accepted authors should wait: normally one year. Special topic issues: none. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 13/2. No galleys to authors. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Philosophy and Rhetoric publishes papers on theoretical issues involving the relationship between philosophy and rhetoric, studies of rhetorical views of historical figures and periods, analyses of the relationship of rhetoric to other areas of human culture and thought and psychological and sociological studies of rhetoric with a strong philosophical emphasis.
Questionnaire summary: Interdisciplinary journal interested in all types of issues, historical and systematic, concerning the relationship between the fields of philosophy and rhetoric. Papers in analytic philosophy and non-analytic philosophy equally welcome. Editors read incoming manuscripts to see if they fit journal's purpose and format; 35 percent of papers rejected at that time. The remainder sent to two external reviewers; editors make final decision. Papers sometimes rejected for inappropriate manuscript preparation or excessive length. Major revisions requested from time to time.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers, would print an unrequested review of a book appropriate to the journal that had not yet been assigned to another scholar.
In the past year, journal published 14 regular articles, about 14 pages each, one reply one page long and 16 book reviews, averaging 1-1/2 pages each.
Reviewer's comments: Philosophy and Rhetoric is addressed to philosophers and others interested in theoretical issues in rhetoric and related fields. This is a "cross-disciplinary" journal. Edited by a philosopher, the editorial board is comprised of 12 philosophers and 13 members of English, Speech and Classics departments. In 1984 Philosophy and Rhetoric published nine articles by philosophers and six by academics in other fields. While all articles treat issues of philosophical interest, cross-fertilization with ideas from linguistics, literary theory and other fields is evident in most articles. Some articles address historical, classical and textual issues; many address topics from the perspectives of contemporary literary theory and philosophy (including philosophy of language, logic, hermeneutics, etc.).
Articles range up to 25 or even 30 pages and often include extensive footnotes. Replies to earlier articles in the journal are occasionally published, and each issue contains reviews of books published in the fields of interest to readers of the journal. (HW)
Frequency: 1/year. Focus: Philosophical perspectives on technology or technological society. Editorial address: Dr. Paul T. Durbin, Philosophy Department, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716. Processing time: up to a year. Blind reviewing when possible. Referees' comments sent anonymously. Average wait till publication: 2 years. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: about every other year, with 1/3 of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Most papers invited. No galleys to authors. Book reviews: no.
Editorial statement: Philosophy and Technology (Reidel, to begin in 1987 with volume III) is the successor, as the official publishing outlet for the Society for Philosophy and Technology, to Research in Philosophy and Technology (JAI Press). Volumes I and II were published under the auspices of Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science (volumes 80 and 90).
Research in Philosophy and Technology (volume 9 in preparation) will continue without Society for Philosophy and Technology sponsorship. The formats of the two series are similar, except that now RPT will not get Society manuscripts.
Questionnaire summary: Seeks work on new, traditional, currently popular and neglected issues; no history of philosophy. Analytic philosophy and non-analytic philosophy equally desirable. Contributions are of three types: papers read at international conferences of the Society for Philosophy and Technology; symposia papers from APA/SPT meetings; and unsolicited papers submitted to the editor. Editor screens the latter for appropriateness to the journal and sends more than 90 percent to two outside reviewers. Few papers accepted without revisions; major revisions requested perhaps one-third of the time.
In the past year, journal published 20 regular articles about 15 pages each.
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,400. Focus: Asian and comparative philosophy. Editorial address: 2530 Dole St., The University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822. Processing time: 2 months. Blind reviewing. Authors usually receive referees' comments. Acceptance rate: 20%. Average wait till publication: 12 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: about every 2 years, with 50% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 5/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: The Editor and Editorial Committee of Philosophy East and West welcome specialized articles in Asian philosophy and articles which seek to illuminate, in a comparative manner, the distinctive characteristics of the various philosophical traditions in the East and West. They especially welcome those articles which exhibit the relevance of philosophy for the art, literature, science and social practice of Asian civilizations, and those original contributions to philosophy which work from an intercultural basis.
All articles and features are printed in English. If a contribution is written in another language, the original and an English translation are requested. The system of transliteration of foreign terms and names should be consistent within each article and should conform with generally accepted practice.
Questionnaire summary: Journal prefers work on new and traditional issues to work on current, neglected or historical issues; prefers non-analytic philosophy to analytic philosophy and replies to articles in Philosophy East and West to replies to articles in other journals. Half of all incoming manuscripts rejected by one editor on preliminary reading, the other half sent out for external review. Articles most commonly rejected for being familiar expositions. Major revisions requested about one-fourth of the time.
Journal would use volunteer book reviewers and might print high-quality unrequested reviews. Ten percent of invited reviews rejected, 30 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 17 regular articles, averaging 15 pages each, five replies, about four pages each and 22 book reviews, around three pages each.
Reviewer's comments: Each issue contains about five articles, ranging from eight to 22 pages, averaging about 15; comment and discussion, fairly brief, with exchanges sometimes continuing in subsequent issues; a feature book review, averaging about seven pages; shorter reviews, a page or so each; lists of books received and current periodicals; news and notes of people, calls for papers, and conferences; and advertisements of books and journals. All contents are on Eastern or comparative topics, including Buddhist, Confucian, Hindu, Muslim, Taoist and Zen religious concepts and their importance in cultural life. Over the course of a year or so, the journal provides comprehensive coverage of the field of comparative Asian/Western philosophy. Many essays review, explore and connect rather than argumentatively develop a thesis. English language is used throughout, with authors from Australian and Canadian as well as from first-rank U.S. faculties. Many articles have extensive footnotes (up to 60), often on translation of key concepts. Some append lists of books consulted. Footnotes are given also in Oriental languages when appropriate. Authors are identified by institution and discipline (religion, philosophy, comparative literature, history of science).
Format is handsome, with heavy paper and elegantly designed printing. The intended audience includes all English-language readers who want to keep up with Asian and intercultural Western/Asian philosophy, but many articles, such as comparative analyses of "self," or of the term "kawaiso," which plays in Japanese ethics a role not unlike that of "fairness" in Western theory, are potentially of wide interest. There is some overlap in Editorial Advisory Board with International Studies in Philosophy. (MBM)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 2,500. Focus: philosophy of science. Editorial address: Prof. Robert E. Butts, Department of Philosophy, Talbot College, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 3K7. Send three doublespaced copies, one 100-word abstract and check, International Reply Coupons or Canadian stamps for return of manuscript. Follow reference style in March issues. Maximum length 35 pages. Two dollar per page publication charge for non-members of Philosophy of Science Association. Processing time: 75 days. Blind reviewing at author's request; sometimes referees sign reports. Referees' comments sent unless inappropriate. Acceptance rate: 20%. Average wait till publication: 1 year. Accepted authors should wait: yes; limit of one paper, one discussion note per author per year. Special topic issues: occasionally, with 2% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 99/1. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Seeks work on original, traditional and currently popular issues and criticism of articles in Philosophy of Science; no replies to articles in other journals. Incoming manuscripts are logged in, acknowledged and sent to two outside referees. Most common reason for rejection is failure to satisfy referees. Eighty percent of papers revised one or more times.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers and would accept unsolicited reviews if passed by referees and book suitable.
In the past year, journal published 48 regular articles, 23 discussions, 43 book reviews and three critical pieces.
Reviewer's comments: The official journal of the Philosophy of Science Association publishes about six articles per issue and generally at least two or three discussions. Length varies from 10 to 30 pages for articles and three to four pages for discussions. The audience is generally presumed to have expertise in the particular scientific discipline relevant, and the manner of argument reflects the technical orientation of the journal. Topics cover a wide range of crucial issues in philosophy of science, in 1985 including confirmation, discovery, dispositions, probability (three), causality (two), methodological solipsism (two), rationality, decision theory, approximate explanation, psychological and biological explanation, evolutionary theory, quantum theory and relativity. Articles are preceded by an abstract, have few footnotes but often extensive lists of references. Most issues include a substantial number of reviews of books in philosophy of science.
All articles are in English, but contributors, while mostly American, represent a worldwideished 17 regular articles, averaging 20 pages each, 30 book reviews, about three pages each and 12 article-reviews, about 10 pages each.
