Philosophy: An Introduction to the Art of Wondering - Softcover

Christian, James L.

4.34

100 ratings by Goodreads

9780495505044: Philosophy: An Introduction to the Art of Wondering

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0495505048 ISBN 13: 9780495505044

Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing, 2008

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Discover a provocative, timeless overview of philosophy that you will find nowhere else with the tenth edition of this classic introductory text, PHILOSOPHY: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF WONDERING. Author James L. Christian takes a unique synoptic approach that is sure to both engage and visually captivate you as the book focuses on the big picture and the interdisciplinary origins of philosophical thinking. This edition's fascinating presentation is interwoven with cartoons, quotations, and related findings from the social and physical sciences that ensure central philosophical concepts are accessible. New learning objectives in this edition further strengthen the book's reader-friendly approach. An eclectic range of topics reinforces the author's presentation of philosophy as the individual's attempt to unify disparate world views. This edition enhances coverage of feminism. Interspersed biographies provide glimpses into the lives of great thinkers who have molded the Western philosophical tradition and largely influenced how society thinks today. With the help of Christian's PHILOSOPHY: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF WONDERING, Tenth Edition, you can refine the analytical skills you need to evaluate critically and contribute to the big picture of Western philosophy for yourself.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

James Christian received an STB in Historical Theology and a PhD in Philosophy of History, both from Boston University and is now Professor Emeritus at Santa Ana College. Long renowned for his engaging teaching and writing style, he is also author of I am also the author of ETI: The First Encounter, and a two-volume history of Western thought entitled The Wisdom Seekers: Great Philosophers of the Western World (Wadsworth, 2002). Of his approach, Christian says "Intellectually, I am a child of my teacher Arnold Toynbee who instilled in me a passion to see all existence as a single phenomenon but without losing sight of the most minute details--this cave painting, this footnote, this flower in this crannied wall."

Review:

"the most reader-friendly text available."

"Other strengths of the Christian text are the marginal tidbits of wisdom and the broad, synoptic view of philosophy it presents."

"I have found that my students relate better to Christian's material and style than to his competitors. I support Christian's invitation to students to develop their own philosophy on key issues by discovering what "the great ones" have thought about the key issues of philosophy."

"Christian does seem to do an excellent job highlighting the philosophical concerns of almost every conceivable discipline. Christian shows how the concerns of sociologists, psychologists, biologists, physicists, chemists, and anthropologists are inseparable from the concerns and interests of philosophers."

"Non-Western perspectives are treated with the respect and the seriousness they deserve, but are also held to critical scrutiny (something my current text does not do very well). I like that the book ends with this section. It provides a sense of closure and the final exercise questions require the student to step back and consider this new experience of philosophy not as an intellectual exercise, but as something vital to a meaningful life."

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.