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A Preface to Philosophy

ISBN: 9780534528300 | 0534528309
Edition: 6th
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
Pub. Date: 8/6/1999

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SummaryTable of Contents
Ever wonder what purpose philosophy serves? That question and others like it are the reason A PREFACE TO PHILOSOPHY was written. With this introduction to philosophy textbook, you'll get a headstart on philosophy class. Plus, it helps you learn to think philosophically, recognize philosophical problems, and avoid the common pitfalls involved in writing philosophical essays. Better grades and less stress in philosophy class makes A PREFACE TO PHILOSOPHY your best choice.
Preface to the Sixth Editionxi
A Note to Studentsxiii
Recognizing Philosophical Subject Matter
1(19)
Philosophical Problems Involve Fundamental ... MORE
3(1)
Philosophical Problems Involve Questions of Meaning, Truth (Rational Defensibility), and Logical Relations
4(5)
Philosophical Problems Are Not Straightfowardly Empirical
9(3)
Two Case Studies
12(2)
Taking Your First Philosophy Course
14(4)
Study Questions
18(1)
Postscript: Divisions of Philosophy
18(2)
Why Philosophize?
20(16)
How Philosophers See Their Goals
20(9)
The Relevance of Philosophy
29(2)
The Lure of Philosophical Issues
31(3)
Postscript: Are Gurus Philosophers?
34(2)
Philosophical Progress: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions
36(10)
Philosophy Is Not Merely an Exercise in Semantics
36(1)
The Choice Between Competing Theories Is Not Arbitrary
37(1)
Philosophers Do Agree
38(2)
Philosophical Theories Are Not Merely Rationalizations of Personal Belief
40(2)
Why Be Rational?
42(2)
Postscript: The Cultural Matrix of Reason
44(2)
Doing Philosophy: Getting Started
46(15)
Preparing to Philosophize
47(1)
What Kind of Claim Is Advanced?
48(4)
The Claims: A Summary
52(2)
Exercises
54(1)
What Is the Meaning of Key Terms?
55(5)
Exercises
60(1)
Doing Philosophy: Further Considerations
61(22)
Do the Arguments Support the Thesis?
61(6)
Exercises
67(1)
Are the Premises True?
68(1)
Are the Assumptions Correct?
68(3)
Exercises
71(1)
Are the Logical Consequences Plausible?
72(3)
Exercises
75(1)
How Adequate Is the Theory?
75(3)
Exercises
78(1)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Near-Death Experience
78(3)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Equality of Opportunity
81(2)
Common Fallacies in Argument
83(12)
Question-Begging Arguments
83(2)
False Alternative
85(1)
False Disjunct
85(1)
Ad Hominem Fallacy
86(1)
Genetic Fallacy
87(1)
Red Herring Fallacy
87(1)
Straw Man
88(1)
Slippery Slope
88(1)
Appeal to Tradition
89(1)
Bandwagon
89(1)
Composition
90(1)
Division
90(1)
Hasty Generalization
91(1)
Appeal to Ignorance
91(1)
False Cause
91(1)
Equivocation
92(1)
Illicit Appeal to Authority
92(1)
A Final Checklist
93(1)
Exercises
93(2)
Reading Philosophy
95(11)
Kings of Philosophical Writings
95(2)
Preparing to Read Philosophy
97(1)
Reading for Understanding
98(7)
Reading Critically
105(1)
Writing Philosophy
106(18)
The Nature of a Critical Philosophy Essay
106(2)
Organizing Your Essay
108(3)
Achieving Clarity
111(4)
A Sample Essay
115(7)
Postscript: A Note on Research Materials
122(2)
Answers to Exercises124(8)
Appendix132(17)
Glossary149(14)
Index163

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