Reviewer's comments: Recent articles have been on a phenomenological deconstruction of man, the sociology of scientific knowledge (a constructivist thesis), pseudo-problems in social science, reproducing social reality, Luhmann's epistemological premises, conservation principles in economic theory, falsification in economics, Marx and rationality. (AJ)
Frequency: 1/year. Circulation: 750. Focus: General. Editorial address: Philosophy Documentation Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403. Send four copies, three with authorship deleted and four copies of a 150-word abstract, three of them unsigned. Also send $30 with each submission, half of which is refunded if paper rejected. Submission fee waived for totally unemployed philosophy Ph.D.s. Check detailed procedures listed in journal. Processing time: 3-1/2 months. Blind reviewing. Referees' comments always sent to authors. Acceptance rate: 34%. Average wait till publication: 10 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: none. No invited pieces. Book reviews: no.
Editorial statement: Philosophy Research Archives is published once a year as a single volume with a microfiche supplement. There is no size limit to the annual volume; all manuscripts accepted for publication by December 1 of a give year are published in the volume for that year (normally appearing in March of the following year). The single standard of judgment in accepting or rejecting a manuscript is whether the manuscript makes a significant contribution to the discussion of the topic. Succinctly stated the policies are: publication in English and French, no limit to the number or length of accepted manuscripts, no consideration given to balance or subject-matter focus in a given volume, prompt editorial decisions (normally four months or less) and unusual opportunities for amending and/or rewriting. Each author, whether the manuscript is accepted for publication or not, will receive referees' comments.
Questionnaire summary: The main criterion for acceptance of a manuscript is whether it is (or could be with revision) a significant contribution to the discussion of the topic. Manuscripts of up to 60 single-spaced pages in either English or French may be published in PRA, while longer papers may appear in its microfiche supplement.
The Philosophy Documentation Center sends anonymous manuscripts to the editor, who reads them and sends more than 98 percent on to two referees. Normally the editor accepts recommendations of reviewers, but if reviewers disagree, editor may decide or send manuscript on to another reviewer. Major revisions requested 15 to 20 percent of the time.
In the past year, PRA published 37 regular articles, averaging 18 journal pages each. (Note: pages include about 20 percent more words than the average journal.)
Reviewer's comments: PRA publishes material not usually covered by standard philosophical journals. There is virtually no area of philosophy which is restricted from consideration. Recent issues have exhibited a wide diversity of themes ranging from Aristotle on fatalism to Descartes' cogito to issues on suicide to problems relating to love and sexual desire.
Articles in this journal vary in length from a few pages to beyond 30. Print quality also varies from article to article, though generally the text is clear and readable. (NJM)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,300. Focus: Contemporary philosophy, especially phenomenology and existentialism. Editorial address: Carthagena Station, Celina, OH 45822.
Editorial statement: Philosophy Today publishes four times per year articles reflecting the trends and interests of contemporary philosophy. The contributors' views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors of Philosophy Today.
Reviewer's comments: Philosophy Today publishes articles in contemporary European philosophy, focussing on phenomenology and existentialism. Articles often consider the relationship between one thinker and another (e.g., Freud or Nietzsche) across interdisciplinary lines. Philosophy Today sometimes carries articles that consider the relationship between traditional philosophical themes and phenomenology and existentialism. Each issue contains six to eight articles which vary in length from 12 to 18 pages. Articles frequently deal with the thought of Kiekegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Ricoeur. Articles have extensive footnotes and Philosophy Today does not publish book reviews. (AL)
Frequency: 3/year. Circulation: 1,100. Focus: Ancient philosophy. Editorial address: Jonathan Barnes, Balliol College, Oxford OX1 3BJ, England. Send self-addressed stamped envelope and postage (international reply coupons if overseas) for return of manuscript. Any hand-written passages in Greek must be clear and legible. Processing time: 3 months. Blind reviewing. Referees' comments normally sent, anonymously. Acceptance rate: 15%. Average wait till publication: 6 months. Accepted authors should wait: a year or so. Special topic issues: none. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 15/2. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Prefers work on new and neglected issues; no replies to articles in other journals. Editor acknowledges all incoming manuscripts and rejects 80 percent himself, sends five percent, those in areas about which the editor is not wholly confident, to one external reviewer and decides on the basis of the report. Major revisions never requested; 10 percent of manuscripts accepted subject to minor revisions. Some papers rejected for inappropriate manuscript preparation or for excessive length. Editor's advice for authors of rejected manuscripts: "Try another journal--anything can get published today."
No unrequested book reviews or volunteers for book reviews ever accepted; no invited reviews rejected or sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 10 regular articles, with 20 pages the average length, five replies, about five pages long, and two book reviews of about 10 pages each.
Reviewer's comments: Phronesis specializes in full-length articles, critical notices and discussion notes pertaining to the entire area of ancient philosophy. A section entitled "Editor's Notes" is devoted to assessments of recently published material in all phases of ancient thought. Articles tend to be moderately footnoted.
Recent contributions have focussed mainly on detailed aspects of Aristotelian and Platonic thought, with a few items pertaining to early Stoicism and the later Hellenistic period. Generally, the latest entries deal either with findings proposing alternate etymological interpretations of passages in ancient texts or with historical studies on the effects philosophical trends have had on specific thinkers of antiquity.
Phronesis is an expertly crafted journal, with careful editing, clear print quality and fine binding; a highly polished professional publication. (NJM)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,000. Focus: Whiteheadian philosophy and theology. Editorial address: Prof. Lewis S. Ford, Department of Philosophy, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508. Double space manuscripts, with notes at end; avoid sexist language. Processing time: 2-3 months. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers; reviewers' names sometimes concealed from authors. Referees' comments usually sent on, particularly in cases of rejection or requested revisions. Acceptance rate: 38%. Average wait till publication: 1 year. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: half the time, with varying percent of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 7/13. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Process philosophy may be defined as applying primarily, though not exclusively, the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead and his intellectual associates, most notably Charles Hartshorne. With this as the focus, Process Studies seeks to explore process thought more broadly as it appears in related philosophies and theologies and to apply the Whiteheadian conceptuality to other fields, such as aesthetics, mathematics, physics, biology, cosmology, history of religions, social science and literary criticism.
Questionnaire summary: Interdisciplinary journal with narrow focus on process studies. Particularly seeks work on new issues and essays critical of process philosophy; no work on currently popular philosophical issues or analytic philosophy. Editor judges most incoming manuscripts, rejecting 60 percent and accepting 20 percent; the other 20 percent go out to one external reviewer and editor decides about those using the reader's report and his own reading of the essay. Readers not asked to return a manuscript if they cannot read it within a certain time. Papers commonly rejected for inappropriate subject matter or for being purely expository; authors always receive a letter of explanation; major revisions sometimes requested.
Book review editor is Prof. Nancy Frankenborg, Department of Religion, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755.
In the past year, journal published 16 regular articles, averaging 12 pages each, 13 book reviews, each about four pages and 10 other pieces, about two pages each.
Reviewer's comments: In addition to articles pertaining primarily to Alfred North Whitehead, Charles Hartshorne and other intellectual associates, much journal space is given to what Process Studies terms "Notes," "Critical Studies," "Reviews" and "Announcements." There are numerous critical discussions and reviews of current articles and books on process philosophy. Winter 1985 included a special issue on Whitehead and other philosophers which amounted to seven articles on the special topic and two and a half journal pages of announcements pertaining to an upcoming conference on topics addressed in the journal. Summer 1985 included a special issue on liberation theology. Footnotes are not used extensively, although one article (Winter 1985) contained 113 footnotes. (GW)
Frequency: 4/year. Focus: Social and political philosophy with a public affairs/applied philosophy orientation. Editorial address: Department of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Processing time: 4-6 weeks (projected). Blind reviewing whenever author sets up manuscript for it. Referees' comments sent whenever editor thinks they will be helpful. Average wait till publication: one year. Accepted authors should wait: at least one year. Special topic issues: none. No invited pieces. Book reviews: no.
Editorial statement: The Public Affairs Quarterly, a scholarly journal devoted to the philosophical study of public policy issues, will commence publication in January of 1987. The journal welcomes articles in English on current issues in social and political philosophy. However, only self-sufficient essays will be published, not news items, book reviews, critical notices or "discussion notes" (short or long). Occasionally the editor may, however, commission in-depth critical studies of book or public documents of particular interest.
