FREE SHIPPING BOTH WAYS
ON EVERY ORDER!
LIST PRICE:
$43.00

Sorry, this item is currently unavailable.

A Preface to Philosophy

ISBN: 9780534595449 | 0534595448
Edition: 7th
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
Pub. Date: 6/17/2002

Why Rent from Knetbooks?

Because Knetbooks knows college students. Our rental program is designed to save you time and money. Whether you need a textbook for a semester, quarter or even a summer session, we have an option for you. Simply select a rental period, enter your information and your book will be on its way!

Top 5 reasons to order all your textbooks from Knetbooks:

  • We have the lowest prices on thousands of popular textbooks
  • Free shipping both ways on ALL orders
  • Most orders ship within 48 hours
  • Need your book longer than expected? Extending your rental is simple
  • Our customer support team is always here to help
SummaryTable of Contents
Widely used by instructors as an introductory supplement, this small book has helped thousands of students learn to think philosophically, recognize philosophical problems, and avoid the common pitfalls involved in writing critical philosophical essays. This book answers the four most important questions a beginning student needs to have answered: 1. What is a philosophical problem? 2. Why bother doing philosophy? 3. How do I go about doing philosophy? 4. Am I going to get anywhere for my efforts?

Ever wonder what ... MORE
Preface to the Seventh Editionvii
A Note to Studentsix
Recognizing Philosophical Issues
1(19)
... MORE
Philosophical Problems Involve Fundamental Ideas
3(1)
Philosophical Problems Involve Questions of Meaning, Truth (Rational Defensibility), and Logical Relations
4(4)
Philosophical Problems Are Not Strightforwardly Empirical
8(4)
Two Case Studies
12(1)
Taking Your First Philosophy Course
13(5)
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 Philosphers?
34(2)
Philosophical Progress: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions
36(10)
Philosophy Is Not Merely Quibbling Over Words
36(1)
The Choice Between Competing Theories Is Based on Reason and Does Not Require Absolute Certainty
37(1)
Philosophers Do Agree
38(2)
Philosophical Theories Are More Than Personal Beliefs
40(2)
Why Be Rational?
42(2)
The Cultural Roots 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(28)
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)
Five Common Informal Fallacies
78(4)
Exercises
82(1)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Near-Death Experience
83(3)
Are Any Informal Fallacies Committed?
86(1)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Equality of Opportunity
86(3)
Reading Philosophy
89(11)
Kinds of Philosophical Writings
89(2)
Preparing to Read Philosophy
91(1)
Reading for Understanding
92(7)
Reading Critically
99(1)
Writing Philosophy
100(18)
The Nature of a Critical Philosophy Essay
100(2)
Organizing Your Essay
102(3)
Achieving Clarity
105(4)
A Sample Essay
109(7)
Postscript: A Note on Research Materials
116(2)
Answers to Exercises118(8)
Appendix126(17)
Glossary143(14)
Index157

Related Products


  • A Preface to Philosophy
    A Preface to Philosophy
  • A Preface to Philosophy
    A Preface to Philosophy
  • A Preface to Philosophy
    A Preface to Philosophy
  • A Preface to Philosophy
    A Preface to Philosophy


Please wait while this item is added to your cart...