Exploring Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195136195 ISBN 13: 9780195136197

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2000

Synopsis

Those who begin the study of philosophy may easily become discouraged. Many classic texts are daunting in their complexity, and much contemporary writing is intended primarily for a professional audience. In Exploring Philosophy, Steven M. Cahn has gathered recent essays by noted philosophers who place a premium on clarity, plus a number of the most accessible historical sources, thereby showing general readers what it means to think like a philosopher.
Here is a remarkably accessible and engaging introduction to philosophy. These carefully edited essays are topically organized, and address issues drawn from the major fields of philosophy, such as knowledge and skepticism, freedom and determinism, mind and body, the existence of God, the problem of evil, faith and reason, cultural relativism, abortion, euthanasia, democracy, privacy, capital punishment, affirmative action, death, and the meaning of life. The collection also contains, in preeminent translations and with explanatory notes, the complete texts of Plato's Meno, Euthyphro, Apology, and Crito as well as specially selected materials by Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Mill. Also provided are an introduction to logic and scientific method and guiding commentary by the editor.
Steven M. Cahn has proved that it is possible to discuss the core topics of philosophy without arcane terminology, unexplained references, or convoluted arguments. For anyone interested in delving into philosophy, this anthology offers an impressive sampling of lucid, inviting articles that tackle some of the field's most provocative questions.

About this title

About the Author

Steven M. Cahn is Professor of Philosophy at The Graduate School of the City University of New York. He is the author of Saints and Scamps: Ethics in Academia, Revised Edition (1994), editor of Classics of Western Philosophy, 5/e (1999) and Classics of Modern Political Theory: Machiavelli to Mill (OUP, 1997), and coeditor of Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues (OUP, 1998). He lives in New York City.

Review

"Exploring Philosophy makes important philosophical issues relevant and accessible to the reader. The selections have been well chosen to show what it means to think like a philosopher. A highly commendable anthology of important readings in philosophy."--Diane Ravitch, author of The Great
School Wars and former Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education

"This bold yet very wise anthology splendidly proves that philosophy texts can display substance and rigor without being arcane, intimidating, or trendy."--David Shatz, Professor of Philosophy, Yeshiva University

"Exploring Philosophy engages readers in a dialogue between the West's ancients and its moderns on questions that remain fundamental to the human experience. Plato and Walzer, Elizabeth and Munroe Beardsley, Aquinas and Bertrand Russell, Aristotle and Sidney Hook. The discourse ranges from:
What is philosophy? and does God exist? to affirmative action. The balance in points of view and Cahn's introductory remarks stimulate the reader to consider these questions in fresh new ways. The striking omission is jargon. Cahn has chosen texts that communicate clearly--yes, to students--but also
to doctors, artists, and stockbrokers, to adults whose life experiences make them want to get back to exploring philosophy."--Claire L. Gaudiani, President, Connecticut College

"The contemporary essays in this anthology have been carefully chosen and the historical selections skillfully edited so that the whole volume presents genuinely deep work that is at the same time genuinely accessible. This book represents a wonderful idea, beautifully executed."--Karen
Hanson, Professor of Philosophy, Indiana University

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0195136195
• ISBN 13: 9780195136197
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 448
• Editor: Cahn Steven M.