The journal is intended to provide a forum for the philosophical scrutiny of concrete public policy issues. It will build upon the contemporary interest in tightly focused philosophical case studies of ethical and justificatory aspects of particular issues in such areas as social and economic justice, public welfare; individual entitlements, rights and duties; inheritance, taxation and distributive justice in general; population policy, abortion, euthanasia; environmental problems, science policy; the social and political status of women, senior citizens, minorities and other social groups; arms control, war and deterrence; loyalty, duty and patriotism; ethical issues in medicine, business and the professions; criminality, criminal justic and punishment; and similar topics. The journal will also make some place for discussions that relate theory to practice by considering socio-political doctrines in the light of actual development in "the real world."
The Public Affairs Quarterly will try to enhance the quality of our understanding of public issues by publishing essays that bring philosophical depth and sophistication to the consideration of matters on the agenda of public debate that would otherwise be left to the tender mercies of political rhetoric and journalistic oversimplifications.
Questionnaire summary: Seeks 4,000- to 8,000-word manuscripts. Journal prefers a variety of topics in each issue.
Frequency: 3/year. Circulation: 2,000. Focus: Continental, political and social philosophy, philosophy of the environment, of medicine and of science, and cultural studies. Editorial address: John Fauvel, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, England. Send three doublespaced copies, not dot-matrix printed, and a one-paragraph summary. Processing time: 4 months. Not blind reviewing. Usually summary of comments sent. Acceptance rate: 25%. Average wait till publication: 3 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: every couple of years, with perhaps 50% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Most papers contributed. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: The Radical Philosophy Group grew out of convergence of two currents which had been largely formed by the student movement of the 1960s--on the one hand, discontent, especially among students, with the sterile and complacent philosophy taught in British universities and colleges; on the other hand, a revival of interest in the theoretical work of the left and a recognition of the need to confront the ideology enshrined in orthodox academic disciplines. The Radical Philosophy Group has always contended that these two problems can be tackled together--that philosophical inquiry into fundamental issues must lead to the exposure of conservatism masquerading as formal reason.
Academic philosophy in this country has generally accepted and defended the frame of reference of the dominant bourgeois culture. This culture is supported and mirrored by the elite isolation, the internal hierarchies and demarcations, of academic institutions. The Radical Philosophy Group therefore works for reforms in courses and assessments for the enlargement of students' control over their education, for the breaking down of barriers between philosophy and other disciplines and between academic institutions and the outside world.
The Group has held numerous conferences, and local groups have been formed which have organized meetings and agitated on local issues. Radical Philosophy is the magazine of the Radical Philosophy Group, and has come out three times a year since January 1972. It aims to criticize the current state of philosophy in the English-speaking world and to encourage philosophical discussion on the left. It welcomes any contributions which will serve these aims.
Questionnaire summary: Journal somewhat prefers work on original, traditional and neglected issues, history of philosophy and non-analytic philosophy; no analytic philosophy or replies to articles in other journals. Almost all submissions considered by four to six members of the editorial board, then discussed by entire board at meeting. To pass initial screening, manuscript must not appear completely daft or totally inappropriate to journal. Manuscripts commonly rejected because not well argued, boring, in an unreadable prose style, or show insufficient political awareness. Contributors should write decent, coherent, simple English, as jargon-free as possible. Major revisions not often requested.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers and would print unrequested reviews that seemed good and for a book journal hadn't yet reviewed and wanted to. Few invited reviews rejected; five to 10 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 10 regular articles, about nine pages long each, three replies of about two pages each and about 75 book reviews, each ¼ page long.
Reviewer's comments: Published approximately three times each year (with occasional delays) by the Radical Philosophy Group, Radical Philosophy is widely circulated in Britain. Its aim is the critique of prevalent academic modes of philosophizing that are dominated by analysis and isolation from other disciplines.
Articles in recent issues, ranging from 3,000 to 7,000 words in length, have addressed a variety of topics related to Marxism, socialist and capitalist economic theory, critical theory and the philosophy of the natural and social sciences. Featured in one special issue was an extended discussion of "deep ecology," in another a set of articles on alternative medical practices. The 10 members of the sponsoring Group, who teach at several British universities, contribute regularly, but the majority of articles are contributed by others. Most contributors to recent issues have been British, but contributors from the Continent and from North America also appear regularly.
Book reviews, of varying lengths, are regularly included; while books fitting the editorial emphases of the journal predominate, a number of books in other areas of philosophy are also reviewed. An interdisciplinary awareness characterizes both the review section and the articles, and reference is frequently had to current scholarship in the social sciences and in other humanities fields, particularly work reflecting a Marxist or feminist standpoint. Contributors' styles vary rather widely, from densely reasoned Hegelian argument to political debate.
Radical Philosophy suffers somewhat from indifferent appearance, no doubt dictated by the need to restrain costs. Articles are usually typed, rather than typeset, and in page layout and overall appearance the journal falls somewhere between the formality of a scholarly journal and the informality of a popular magazine without quite achieving either. (DAH)
Frequency: 2/year. Focus: General. Editorial address: Martin Hollis, School of Economic and Social Studies, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, England. Enclose self-addressed envelope and British stamps or International Reply Coupons for return of manuscripts. Processing time: 6 weeks. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers, reviewers' names usually concealed from authors. Referees' comments sent when revisions called for. Acceptance rate: 15%. Average wait till publication: 1 year. Accepted authors should wait: 2-3 years. Special topic issues: none. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 9/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Ratio takes a resolute stand against skepticism and irrationalism and pursues the perennial goal of rational philosophy. Ratio deals with all branches of pure and applied philosophy, from logic and philosophy of nature to ethics and philosophy of religion. Ratio continues in a new form philosophical aims pursued with uncommon seriousness and courage in the Abhandlungen der Fries'schen Schule. The Abhandlungen were established in 1847 by Ernst Friedrich Apelt and re-established in 1904 by Leonard Nelson. Their publication was interrupted in 1937 as a result of National Socialism. In 1957 Julius Kraft, a pupil of Nelson, revived this work by founding Ratio. Ratio appears in both a German and an English edition.
Questionnaire summary: Journal especially welcomes work on original issues and non-analytic philosophy and contributions from Germany; also seeks work on traditional and currently popular issues and replies to articles in Ratio. No analytic philosophy or critiques of articles published in other journals. Looks for lucid and lively pieces offering something to both Anglo-Saxon and German readers, preferably less than 7,000 words.
Editor or assistant editor reads incoming manuscripts, rejecting 40 percent, some for being too long or too technical. Most of the rest go to the other editor, and five percent to one outside reviewer. Manuscripts most commonly rejected for being "a minor topic in a minor key and awful prose." Major revisions requested perhaps 10 percent of the time. In general, editor prefers to "take it or leave it."
Journal does not use volunteer book reviewers, but might accept unsolicited reviews if the book were suitable and editor had no reason to suspect ulterior motives. No invited reviews rejected; 10 percent sent back for revision.
Reviewer's comments: Ratio emphasizes work on topics of current interest in analytic philosophy. The journal originated in Germany and contains a good deal of material from analytic philosophers on the Continent. The largest number of contributors in recent years, however, have been from Great Britain, where the English version of the journal is published. Articles on the philosophy of science have a prominent place in the journal's offerings. Also featured are pieces on epistemology, ethical theory and the philosophy of Wittgenstein. Other topics represented include Quine, Frege, Marx and Habermas, understanding music, possible worlds and the analytic/synthetic distinction.
With just two relatively slim issues per volume, Ratio contains fewer pages per year than the average philosophy journal. Volume 27 (1985) consists of 14 articles and three book reviews totalling 203 pages. Articles are short to moderate in length, averaging about 12 pages per article. Footnotes are included but are generally not extensive. (TT)
Frequency: 4/year. Focus: Philosophy of religion. Editorial address: Prof. S.R. Sutherland, King's College, Strand, London WC2R 2LS. Doublespaced manuscripts with wide margins, 5,000-10,000 words; include International Reply Coupons for manuscript's return.
Editorial statement: Religious Studies is concerned with the main problems that present themselves in various fields of religious study. It provides a means of sustained discussion of the issues that have been sharpened by the course of recent philosophy and by the new findings of the historical and comparative study of religions. The psychology and sociology of religion, as they bear on major religious questions, come also within our scope. Space is reserved mainly for articles but there will also be extended book discussions, surveys of recent literature and book notes. It is hoped from time to time to publish replies to articles published in the journal and to provide in these and kindred ways a forum for debate of questions of importance in the study of religions today. Although authors will sometimes be encouraged to develop their views at some length the highest standards of precision and clarity are to be maintained.
