Ten Theories of Human Nature - Softcover

Stevenson, Leslie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0195120418 ISBN 13: 9780195120417

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1998

Synopsis

With over a quarter of a million copies sold since 1974, Seven Theories of Human Nature was a remarkably popular introduction to key points of Western thought. Now entitled Ten Theories of Human Nature, this completely revised and expanded third edition broadens the cultural and historical range by incorporating new chapters on Hinduism, Confucianism, and Kant. It also extends and deepens the discussion of the original seven theories, taking into account the most recent scholarship and addressing issues of feminism and relativism. A new final chapter reviews the prospects and limits of the scientific understanding of human nature and includes a survey of nine different types of psychology.
This lucid text compresses into a small space the essence of such ancient traditions as Confucianism, Hinduism, and the Old and New Testaments as well as the theories of Plato, Immanuel Kant, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Jean-Paul Sartre, B.F. Skinner, and Konrad Lorenz. The authors juxtapose the ideas of these and other thinkers in a way that helps students understand how humanity has struggled to comprehend its nature. To encourage readers to think critically for themselves, the book examines each theory on four points--the nature of the universe, the nature of humanity, the ills of humanity, and the proposed cure for these ills. Ideal for introductory courses in philosophy, religious studies, human nature, and intellectual history, Ten Theories of Human Nature will engage and motivate students and other readers to consider who we are, what motivates us, and how we can understand and improve the world.

About this title

About the Author

Leslie Stevenson, Reader in Logic and Metaphysics, University of St. Andrews, Scotland. David L. Haberman, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Indiana University.

Review

Praise for the previous edition:"A splendid little book. Stevenson has a gift for distilling the essentials of a point of view or system of thought. The chapters on Plato, Christianity, Marx, Freud, and Sartre are gems of expository clarity and critical good sense."--Michael Washburn, Indiana
University, South Bend

"A lucid and fascinating introduction to some major theories."--Duncan Richter, Virginia Military Institute

"Easy-to-read and organized uniformly. An excellent foundation text for the course in Clinical Supervision, as understanding human nature is an essential antecedent to the development of supervisory theories."--George A. Jacinto, School of Social Work, University of Central Florida

"This was a good book when it first came out...and is a still better one now....A fine introduction to the big philosophical problems, a well-made map for bewildered students genning up to clear their minds for the next millennium."-Mary Midgley in the Times Higher Educational
Supplement

"This was a good book when it first came out...and is a still better one now....A fine introduction to the big philosophical problems, a well-made map for bewildered students genning up to clear their minds for the next millennium."-Mary Midgley in The Times Higher Education Supplement

"Excellent introduction of the basic human events." --Doug Kenmar, Moody Bible Institute

"One of the best texts I've used in Critical Thinking classes (by student evaluation ratings too!) This is more than just a collection; it is well edited, thoughtfully annotated, and the selections work! Five stars: I"ll definitely use it again--and again!"--Donald K. Skiles, Chabot
College

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0195120418
• ISBN 13: 9780195120417
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 256