THE SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF PHILOSOPHY
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 review ing 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 y ear (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 o r 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 piece s. 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. A uthors' 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 s pecifically, 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 phi losophy. 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.
STUDIES IN PHILOSOPHY AND THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY
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 un solicited 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 publis hed. 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. V olume 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: Gui do 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. Refe rees' 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. Rat io 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 revis ions 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 cont ain 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., Lu kacs, 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 phil osophy. 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)
SYNTHESE: An International Journal for Epistemology, Methodology and Philosophy of Science
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; tho se 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 a ttention 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 fie lds.
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 topic s.] 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 sym bols 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 wi ll 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 ap proximately 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 page s 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 sho rter 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 Nor th 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 philosoph y? 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 assessmen t 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 exp erience; 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.< P> 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, f rom 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, wi th 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 typica l 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 Continent al 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 b iographical 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, to pics 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 person ality. 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 diffusio n 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 you ng 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 artic les 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, critiqu es 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.
In the past year, journal published 40 regular articles, about 12 pages long each.
Reviewer's comments: Technology in Society publishes articles only, and they tend to be rather lengthy and detailed (12 to 20 journal pages). Articles are very technical, many containing charts, diagrams, tables and figures, and sometimes ext ensive references, notes and bibliographies as well. The journal is comprehensive and covers a wide range of interdisciplinary fields, all bound together by a common focus on the role of technology in society. Specialties represented include risk assess ment, appropriate technology, technology transfer, forecasting and technology in developing countries. A 1985 special issue was devoted to "Technology in the Modern Corporation: A strategic Perspective."
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 discus s 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 se nt. 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 abo ut 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 bei ng 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 area s: (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)cul ture-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 these s 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, ec onomists 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' co mments 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 contrib uted 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.
THINKING: The Journal of Philosophy for Children.
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%. A verage 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 featur e 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 articl e 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 philoso phy 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 a bilities 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 Tea ching 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 ta ble 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: oc casionally, 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 intelle ctual 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 oth er 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; ref erees 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. Abo ut 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-analyt ic 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 manuscr ipts 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 is sue 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 type script 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, t hen, 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 metho ds; 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 scienc es--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 app lied 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 o n 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 t wo 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). Discuss ion 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 l ength. 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 t opos; some articles are highly technical. (DFA)
TRANSACTIONS OF THE CHARLES S. PEIRCE SOCIETY: A Quarterly Journal in American Philosophy
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; re viewers' 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)