Reviewer's comments: Religious Studies covers a wide variety of issues, including articles on linguistic and epistemological topics, literary figures (Swinburne and Tolstoy) and analytic (Wittgenstein) and process (Hartshorne) philosophers. Each issue carries articles on non-Western religions. The articles tend to be technical, with extensive footnotes, and run between 10 and 20 pages in length. Religious Studies includes articles on both historical and current topics. (AL)
Frequency: 1/year. Circulation: 500. Focus: Phenomenology, hermeneutics, deconstruction. Editorial address: John Sallis, Philosophy Department, Loyola University, 6525 N. Sheridan, Chicago, IL 60626. Processing time: 2-3 months. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers; reviewers' names always concealed from authors. Referees' comments normally not sent. Acceptance rate: 20%. Average wait till publication: 1-1/2 to 2 years. Accepted authors should wait: normally 2 years. Special topic issues: part of each issue, with 50% of articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 3/2. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: The editorial directors of Research in Phenomenology welcome submission of manuscripts which deal with phenomenological philosophy in a broad sense, including original phenomenological research, critical and interpretive studies of major phenomenological thinkers, studies dealing with the relation of phenomenological philosophy to other disciplines and historical studies which have some special importance for phenomenological philosophy.
Questionnaire summary: Seeks work on original and traditional issues and non-analytic philosophy. No analytic philosophy. Journal acknowledges incoming manuscripts and sends relevant articles to referee. If report favorable, article reviewed by another referee and/or the editor. For publication, two favorable reports required, at least one external. Most common reason for rejection is failure to make an original contribution. Major revisions not frequently requested. Rarely are invited book reviews rejected, and 10 percent are sent back for revision. Volunteers considered for book review assignments.
In the past year, journal published 10 regular articles, averaging 20 pages each and five book reviews, around five pages each.
Reviewer's comments: Research in Phenomenology is an annual publication of Humanities Press under the editorship of John Sallis, and appears in the fall. Volumes, about 250 pages long, normally center on a broad topic selected by the editors, although other articles may be published as well. Recent topics are "Husserl and Contemporary Thought" (1982) and "The End(s) of Metaphysics" (1983). Each issue contains five or six review articles of five to 10 pages. Articles are expository and critical, focussing upon key ideas of the twentieth-century continental philosophers, including the French structuralists. Articles are written on a high technical level that depends upon the thought of Husserl and others for their vocabulary, and are intended for consumption by professional philosophers well conversant with the themes, problems and representative figures of continental thought. (EK)
Frequency: 1/year. Circulation: 500. Focus: Philosophy of technology, broadly construed. Editorial address: Prof. Frederick Ferre, Philosophy Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602. Processing time: 3 months. Blind reviewing. Referees' comments normally sent, with specific suggestions for rejected manuscripts. Acceptance rate: 75%. Average wait till publication: 1 year. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: most volumes are theme volumes with non-theme articles as well; half of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 1/1. Authors usually see galleys. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Journal prefers work on new, traditional and neglected issues and, to a lesser extent, work on currently popular topics and in history of philosophy; critiques of articles in Research in Philosophy and Technology or other journals equally welcome. No preference for analytic or non-analytic philosophy. Acceptable approaches include social-science analyses, science-technology policy, interdisciplinary studies, etc. Especially interested in submissions from new authors. Journal always willing to consider new approaches.
To pass editor's initial screening, manuscripts should be generally well written and directed in some way toward philosophical issues related to technology. Most papers sent out to two external reviewers. Major revisions requested one-fourth of the time. Papers may be rejected for inappropriate manuscript preparation, excessive length or, more commonly, poor writing, poor argumentation or failing to say anything new or important.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers and would print unrequested reviews if "good and of relevant work." Very few invited reviews rejected or sent back for revision.
Reviewer's comments: The 1985 issue of Research in Philosophy and Technology contained 14 articles (average length, 17 pages) and two reviews (average length, nine pages). Over the last two years topics addressed have included computer and engineering ethics, a feminist perspective on reproductive technologies, the philosophy of Jacques Ellul, technology assessment and democratic procedures, technological utopias and the politics of reindustrialization. The articles, most of which are by academic philosophers, do not reflect a particular school or style of philosophy; they do reflect extensive familiarity with the work of many non-philosophers, both technologists and generalists. (DC)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 2,900. Focus: General, with emphasis on metaphysics. Editorial address: The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064. Enclose return postage. Processing time: 2 weeks. Acceptance rate: 5%. Average wait till publication: 3-6 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: occasionally, with 50% of articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 4/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: The Review of Metaphysics is devoted to the promotion of technically competent, definitive contributions to philosophical knowledge. Not associated with any school or group, not the organ of any association or institution, it is interested in persistent, resolute inquiries into root questions, regardless of the writer's affiliation.
Questionnaire summary: Journal seeks work on original, traditional, popular and neglected issues and work by well-known philosophers. Received manuscripts promptly acknowledged; editor then reads all manuscripts and rejects 95 percent, accepts five percent. No external reviewers. Most manuscripts rejected because of space considerations.
All book reviews assigned; volunteers considered for assignments. No invited reviews rejected, 20 percent sent back for revision.
Reviewer's comments: Of the 25 articles the Review published in the four issues from June 1985 through March 1986, three were critical studies of current material. Thirteen others treated of historical figures and seven others were on traditional problems. The articles were not highly technical, but they used mainly careful analytic methods, addressing a well-prepared professional audience and staying within the range of traditional philosophical subjects. Length of articles ranged between nine and 30 pages. Use of footnotes was variable, and there were no bibliographies.
The Review regularly contains brief reports on books received (written by staff), abstracts of articles from other leading journals and announcements of current activities in the profession. Once a year there is a section listing authors and titles of doctoral dissertations and information on graduate programs. The issues contain few copy errors. They are well bound and attractive, with wide margins and readable print. (JB)
Frequency: 2/year. Circulation: 700. Focus: Bertrand Russell's life, work and influences. Editorial address: Kenneth Blackwell, McMaster University Library, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L6, Canada. Send two doublespaced copies. Book reviews: yes.
Reviewer's comments: Russell: The Journal of the Bertrand Russell Archives is devoted to the life, works and ideas of Bertrand Russell. Articles and reviews embody a mixture of the analytic and the historic. There is a careful and knowledgeable review of articles submitted, with a waiting period of two to three months. The journal also regularly contains announcements about some aspect of the Archives, the Journal or the Russell Project. For example, there may be notes on the direction of some recent Russell research, the organization of the manuscripts, etc.
During the past year, the major portion of the articles were about Russell's ideas--philosophical, mathematical, ethical and political. At least a third were about Russell the person--his characteristics, his friends and lovers. There are articles in analytic philosophy, but always with an historical emphasis. The reviews make up a fair portion of this (approximately) 100-page journal. They divide evenly into two kinds: ones in which Russell plays a significant but not the main role (e.g., a review of a book about the last 100 years of mathematics) and ones in which Russell is the main focus (e.g., a review of a book about Russell's influence on Swedish philosophy. Given the extent of Russell's ideas and activities, the articles and reviews vary widely--in length, content and amount of documentation. (TRF)
Frequency: 2/year. Focus: Social and political philosophy. Editorial address: Social Philosophy and Policy Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403. Accepted authors should wait: 12 months after acceptance. Special topic issues: every issue, with 40-100% of articles invited, topics announced in advance if open to unsolicited papers.
Editorial statement: Prior to Volume 6, all papers in Social Philosophy and Policy were solicited. Beginning with Volume 6 (1988/89), we will be accepting unsolicited manuscripts on announced topics. Papers will be initially blind-reviewed by a group of external reviewers.
Topic for Volume 6, Issue 1 is "Capitalism" (submission deadline: June 1, 1987; publication date: Fall 1988), for Volume 6, Issue 2, "Socialism" (submission deadline: January 1, 1988; publication date: Spring 1989). Guidelines available from editor.
