Beginning Philosophy

by Double, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780195117813
• ISBN10: 0195117816
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-09-03
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Beginning Philosophy provides an introduction to the fundamentalphilosophical problems in a straight-forward, reader-friendly style. It coverslogic and reasoning, theory of knowledge, the nature of the external world, themind/body problem, ethics, free will, the existence of God, and the problem ofevil. It contains both extensive quotes from historical figures, such asAquinas, Hume and Descartes, and references to some philosophical-minded,non-philosophers, such as Dostoevski and Carl Sagan.The book is designed to be as easy to read as possible while maintaining itsacademic rigor. Where difficult words cannot be avoided, they are definted inparentheses when they first appear in each chapter. Philosophical concepts areunderlined the first time they appear in each chapter. In addition, there is anextensive glossary of philosophical terms at the end of the book as well as aglossary of philosophers. At the same time, this book represents serious,systematic thinking across a wide range of subjects in analytical philosophy.The interconnection of philosophical problems and the relation of philosophy andscience are emphasized throughout.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Chapter 1 Introduction	1	(13)
What Is Philosophy?	1	(3)
How Is Philosophy Possible?	4	(1)
A Survey of the Topics Covered in the Text	5	(5)
Why Do Philosophy?	10	(1)
Guide Questions	11	(1)
Review Questions for Examinations	11	(1)
Discussion Questions	12	(1)
For Further Reading	12	(2)
Chapter 2 Some Methodological Tools	14	(26)
Definition and Meaning	14	(3)
Logic	17	(9)
Inference to the Best Explanation	26	(2)
Cognitive Errors	28	(4)
Methodological Tools at Work	32	(3)
Logical Definitions Chart	35	(1)
Guide Questions	36	(1)
Review Questions for Examinations	36	(1)
Discussion Questions	37	(1)
For Further Reading	38	(2)
Chapter 3 Theory of Knowledge	40	(34)
Introduction	40	(6)
Epistemology and Epistemic Agency	46	(4)
The General Problem of Skepticism	50	(4)
Specific Skeptical Problems	54	(8)
Inference to the Best Explanation	62	(4)
A Challenge to the Theory of Knowledge	66	(3)
Misconceptions about the Theory of Knowledge	69	(1)
Guide Questions	70	(1)
Review Questions for Examinations	71	(1)
Discussion Questions	72	(1)
For Further Reading	73	(1)
Chapter 4 The Nature of the External World	74	(27)
Introduction	74	(9)
Direct Realism	83	(1)
Scientific Realism	84	(7)
Phenomenalism	91	(6)
A Final Remark on the Debate Between the Realists and the Phenomenalists	97	(1)
Guide Questions	97	(1)
Review Questions for Examinations	98	(1)
Discussion Questions	99	(1)
For Further Reading	100	(1)
Chapter 5 The Mind/Body Problem	101	(36)
Introduction	101	(4)
Dualistic Theories	105	(14)
Materialism	119	(9)
Artificial Intelligence as a Challenge for Materialism	128	(3)
Conclusion	131	(1)
Misconceptions about the Mind/Body Problem	132	(1)
Guide Questions	132	(2)
Review Questions for Examinations	134	(1)
Discussion Questions	135	(1)
For Further Reading	136	(1)
Chapter 6 Normative Ethics	137	(35)
Introduction	137	(6)
Some Problematic Theories of Moral Obligation	143	(10)
Two Main Approaches to Moral Obligation: Consequentialism and Deontology	153	(13)
Mixed Theories and What They Show about Normative Ethics	166	(1)
Guide Questions	167	(1)
Review Questions for Examinations	168	(2)
Discussion Questions	170	(1)
For Further Reading	171	(1)
Chapter 7 Metaethics	172	(27)
Introduction	172	(7)
Objectivist Theories of Moral Judgments	179	(7)
Subjectivism	186	(7)
A Final Assessment of the Dispute Between the Objectivists and Subjectivists	193	(1)
Guide Questions	194	(2)
Review Questions for Examinations	196	(1)
Discussion Questions	197	(1)
For Further Reading	197	(2)
Chapter 8 The Free Will Problem	199	(34)
Introduction	199	(2)
Six Theories	201	(8)
Summary of the Six Theories	209	(1)
The Four Questions Considered	210	(14)
The Case for Subjectivism	224	(3)
Misconceptions about the Free Will Problem	227	(1)
Guide Questions	227	(2)
Review Questions for Examinations	229	(1)
Discussion Questions	230	(2)
For Further Reading	232	(1)
Chapter 9 The Existence of God	233	(41)
Introduction	233	(5)
Faith-Based Arguments for the Existence of God	238	(6)
A Posteriori Arguments for the Existence of God	244	(19)
An A Priori Argument for the Existence of God: The Ontological Argument	263	(3)
The Case for Atheism	266	(3)
Guide Questions	269	(1)
Review Questions for Examinations	270	(1)
Discussion Questions	271	(1)
For Further Reading	272	(2)
Chapter 10 The Problem of Evil	274	(23)
Introduction	274	(5)
The Best of All Possible Worlds	279	(3)
Evil as a Necessary Part of Any World	282	(3)
The Virtue (Soul-Making) Defense	285	(3)
The Free Will Defense	288	(3)
Animal Suffering	291	(1)
A Problem of Goodness?	292	(1)
Guide Questions	293	(2)
Review Questions for Examinations	295	(1)
Discussion Questions	295	(1)
For Further Reading	296	(1)
Chapter 11 A Total Picture	297	(6)
Philosophy as Worldview Construction	297	(1)
A Worldview	298	(1)
The Meaning of Life	299	(2)
Discussion Questions	301	(1)
For Further Reading	302	(1)
Philosophical Quotes	303	(7)
Glossary of Philosophical Terms	310	(17)
Glossary of Names	327	(4)
Works Cited	331	(8)
Index	339