First Philosophy, concise edition: Fundamental Problems and Readings in Philosophy

This concise edition of the acclaimed introductory anthology First Philosophy brings together thirty readings on six topics central to philosophy. Mindful of the intrinsic difficulty of much of the material, the editor has provided comprehensive introductions both to the six topics and to each individual selection. By providing a detailed discussion of the historical and intellectual background to each piece, he aims to enable readers to approach the material without unnecessary barriers to understanding. The topics――from "Does God exist?" to "Do we have free will?" and "What is justice?"――have been chosen with a view both to their philosophical importance and to their interest to the first-year student. In an introductory chapter, the editor provides a brief introduction to the nature of philosophical enquiry, to the nature of argument, and to the process of reading and writing within the academic discipline of philosophy.

Andrew Bailey, who obtained degrees from the University of Oxford and the University of Calgary, is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Guelph.