Frequency: 3/year. Circulation: 660. Focus: Social and political philosophy and ethics. Editorial address: Department of Philosophy, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306. Processing time: 3-4 months. Blind reviewing, except for one reviewer who usually asks that his name be revealed. Referees' comments nearly always sent. Acceptance rate: 17%. Average wait till publication: 6 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: once every 2-3 years, with varying percent of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 16/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Social Theory and Practice is intended to provide a forum for the discussion of important and controversial issues in social, political, legal, economic, educational and moral philosophy, including matters of public policy. Critical studies of classical or contemporary social philosophers are welcome. It is our policy to publish original work in social philosophy by authors from all relevant disciplines,including the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences, as well as those engaged in practical social and political action. Both constructive and critical work at all levels and on all social issues in welcome. Editorial responsibility is limited to questions of style and to the assurance of an impartial review by a committee of referees, whose judgments on analytical competence are taken as final and binding.
Questionnaire summary: Journal seeks work on original issues and, to a lesser extent, work on currently popular or neglected issues; no replies to articles in other journals. All incoming manuscripts logged by staff and read by chair of the editorial committee, who rejects half. Fifteen percent go on to a member of the editorial committee (another Florida State Philosophy Department faculty member) and 35 percent to one or two advisory board members. It takes three "yes" votes, from the chair of the editorial committee, at least one editorial committee member and at least one advisory board member, for an article to be accepted. To pass initial screening, papers must be somewhat original and must adequately defend their claims. About one-fourth of accepted manuscripts are significantly revised.
Volunteers and uninvited reviews are the primary sources for the journal's book reviews. To be accepted, unrequested reviews should be critical reviews, about as long as a typical journal article and raise interesting philosophical points.
In the last year, journal printed 15 regular articles, about 20 pages each, one reply of 10 pages and one book review of 10 pages.
Reviewer's comments: Social Theory and Practice offers an unusual diversity of perspectives within the field of social philosophy, broadly defined. Recent issues have included articles in philosophy of law, political philosophy, ethics, philosophical feminism and other topics. Several articles, though by no means all, address philosophical issues in a way that is informed by current work in other disciplines, including literary criticism and the social sciences. A special issue on Orwell's 1984, for example, included articles relating the work's political and ethical themes to a variety of contemporary problems of scholarship and society.
Published articles vary in length from as few as 4,000 to as many as 16,000 words, most falling into the lower half of that range. Review essays on recent books are regularly included, though there is not usually a section of book reviews. Social Theory and Practice has shown itself open to a variety of non-analytic philosophical approaches, including those of Marxism and feminism, but analytic discussions of problems of politics and society are also regularly included. The editors do not impose a single standard of philosophical style or of scholarly citation, and articles vary considerably in both of these regards. The journal is attractively printed and bound, and it has not yet succumbed to the escalation of subscription prices which has infected many journals. (DAH)
Frequency: 3/year. Circulation: 800. Focus: Philosophy of religion. Editorial address: School of Humanities, Deakin University, Victoria 3217, Australia. Processing time: 3 months. No blind reviewing. No referees' comments. Acceptance rate: 70%. Average wait till publication: 2 years. Accepted authors should wait: about 2 years. Special topic issues: none. No galleys to authors. Book reviews: no.
Questionnaire summary: Prefers relatively short (under 3,000 words) problem-oriented articles on new, traditional and neglected issues, criticism of articles in Sophia and articles by well-known philosophers. No history of philosophy. All manuscripts referred to one reader and also read by editor before final decision made. Most rejected papers are not in philosophy of religion, not philosophically competent or unoriginal; major revisions requested about 10 percent of the time.
Reviewer's comments: (Based on July and October 1985 and April 1986 issues.) Each issue runs about 50 pages and contains about five articles; there are no book reviews. Articles run from about 2,000 to 6,500 words, with most between 3,000 and 4,000. Shorter articles may have fewer than 10 notes and refer to few works (sometimes only one); longer articles may have 20 to 40 notes which range widely. Sophia publishes both philosophy of religion and philosophical theology. Approaches vary a lot--there is theological examination of literature, philosophical comparison of Eastern and Western theology, analytical philosophy of religion and speculative theology. Sample topics include Peter Winch's relativism, the possibility of conflict between ethical and religious duty, a defense of Heidegger against Bultmann, a question in natural theology and one in theodicy. Thinkers prominently discussed include Kazantzakis, Hume, James Ross, Charles Hartshorne, Alan Donagan, Richard Swinburne and Aquinas.
Sophia is printed attractively, though it is not bound with the usual stiff cover, and appears to run about one proofreading slip per page. There is no editorial favoritism on behalf of Australia; most authors are from the U.S. or the U.K. (SHV)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,250. Focus: General. Editorial address: Department of Philosophy, Memphis State University, Memphis, TN 38152. Send two nonreturnable copies with brief author's biography. Processing time: 5-7 weeks. Blind reviewing if author provides removable cover sheet. Referees' comments almost always sent; if not, editor explains why not. Acceptance rate: 7.39%. Average wait till publication: 6 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: once a year (supplement containing papers from annual Spindel conference), with 100% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. No invited pieces. Book reviews: review articles only.
Questionnaire summary: Seeks work on original, traditional, currently popular and neglected issue and review articles which critically review recent publications on a particular theme or philosopher. History of philosophy, analytic philosophy and non-analytic philosophy equally acceptable. No single-book reviews or replies to articles in other journals. Somewhat prefers articles by "name" philosophers. Editor tries for variety of subjects in each issue.
Each incoming manuscript acknowledged and assigned committee of three preferred referees picked in accordance with expertise in manuscript's subject area; editor decides on basis of reports. Most rejected manuscripts fail to adequately develop a theme or thesis. Major revisions never rejected. Editor advises authors to send rejected manuscripts to another journal: "Not every set of referees may view a paper in the same way."
In the past year, journal published 39 regular articles, averaging 12.4 pages each, one reply of two pages and five discussions averaging 6.6 pages each.
Reviewer's comments: The Southern Journal of Philosophy publishes a range of articles wider than either Philosophical Studies or The Australasian Journal of Philosophy. In addition to papers on current issues in epistemology, philosophy of language and mind, SJP also includes pieces on historical figures and topics in phenomenology. Each issue contains nine or ten articles ranging in length from 10 to 20 pages and a separate section of shorter critical discussion pieces. Papers include extensive notes, sometimes 20 or more, but no independent bibliographies. (LK)
Unabridged translations of articles from Soviet publications only. No submissions.
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 400. Focus: Mathematical and philosophical logic. Editorial address: Prof. Janusz Czalakowski, Piotrkowska 179, 90-447 Lodz, Poland. See manuscript preparation instructions in journal. Processing time: 3-4 months. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers, reviewers' names always concealed from authors. Referees' comments sent anonymously. Acceptance rate: 70%. Average wait till publication: 9 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: once a year, with practically all articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 3/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Studia Logica publishes papers on all technical issues of contemporary logic as well as on philosophical issues, especially in linguistics and other sciences, which depend on logic concepts, methods and results. More specifically, Studia Logica invites papers on logical systems, their semantics, methodology and applications. Preference is given to papers which contain new and important technical results.
Questionnaire summary: Paramount preference is for work on original issues; also prefers work on traditional and neglected issues and articles by well-known philosophers. No work on currently popular issues, analytic philosophy or history of philosophy. Replies to articles in Studia Logica and other journals equally acceptable. Incoming manuscripts may be rejected (or accepted) by editor or member of advisory board on preliminary reading; 75 percent of submissions sent to two external reviewers. Some papers rejected for being too long, most for insufficient scientific quality.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers and would print unrequested reviews if of high quality. Of invited reviews, five percent rejected, 10 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 28 regular articles, averaging 16 pages each, and 11 book reviews, around two pages each.
Frequency: 1/year. Circulation: 1,000. Focus: History of philosophy and general. Editorial address: School of Philosophy, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064. Processing time: 2 weeks. No blind reviewing. Average wait till publication: one year. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: all, with most articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Book reviews: no.
