Fundamentals Of Philosophy

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An accessible reader/text for introductory students of philosophy, this volume offers a broad scope of diverse classic and contemporary selections—with a narrative and format that presents difficult issues and readings in a simplified but not condescending manner. The readings are grouped around major philosophic themes: and social and political philosophy. It also offers a selection of readings from Eastern philosophy.For Sale in Indian subcontinent onlyFeaturesChapter on the history of philosophy. Gives students an introduction to the history of ideas. Article dealing with critical thinking. Provides students with a discussion of a technique that is essential to understanding even elementary philosophical concepts. An appealing mix of classic and contemporary works–Includes many selections and authors rarely found in first-course volumes. Introduces students to all major areas of philosophy and a full range of philosophical questions. Accessible writing style and narrative introductions to all readings. Promotes a better understanding of the issues, concerns, and questions for each particular area of philosophy explored. A logical approach–Organizes readings within each section as a debate on one central issue or problem. Helps students appreciate the argumentative style of philosophy. A section on logical and analytical techniques–Often omitted in first-year courses. Presents students with discussions/readings on necessary and sufficient conditions, inductive arguments, causal reasoning, definition, analysis, and the difference between truth and validity.Contents PART I: WHAT IS PHILOSOPHY? The Activity of Philosophy. Philosophy of Everyday Life. Philosophy's History. Philosophy and the Examined Life. PART II: THINKING ABOUT THINKING (LOGIC). The Life of Reason. Argument Forms. Induction and the Philosophy of Science. Strategies for Philosophical Argument. PART III: WHAT IS REAL. (METAPHYSICS). Introduction to Metaphysics. Materialism. Idealism. The Mind-Body Problem. Metaphysics and Language. PART IV: HOW DO WE KNOW? (EPISTEMOLOGY). Introduction to Epistemology. Appearance and Reality. The Quest for Certainty. Trust Your Senses. A Compromise. PART V: WHAT OUGHT WE TO DO? (ETHICS). Introduction to Ethical Reasoning. The Need for Morality. The Morality of Self-Realization. Morality Depends on the Consequences. Morality Depends on Motives. PART VI: PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION. Introduction to Philosophy and Religion. Religion and Life's Meaning. Arguments for God's Existence:The Ontological Argument. Arguments for God's Existence: The Cosmological Arguments. The Problem of Evil. PART VII: PHILOSOPHY OF ART (ESTHETICS). Introduction to Philosophy of Art. The Value of Art. Art as Ideal. Esthetics and Ideology. PART VIII: SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY. Social and Political Philosophy. The Liberal, Secular State. The Individual and the State. Individual Happiness and Social Responsibility. Minority Group Rights. PART IX: EASTERN THOUGHT. Philosophy East and West. Chinese Theories of Human Nature. Indian Theories of Human Nature.