Values and the Good Life (The Facts on File Guide to Philosophy) - Hardcover

Boersema, David; Middleton, Kari

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0816084831 ISBN 13: 9780816084838

Publisher: Facts on File, 2012

Synopsis

Values and the Good Life examines the study of values, also known as axiology. Its coverage of moral and ethical values explores whether it is ever okay to tell a lie or to steal--and what makes certain actions right and others wrong. This accessible new resource also examines the value concerns that regard our collective, social nature, often called social and political philosophy. For instance, what does it mean to be a good citizen? What are the appropriate roles and functions of government? What does it mean to live a good life? In addition, philosophers are often asked to speak of aesthetic values, or values related to art. They may find themselves wondering what makes a good movie, song, or book. This insightful volume discusses how philosophers attempt to answer these questions and much more.

About this title

About the Author

David Boersema is the Douglas C. Strain Chair of Natural Philosophy at Pacific University. His books include Philosophy of Human Rights: Theory and Practice, Pragmatism and Reference, and Philosophy of Science. He is a member of the American Philosophical Association's Committee on Pre-College Instruction in Philosophy.

Kari Middleton received her Ph.D. in philosophy from Syracuse University.

From Booklist

Philosophy is one of the jewels in the cultural crown of Western civilization. Given that philosophical discourse has addressed so many varied questions over the centuries, ranging from the organization of the ideal political state to the foundations of ethical decision making, presenting the breadth and depth of its insights, especially to a younger audience, is no easy task. The four volumes comprising this new set individually and collectively provide just such an accessible introduction. One way to introduce a field of study is the historical method. Accordingly, the volume entitled History of Western Philosophy begins with the ancient Greeks and ends with contemporary analytical philosophy. Sections for broad historical periods begin with introductory discussion questions, continue with an overview of the period and essays on representative figures, and then close with concluding discussion questions, a glossary of important terms, suggestions for further reading, and brief biographical entries for philosophers of the period that include snippets from their works. All four volumes follow this same organizational scheme. The other three address specific areas of philosophical inquiry. Epistemology (which examines the nature and validity of human cognition), logic, and the implications of both for scientific research are discussed in the volume Knowledge, Logic, and Science. Metaphysics, the philosophy of religion, and the philosophy of mind—which includes analysis of such topics as consciousness and artificial intelligence—are presented in the volume Reality, Religion, and the Mind. Finally, the volume entitled Values and the Good Life covers various types of ethical reflection, political philosophy, and the philosophy of art and aesthetics. Medieval philosophy is, arguably, one period that could have been presented in greater detail. That said, important medieval thinkers, such as Peter Abelard, Thomas Aquinas, and William of Ockham, are mentioned throughout all four volumes. The overuse of parenthetical interpolations, particularly in the history volume, is distracting. Although the authors are to be commended for presenting heady material in a simple, nontechnical manner, the text feels a bit clumsy at times, and there are quite a few awkwardly constructed sentences. On balance, these quibbles are minor. The volumes in the Facts On File Guide to Philosophy invite the reader to explore the richness and variety of this intellectual quest. Perfectly suited to a nonscholarly audience, the set is recommended for high-school and public libraries as well as collections serving undergraduates. Other titles in this series: Knowledge, Logic, and Science (9780816084821) Reality, Religion, and the Mind (9780816081592)History and Western Philosophy (9780816084821) --Christopher McConnell

Edition details

• Publisher: Facts on File
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0816084831
• ISBN 13: 9780816084838
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 308