Editorial clarification: "Studies in Philosophy and the History of Philosophy has emerged as a regularly published volume of studies, usually on some theme, where the manuscripts have been specifically solicited for the volume. All unsolicited manuscripts are read and some are accepted for use. Some are published by me as editor of the Review of Metaphysics. Some volumes consist of the collected articles of a given author. In this calendar year three volumes have been published. One is a collection of essays on Kant, another a collection of essays on Galileo and a third, a collection of essays all by Ivor Leclerc on the philosophy of nature. Give its character I am not sure that Studies currently fits the definition of "journal" though at one time it may have." (Jude P. Dougherty)
Reviewer's comments: In 1985, volume 11 appeared, but it really seems to be a book rather than a journal. It is by a single author, James Weisheipl, and reprints his essays originally published 1954-81, with a selected bibliography of his work. Volume 10, in 1984, is by John Wippel, Metaphysical Themes in Thomas Aquinas. (TAF)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 650. Focus: Contemporary Soviet philosophy, varieties of Marxism, critical theory and Russian philosophy. Submit three 20-40-page doublespaced copies prepared according to guidelines in journal, a 100-word abstract and a self-addressed envelope; material on disks and tapes welcome. Editorial addresses: for articles from North America: Prof. Thomas J. Blakeley, Department of Philosophy, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167; for articles from other countries: Guido Kung, Institut de l'Europe Orientale, Universite-Misericorde, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland; reviews to: William J. Gavin, Department of Philosophy, University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME 04103. Processing time: 25 days. Blind reviewing. Referees' comments automatically sent to authors. Acceptance rate: 65%. Average wait till publication: 6 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: every two years, with 60% of articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 60/40. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Journal seeks work on original and traditional issues, history of philosophy and criticisms of articles in Studies in Soviet Thought. No work on currently popular issues in philosophy. All incoming manuscripts go to two or three reviewers; two out of three must approve publication for acceptance. Articles should be argued rationally and logically, well sourced and show some novelty; most rejected manuscripts guilty of incoherence or ideological bias. Major revisions requested about half the time.
Unrequested book reviews must meet the standards for articles in order to be printed; journal uses volunteer book reviewers. Of all invited reviews, 10 percent rejected, 30 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 20 regular articles, about 18 pages each, two replies of two pages each, 38 book reviews of five pages each and 10 others, two pages each.
Reviewer's comments: Studies in Soviet Thought serves as an international medium for research papers, short notes, critical reviews and other writings in contemporary Soviet philosophy and the history of Russian philosophy. Most issues contain an unusually large number of critical book reviews, a few longer articles (15 to 32 pages) and a few shorter articles (three to 15 pages). Many articles are discussions of the work and life of particular East European or Soviet philosophers (e.g., Lukacs, D.B. Rjazanov), while others attempt to explain current work in particular schools of thought (e.g., systems theory), on particular problems (e.g., neo-Communism and the problem of self-realization) or in particular fields (especially philosophy of science and methodology). A number of articles advance an original thesis; in some cases there is debate. Some articles are explicitly political (e.g., on the socialist world system), while most attempt to illuminate some aspect of Marx or Marxist philosophy. The journal is generally directed at philosophers interested in Marxism but includes a number of articles which address problems of interest to a more mixed audience of philosophers (e.g., logic, ethics, aesthetics). (KC)
Frequency: 12/year. Circulation: 1,100. Focus: Epistemology, methodology and philosophy of science. Editorial address: Department of Philosophy, Tallahassee, FL 32306 or Dr. Esa Saarinen, Department of Philosophy, University of Helsinki, Unioninkatu 40B, 00170 Helsinki, Finland. Processing time: 4 months. Blind reviewing. Referees' comments usually sent to authors. Average wait till publication: 6 months-1 year. Accepted authors should wait: "not necessarily." Special topic issues: at least 5 times per year, topics sometimes announced in advance. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Synthese publishes articles in all the fields covered by the subtitle. These include the theory of knowledge; the general methodological problems of science, such as the problems of scientific discovery and scientific inference, of induction and probability, of causation and of the role of mathematics, statistics and logic in science; the methodological and foundational problems of the different departmental sciences, in so far as they have philosophical interest; those aspects of symbolic logic and of the foundations of mathematics which are relevant to the philosophy and methodology of science; and those facets of the history and sociology of science which are important for contemporary topical pursuits. Special attention will be paid to the role of mathematical, logical and linguistic methods in the general methodology of science and the foundations of the different sciences, be they physical, biological, behavioral or social. Papers are invited in all these fields.
An attempt will be made to organize most of the issues in the form of symposia dealing with described themes. However, papers unconnected with these symposia will also be published regularly. [See journal for up-to-date list of projected symposium topics.] Potential contributors are encouraged to consult one of the Editors for the scope of the symposia and for their deadlines.
The minutes and official announcements of the Division of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science, International Union of History and Philosophy, will be published in Synthese.
Questionnaire summary: Journal prefers work on original, traditional, currently popular and neglected issues and analytic philosophy. Incoming manuscripts are recorded in log and on computer and then sent to one or two referees.
Reviewer's comments: The journal's usual contents are well described by the editorial statement that appears with each issue. Articles are usually addressed to an audience of specialists and are often quite technical. Extensive use of logical symbols is common. Contributors include not only philosophers but also scientists, mathematicians or economists writing on philosophical aspects or formal methodological problems of their fields. Articles not strictly within the stated areas of interest will sometimes be published (e.g., the list of planned symposia includes one on engineering ethics).
A typical issue of Synthese is organized into a "Symposium" consisting of several articles on a common topic, sometimes from conference proceedings. "Varia" or articles on unrelated topics are often included in an issue, but approximately 75 percent of the articles in the 1985 volumes were published as part of symposia. Each issue includes a list of topics for future symposia.
Synthese publishes considerably more material per year than most other philosophical journals. Each year four volumes are published, with three issues per volume. The four volumes of 1985 totalled 1,771 pages (compared with, for example, 754 pages for the 1985 Journal of Philosophy). The extensive use of guest editors (seven in 1985) helps make possible such a large output. Longer articles of 18 to 20 pages or more, often including extensive notes and references, are more common than shorter pieces. (TT)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,000. Focus: Teaching (and learning) of philosophy topics at all levels. Editorial address: Prof. Arnold Wilson, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0206. Send three disposable copies (one from outside North America), double spaced throughout, with notes at end. Processing time: 2 months. Blind reviewing whenever possible. Referees' comments always sent on. Acceptance rate: 20%. Average wait till publication: 6 months. Accepted authors should wait: "why?" Special topic issues: about once a year, with 50% of articles invited, topics usually announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 4/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: As a forum for the exchange and evaluation of ideas and information about the teaching and learning of philosophy, Teaching Philosophy publishes articles, discussions, reports and reviews on these and related topics: 1. Theoretical issues in the teaching of philosophy. What is the relation between philosophy and its teaching? What should be the nature of philosophy curricula, courses and pedagogy? What special pedagogical problems are there for teachers of philosophy? 2. Innovative methods, classroom stratagems and the use of new materials; 3. Experimental and interdisciplinary courses with philosophical content, or that develop the philosophical aspects of other fields; 4. Evaluation of teaching and assessment of learning in philosophy. Faculty development and student counseling in philosophy; 5. New books and audio-visual materials of interest to teachers of philosophy.
Teaching Philosophy has allegiance to no "schools"--either philosophical, pedagogical or institutional.
Questionnaire summary: Journal seeks papers on both theoretical and practical issues and problems, and more submissions on evaluating teaching in philosophy and on teaching "modern" philosophy and papers developing insights from class experience; would like more submissions from outside U.S.A. Articles in past volumes of Teaching Philosophy are a fair guide to sort of articles it is likely to accept; they also establish a scholarship that newer works should sometimes mention or develop.
Almost all articles sent to two external reviewers; editor accepts, recommends revision or rejects based on their recommendations and suggestions. Manuscripts rejected most commonly because topic needs more development or work. One-quarter of accepted papers require major revisions. Editor suggests authors work with colleagues to develop topics; read papers at regional meetings for fresh perspectives; and don't submit elsewhere without first trying to improve manuscript based on referees' comments.
Journal prefers inquiries about book reviews to uninvited reviews; interested in objective, short reviews of recent texts and "very keen" on more reviews of audio-visual materials. No invited reviews rejected, 10 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 26 regular articles, averaging nine pages each, one reply four pages long, 70 book reviews, about three pages each and one case study, six pages long.
