This is a clear, accessible introduction to the method and subject of Philosophy. Written to meet the needs of students, there are clear note structures at the end of each chapter to help students use the ideas confidently, with movements in thought represented on intellectual maps that will allow them to see how each thought fits into the whole.
'I think this will make a fine textbook. It's a book I would have very much wished to have read when I first studied philosophy. It is consistently engaging and lucid. It never patronises the reader, it challenges the reader in just the right way. It is historically informed, without being a history of philosophy, and it covers a lot of philosophical ground. This is really a remarkable achievement for a lone author.' - Dr. Damian Cox, School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics, University of Queensland, Australia
'Bryan Greetham has, in one way, achieved something remarkable in writing this book: it is as close as one could reasonably hope to being a completely comprehensive introductory textbook in philosophy...The book is well organised and well designed for student use...' - E. J. Lowe, Times Higher Education Supplement
Introduction
The Subject
The Method - Hypothesizing
The Method - Testing for Validity
The Method - Testing for Truth
PART 1: OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXTERNAL WORLD
Knowledge
Truth
Scepticism
Perception - Rationalism and Empiricism
Perception - Idealism and Phenomenalism
Explanations - Purposive and Causal Explanations
Explanations - Confirming and Falsifying Theories
Religion
Reason and Faith
PART 2: UNDERSTANDING THE INDIVIDUAL
The Mind and Mental Events
The Problem of Dualism
The Essence of Self
Creating the Self
Determinism and Freedom
Freedom in Context
Responsibility and Punishment
PART 3: UNDERSTANDING OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHERS
Metaethics
Normative Ethics: Deontology
Normative Ethics: Consequentialism and Virtue Ethics
Politics: Legitimacy and the State
Politics: The Extent of Power
Politics: Forms of Government
Politics: Political Theories
Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
BRYAN GREETHAM is a Researcher at the University of Hull, UK, having previously taught at the University of Newcastle, Australia and the University of Maryland, USA. He is author of the best-selling How to Write Better Essays (Palgrave Macmillan, 2001).
Description
This is a clear, accessible introduction to the method and subject of Philosophy. Written to meet the needs of students, there are clear note structures at the end of each chapter to help students use the ideas confidently, with movements in thought represented on intellectual maps that will allow them to see how each thought fits into the whole.
Reviews
'I think this will make a fine textbook. It's a book I would have very much wished to have read when I first studied philosophy. It is consistently engaging and lucid. It never patronises the reader, it challenges the reader in just the right way. It is historically informed, without being a history of philosophy, and it covers a lot of philosophical ground. This is really a remarkable achievement for a lone author.' - Dr. Damian Cox, School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics, University of Queensland, Australia
'Bryan Greetham has, in one way, achieved something remarkable in writing this book: it is as close as one could reasonably hope to being a completely comprehensive introductory textbook in philosophy...The book is well organised and well designed for student use...' - E. J. Lowe, Times Higher Education Supplement
Contents
Introduction
The Subject
The Method - Hypothesizing
The Method - Testing for Validity
The Method - Testing for Truth
PART 1: OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE EXTERNAL WORLD
Knowledge
Truth
Scepticism
Perception - Rationalism and Empiricism
Perception - Idealism and Phenomenalism
Explanations - Purposive and Causal Explanations
Explanations - Confirming and Falsifying Theories
Religion
Reason and Faith
PART 2: UNDERSTANDING THE INDIVIDUAL
The Mind and Mental Events
The Problem of Dualism
The Essence of Self
Creating the Self
Determinism and Freedom
Freedom in Context
Responsibility and Punishment
PART 3: UNDERSTANDING OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHERS
Metaethics
Normative Ethics: Deontology
Normative Ethics: Consequentialism and Virtue Ethics
Politics: Legitimacy and the State
Politics: The Extent of Power
Politics: Forms of Government
Politics: Political Theories
Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Authors
BRYAN GREETHAM is a Researcher at the University of Hull, UK, having previously taught at the University of Newcastle, Australia and the University of Maryland, USA. He is author of the best-selling How to Write Better Essays (Palgrave Macmillan, 2001).
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