9780130122674

This useful and richly informative book will inspire and motivate readers to appreciate the importance and relevance of philosophy in their everyday lives. A user-friendly format provides detailed content coverage and critical reasoning skills development.Its "applied focus" pays attention to the personal and practical relevance of philosophy by focusing on its experiential, therapeutic, and social applicationscomplemented by a built-in study guide and substantial excerpts from classical original sourceworks. Six chapters cover: what philosophy is, philosophies of life, logic and philosophical method, epistemology and metaphysics, ethics, and political philosophy.For individuals new to, and interested in, the study of philosphy.

Anthony Falikowski is Professor of Philosophy at Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

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NOTE TO THE INSTRUCTORExperiencing Philosophyis a textbook written and designed to be used in introductory philosophy courses. It could also be adopted in humanities and liberal arts courses, in general education courses, or in critical thinking courses. It can be used in institutions having a first year "foundations" component in their academic program or in vocational schools where there's a wish to broaden the student's intellectual horizons.The book begins with the assumption that philosophy is not simply something you know or do but something you experience! There is a human side to philosophy that, unfortunately, is too often neglected in traditional approaches to philosophical teaching. I believe philosophy needn't be seen as something that is completely theoretical and dry or something that is totally impractical and outdated; rather, the study of philosophy has the potential to transform lives. Acceptance of a metaphysical belief in God or a philosophical commitment to materialistic atheism, for example, will take individuals down very different roads in life. In this book, I will explore philosophy with frequent references to its personal and practical relevance, making efforts to present the subject in its rich diversity to an audience that demands accessibility. Convoluted, impenetrable language will therefore be regarded as an academic vice, not as a virtue of philosophic expression.Experiencing Philosophyis an "applied" text of sorts. Though the personal and applied nature of the book does not adequately present itself in the table of contents, the practical "experiential relevance" shows up in the "Know Thyself" diagnostics, in the "Take It Personally" chapter introductions, in the "Meditative Moment" journal writing opportunities, as well as in the features entitled "Philosophers in Action" and "Discussion Questions for Critique and Analysis." These last two elements in the book provide occasions for students to actually "do" philosophy and thereby experience it in practice for themselves. Note, however, that by making this book practical and personally relevant, I do not wish to compromise on academic respectability. I have written it to be theoretically sound and philosophically sophisticated. You should find it technically accurate and appropriately detailed. As part of my content coverage, I have also included the actual writings of philosophers discussed in a repeating feature throughout the book entitled, "Original Sourceworks." Any one excerpt will be relatively short so as not to discourage beginning students, but, cumulatively, the original writings will constitute a significant exposure to some of the major works with which all introductory philosophy students should be familiar. For the most part, though, significant topics and important philosophers' writings will be paraphrased, summarized, and explained for those students who would find an entire course based on the classical works inappropriate. In writing this book, I recognize that there are levels of difficulty; I also recognize that not everyone who studies philosophy plans to major in it. The truth is a majority don't. Furthermore, I appreciate the fact that beginning students should not be expected to master material often assigned in philosophy graduate courses--something I was once expected to do! To capture the point metaphorically, let us say that before one can run a marathon, one must first learn to walk.In recognition of learner needs, this text will contain a substantial pedagogical apparatus designed to encourage and motivate students as well as to maximize their chances of success. I don't want your students' first philosophy course to be their last. Little is accomplished if the syllabus is covered, but because of "technical difficulties," regarding meaning and comprehension, nobody cares to learn or remember what was taught. Systematically covering the contents of philosophy

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Experiencing Philosophy

Experiencing Philosophy

013012267X

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