Reviewer's comments: Since its inception more than a decade ago, Teaching Philosophy has become recognized as the single most comprehensive and varied source of information on all aspects of the theory and practice of philosophy teaching, from grade school to graduate school. Its audience is the wide spectrum of individuals who teach philosophy and who care about new strategies and the latest resources for carrying out their work. Entries are basically nontechnical and highly readable, with usefulness to the teacher the unifying objective.
Over the past year articles have covered such subjects as ethics in law school curricula, critical thinking and computers, team teaching with corporate executives and crossword puzzles and introductory philosophy. About one-third of the space in a typical issue is devoted to discussion pieces and critical reviews of books and audiovisuals intended for classroom use. This is an important and unique service. Several special projects deserve mention, including a report on "Graduate Study in Continental Philosophy in the United States" (first published 1975, revised in 1984), a special issue on "Philosophy and International Education" and a series of case studies in the ethics of philosophy teaching.
The journal is handsome in appearance, professionally designed for easy reading and meticulously edited. (REH)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,500. Focus: Philosophy of technology. Editorial address: Box 693, Polytechnic University, 333 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Send doublespaced manuscript with wide margins, self-addressed stamped envelope and 50-word biographical sketch. Processing time: 3 months. Blind reviewing. No referee comments. Average wait till publication: one year. Accepted authors should wait: 1-2 years. Special topic issues: once or twice a year, with 100% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 3/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: Technology in Society has three objectives. The first is to explore how technology affects our society in its many aspects--organization, government, social structure, national security, the family and individual personality. The second is to study the ways in which social processes and attitudes lead to technological decisions--on how the thinking of engineers, architects, union leaders, government officials and the general public influences the character and diffusion of technology in our society. The third objective is to identify combinations of technological or social choices open to us, and their effects on our society. Each of these objectives is universal. It transcends national boundaries and is of concern to every society. For this reason Technology in Society is an international journal.
The editors of Technology in Society will seek to illuminate controversies and to encourage commentary and debate. They will provide space for authoritative position papers by established leaders as well as articles on interesting new ideas by young or unpublished scholars. Papers will be invited, but the editors will also consider unsolicited manuscripts. The principal function of the Advisory Board will be to seek out new and/or unpublished talent and, in general, to encourage thoughtful articles that will contribute to better understanding and more creative and prudent social use of technology.
Questionnaire summary: Interdisciplinary journal with audience in the top echelon of business, government and academia. Seeks work on original, traditional and neglected issues and work by well-known philosophers. No analytic philosophy, critiques of articles published in other journals or "rehashed old material." Incoming manuscripts acknowledged and read by editors, who reject 70 percent, taking into account the topic, author's reputation and timeliness of the article. The rest go to one or two external reviewers. Referees not asked to return a manuscript if they cannot return it within a certain time. Few papers accepted subject to revisions.
Journal might accept unrequested reviews, if well done and appropriate; might accept volunteers for book reviews. No invited reviews rejected, five percent sent back for revision.
Recent articles of interest to philosophers have such titles as "Humanism and Technology: The Two Cultures Debate" and "Technology, Society and Culture: A Framework for Understanding." Readership includes the informed public, policy makers, corporate leaders, managers, social scientists, researchers and philosophers who specialize in the nature and impact of technology. Since this is not a philosophical journal as such, philosophers are well advised to contact the editors to discuss the appropriateness of their work prior to formal submission of a manuscript. (REH)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 2,000. Focus: Political philosophy. Editorial address: 431 East 12 St., New York, NY 10009. Submit at least three non-returnable copies. Processing time: 4-9 months. Not blind reviewing. Referees' comments always sent. Acceptance rate: 5%. Average wait till publication: 1 to 1-1/2 years. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: about once a year, with 50% of articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Galleys usually sent to author. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Seeks work on original or currently popular issues, American philosophy, non-analytic philosophy and criticisms of articles in Telos. No analytic philosophy or work on traditional issues. Contributors should know about the history of debates within the journal. At least three separate editorial associates evaluate each incoming manuscript, after which the editor, following their recommendations, notifies author of decision. Manuscripts rejected most commonly for being irrelevant, scholastic and pedantic. Major revisions requested 90 percent of the time.
Journal uses unrequested book reviews when interesting, original and relevant. Of invited reviews, 30 percent rejected, 90 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 20 regular articles, totalling 480 pages, five replies, totalling 40 pages and 25 book reviews, totalling 300 pages.
Reviewer's comments: Telos is a journal of critical thought which has its roots in critical theory, Continental philosophy and, in general, leftist politics. Articles range from 10 to 40 pages in length and fall into four main topical areas: (1)Continental philosophy (especially the Frankfurt School); (2)Political analysis of Eastern Europe and the USSR; (3)Politics and political philosophy in the U.S. (e.g., liberalism, neo-conservatism, black politics, the plight of the left); (4)culture-critique. Most articles offer an original thesis. The section "Notes and Commentary" covers similar ground but articles there are significantly shorter (under 10 pages) and the authors more directly engage in debate with one or more theses of current articles. There is a large review section as well. Bibliographies are not included; footnotes are moderate. Telos's audience is educated, though it is not confined to philosophers and includes political scientists, political activists, economists and students of literature and of culture. (KC)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 450. Focus: Philosophy of medicine. Editorial address: Dr. John C. Mostop, Humanities Program, School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenfield, NC. Processing time: 3-5 months. Blind reviewing. Referees' comments never sent to authors. Acceptance rate: 50%. Average wait till publication: 6-9 months. Accepted authors should wait: 1 year or so. Special topic issues: 2-2 a year, with 95% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 2/1. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Prefers work on original, traditional and neglected issues and replies to articles in Theoretical Medicine. No work on currently popular issues, non-analytic philosophy or discussions of articles in other journals. Editor reviews incoming manuscripts and sends them out to two or three external reviewers. Manuscripts most commonly rejected for poor quality or being outside the scope of the journal, sometimes for excessive length.
Journal will consider volunteer book reviewers and prints unrequested reviews if book reviewed is important. No invited reviews rejected, 10 to 20 percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 23 regular articles, averaging 15 pages each and three book reviews, about two pages each.
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,500. Focus: Philosophy for children. Editorial address: IAPC, Montclair State College, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043. Processing time: one week. No blind reviewing. Comments generally sent. Acceptance rate: 65%. Average wait till publication: 6 months. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: perhaps one out of four or five issues, with less than 5% of articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Few invited pieces. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial clarification: "Our issues regularly run 48-50 pages (8-1/2" x 11"). Of these there is a regular one-page column by Gareth Matthews and two or three book reviews, at about two pages apiece. There is also a standard feature called "Reflections," running anywhere from one to five pages, which is made up of short (one or two paragraph) excerpts from various sources, primarily philosophical, relating to children's reflective education. Often there will be an article from the history of reflective education (e.g., something by Locke or Hegel). Often too, there is a reprint (with permission) of something in current literature which our readers would have missed if we didn't reprint it."
Questionnaire summary: Journal encompasses philosophy for children; thinking; education; childhood and moral education; children's rights; transcripts of children's philosophical discussions; reports of experimental research involving philosophy for children; children's literature and philosophy for children. Prefers work on original and traditional issues and history of philosophy concerning philosophical education, as well as articles by well-known philosophers. No replies to articles in other journals.
Editor, and occasionally associate editor as well, read all incoming manuscripts, looking for relevance, competence and originality. Five percent of submissions are invited; 30 percent accepted without revisions; 30 percent accepted subject to (usually minor) revisions. Manuscripts commonly rejected because similar material has already been published or for superficial treatment of topic.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers and would be unlikely to print an unrequested review. Of all invited reviews, 10 percent rejected and 50 percent sent back for revision.
Reviewer's comments: This unusual journal features articles by philosophers (about half the Volume 5 contributors), psychologists and educators about children's minds, their reasoning abilities and their capacities for philosophical thinking. Many of the articles adopt or defend the view that teaching philosophy has a place in the pre-college classroom. In addition to including articles about teaching techniques, the journal contains articles on the philosophy of education, children's reasoning abilities and the nature of philosophy and philosophical curiosity. There are also some empirical studies of, for example, comparative reasoning skills in different groups of children. Many of these areas of interest parallel those of the journals Teaching Philosophy and Metaphilosophy. Indeed, Thinking occasionally reprints articles from the latter.
