I'm looking for an introduction to philosophy text that meets the following criteria:
1. It's arranged topically, not historically.
2. It nevertheless deals with these topics by going over how various thinkers throughout history have addressed them -- although not exhaustively of course.
3. It's actually introductory, for people who haven't taken philosophy before.
4. It's inexpensive.
I had used Does the Center Hold? but it's chapter on metaphysics was exclusively on philosophy of mind (not really dealing with space and time, causality, etc.), and the chapter on philosophy of religion was just terrible. Anyone have any ideas?
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James Hannam
I am a historian of the relationship between science and religion, and also write on the UK tax system. My first book was published as God's Philosophers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science in the UK and The Genesis of Science: How the Christian Middle Ages Launched the Scientific Revolution in the US. My apologetics website is Bede's Library. I am also the author What Everyone Needs to Know about Tax and write about tax at my other blog. I can be found on Twitter as @DrJamesHannam.
Humphrey Clarke
I am a historian of a very middling and amateurish sort. Having taken a Masters in Modern History at the University of St Andrews (2004), I completed a law conversion course at Nottingham Law School and embarked upon what has been an exciting career in legal technology. My chief interests are in Twentieth Century History, Colonial America, Historiography and, most recently, the History of Science. I also write a satirical blog at The Diary of Humphrey Clarke. I hope my contributions to Quodlibeta capture something of the pleasure I get from trawling my dusty collection of second hand history books.
Jim S
I have a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Master's degrees in Philosophy and Theology. I'm a generalist, my areas of expertise being epistemology, logic, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and science and religion. I did my philosophical studies in Continental Europe, and currently reside in the Pacific Northwest. I also write the Agent Intellect blog. In my mid-20s I decided to refute Christianity to set my conscience at ease. Two subjects I turned to in particular were science and philosophy. I accidentally argued myself into it.
I am a historian of the relationship between science and religion, and also write on the UK tax system. My first book was published as God's Philosophers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science in the UK and The Genesis of Science: How the Christian Middle Ages Launched the Scientific Revolution in the US. My apologetics website is Bede's Library. I am also the author What Everyone Needs to Know about Tax and write about tax at my other blog. I can be found on Twitter as @DrJamesHannam.
Humphrey Clarke
I am a historian of a very middling and amateurish sort. Having taken a Masters in Modern History at the University of St Andrews (2004), I completed a law conversion course at Nottingham Law School and embarked upon what has been an exciting career in legal technology. My chief interests are in Twentieth Century History, Colonial America, Historiography and, most recently, the History of Science. I also write a satirical blog at The Diary of Humphrey Clarke. I hope my contributions to Quodlibeta capture something of the pleasure I get from trawling my dusty collection of second hand history books.
Jim S
I have a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Master's degrees in Philosophy and Theology. I'm a generalist, my areas of expertise being epistemology, logic, philosophy of mind, philosophy of religion, and science and religion. I did my philosophical studies in Continental Europe, and currently reside in the Pacific Northwest. I also write the Agent Intellect blog. In my mid-20s I decided to refute Christianity to set my conscience at ease. Two subjects I turned to in particular were science and philosophy. I accidentally argued myself into it.
9 comments:
Perhaps the novel Sophie's World would cover that well.
I'm not sure such a beast meeting all of these requirements exists, but I'd be grateful to hear that I'm wrong.
The best introduction that I know is Thomas Nagel's "What Does it all Mean?"
How about "Think" by Simon Blackburn? I have no idea if it fits the criterion, but it's the only philosophy book I've ever read. Sorry if I'm totally off base.
You could try Warburton's 'Philosophy: the basics' (probably a bit weak on historical exposition and phil. of religion for your purposes). It's cheap on its own, but works best with his reader 'Philosophy: basic readings' (which isn't).
Perhaps "Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult"?
http://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Made-Slightly-Less-Difficult/dp/0830827668/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407558580&sr=1-1&keywords=philosophy+made+slightly+less+difficult
AN INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY by Daniel J. Sullivan
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