Articles are generally short (five to eight pages). About one-third of those appearing in Volume 5 were reprinted from other sources. Book reviews (four in Volume 5) are included. I noted many misprints, including serious ones such as a mixup in the table of contents that omitted the listing of one article and incorrectly identified the author of another. The publishers should identify the date of a journal issue along with its volume number. (TT)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,200. Focus: Speculative philosophy and theology. Editorial address: 487 Michigan Ave., N.E., Washington, DC 20017. Processing time: 3 months. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers; reviewers' names sometimes concealed from authors. Rejected manuscripts accompanied by summary of referees' comments; copies of comments sent on request. Acceptance rate: 40%. Average wait till publication: 1 year. Accepted authors should wait: no. Special topic issues: occasionally, with 100% of articles invited, topics not announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 5/1. Book reviews: yes.
Editorial statement: The Thomist, a Speculative Quarterly Review of Theology and Philosophy, appeals to a wide international readership in the university, the seminary and the Church. In the tradition and spirit of Thomas Aquinas, it seeks to promote original and penetrating inquiry into the broad range of contemporary philosophical and theological questions. It undertakes particularly to support sustained discussion of central issues in the various sub-fields of philosophy and systematic theology, especially though not exclusively where such discussion can be advanced by creative uses of the thought of Aquinas and significant authors in the Thomist tradition. In this way The Thomist seeks to cultivate a fruitful dialogue between modern and contemporary philosophical systems and the classical tradition of philosophy and Christian theology. History of philosophy, historical theology and textual studies, as they bear on enduring speculative questions or as they illumine the intellectual setting of Thomistic thought, also come within the scope of the journal.
Questionnaire summary: Seeks work on original, traditional and currently popular issues, work on Aquinas and Aristotle and articles by well-known philosophers; prefers analytic philosophy to non-analytic philosophy. No comments on articles in other journals; uncritical expositions have little chance. Incoming manuscripts acknowledged and circulated among associate editors, who each make comments upon which a final decision based. Only one percent of submissions go out for external review; referees not asked to return a manuscript if they cannot read it within a certain time.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers and would print unrequested reviews if met usual review standards and if thought to be worthwhile. No invited reviews rejected; five percent sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 24 regular articles, averaging 20 pages each and 30 book reviews, about three pages long each.
Reviewer's comments: Twenty-one articles appeared in the last year (four issues), varying in length from as long as 40 pages to as short as 11. About six book reviews are usually included in each issue, about two or three pages in length each. About half of the articles are devoted to philosophy, and half to theology. Of the articles on philosophy, topics in moral philosophy, realist metaphysics and epistemology predominated in the last year. (TAF)
Frequency: 4/year. Circulation: 1,600. Focus: Philosophy and general humanities. Editorial address: Fordham University, Canisius Hall, Bronx, NY 10458. Send original and one copy in MLA Handbook format. Processing time: 3 months. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers; reviewers' names concealed from authors. Referees' comments almost always sent. Acceptance rate: 30%. Average wait till publication: 1 year. Accepted authors should wait: 1 year. Special topic issues: twice a year, with 90% of articles invited, topics announced in advance. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 3/2. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: Journal especially seeks work on original issues, criticisms of articles published in Thought or elsewhere and articles by philosophers whose names are familiar to broad readership; analytic philosophy and non-analytic philosophy both acceptable. Papers should be not too technical, readable but profound. Editor screens all submissions, checking that each includes an original copy with appropriate subject matter in proper style; editor rejects 30 percent of manuscripts at that point. Another 30 percent go out to at least three readers. Journal often requests major revisions.
Journal would not assign book reviews to qualified volunteers but might accept unrequested reviews that met journal's standards. In the past year, Thought published 32 regular articles and 20 book reviews.
Reviewer's comments: Thought publishes articles on history, theology, ethics, literature, aesthetics and psychology. In 1985 two issues were devoted to a specific theme (Ethics and Alfonso X, The Learned Emperor of Culture). The March 1986 issue was devoted to Psychoanalysis and Religion. The focus of Thought is humanistic with topics concerning Roman Catholicism tending to predominate. Articles vary in length from eight to 25 pages. Each article has extensive footnotes. Each issue includes book reviews which run one or two pages in length. (AGL)
Frequency: 2/year. Focus: General. Editorial address: Prof. Ermanno Bencivenga, Director, Centro Studi dell'Universita di California, Via San Biagio 8, 35100 Padova, Italy or Enrico M. Forni, P.O. Box 280, 40100 Bologna, Italy. Send doublespaced typescript with wide margins and an abstract; see detailed instructions in journal.
Editorial statement: Topoi is a review devoted to philosophical studies and to the history of philosophy, dedicated to illustrating the most important topics that have emerged from these disciplines in recent years, to indicate the growth of discussions upon these topics and to point out the principal tendencies that have developed in such discussions.
Topoi is not the preserve of any one philosophical school or tradition but, as a truly international journal should, publishes contributions on a given topic (topos) by philosophers from various linguistic/cultural backgrounds. The scope, then, of the journal has not been determined by traditional disciplinary considerations but rather by certain fundamental topoi. These will deal with themes and problems related to: logical epistemological discourse--topos: logic and methods; semiology, aesthetics and analytic philosophy--topos: signs and language; theoretical constructs which rationalize our behavior in the political and social context in which we live--topos: ideology; the discourse of the moral sciences--topos: society; discussions on the methods of representation and interpretation of the dynamics of the psyche, on the mechanism of thought and perception--topos: psychology; analysis of the methodological procedures developed and applied by diverse disciplines--topos: the scientific enterprise; the procedure of analyzing the influence which normative institutions (e.g., legal system, education system) exert on associated disciplines (philosophy of law and of education) and on their wider milieu--topos: institutions.
Reviewer's comments: This summary is based on a survey of the five most recent issues (June 1984-March 1986). Sixty to 100 percent of each issue (on average, 90 percent) is devoted to the issue's special topic (or "topos"), with one or two scholars serving as guest editor(s) and the remaining space devoted to discussion articles or book reviews. During the period surveyed, special topics were as follows: Exact Philosophy; Kant's Philosophy of Mathematics; History of Ethics; Language and Logic in the Eighteenth Century; and Personal Probability. On average, there are eight articles on the special topic (range: four to 12), about 11 pages or 10,700 words long in a large-page, two-column format (range: 3,000-30,000 words). Discussion articles (just five on topics other than the topoi during the period surveyed) are of about the same average length, and were on topics in epistemology, history of philosophy and logic and ontology. Book reviews (three) averaged about five pages in length. All contributions use endnotes, which may be lengthy.
Each issue announces forthcoming articles on future topoi, and indices of names and subjects appear at the end of every two-issue volume. The guest editor(s) provide a brief introduction. Technical content of contributions varies as appropriate to the topos; some articles are highly technical. (DFA)
Frequency: 4/year. Focus: American philosophers no longer living. Editorial address: Prof. Peter Hare, Department of Philosophy, SUNY-Buffalo, Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260. Processing time: 6 weeks. Authors' names not concealed from reviewers; reviewers' names almost always concealed from authors. Acceptance rate: 25%. Average wait till publication: one year. Accepted authors should wait: a few months. Special topic issues: none. Ratio of contributed to invited pieces: 4/1. Book reviews: yes.
Questionnaire summary: To pass initial screening, manuscripts must fall within subject area of journal and show minimal competence. One editor rejects 10 percent of submissions; the rest go to two external reviewers. Referees not asked to return a manuscript if they cannot read it within a certain time. Papers most commonly rejected for being poorly argued. Rejections accompanied by explanation.
Journal uses volunteer book reviewers and would print a well-written unrequested review on a book that hadn't yet been assigned. No invited reviews rejected; one-quarter sent back for revision.
In the past year, journal published 20 regular articles, about 20 pages long on the average and 16 book reviews, each about eight pages long.
Reviewer's comments: As well as containing articles about C.S. Peirce (which cover every aspect of his philosophy), the Transactions of the C.S. Peirce Society publishes articles on James, Dewey, Royce, Santayana, C.I. Lewis, Charles Morris, Chauncey Wright, Francis Bowen, Frank Abbot, John Fiske and the like. In addition, articles on current supporters of "pragmatism" (Richard Rorty, for instance) are accepted. Each volume contains between three and seven papers and a few book reviews. Peirce, and those in his tradition, wrote on a diversity of topics, and this is reflected in the journal. (CM)