A Preface to Philosophy

by Woodhouse, Mark B.

• ISBN13: 9780534595449
• ISBN10: 0534595448
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-06-17
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

Ever wonder what purpose philosophy serves? That question and others like it are the reason A PREFACE TO PHILOSOPHY was written. With this introduction to philosophy textbook, you'll get a headstart on philosophy class. Plus, it helps you learn to think philosophically, recognize philosophical problems, and avoid the common pitfalls involved in writing philosophical essays. Better grades and less stress in philosophy class makes A PREFACE TO PHILOSOPHY your best choice.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Seventh Edition	vii
A Note to Students	ix
Recognizing Philosophical Issues	1	(19)
Philosophical Problems Involve Fundamental Ideas	3	(1)
Philosophical Problems Involve Questions of Meaning, Truth (Rational Defensibility), and Logical Relations	4	(4)
Philosophical Problems Are Not Strightforwardly Empirical	8	(4)
Two Case Studies	12	(1)
Taking Your First Philosophy Course	13	(5)
Study Questions	18	(1)
Postscript: Divisions of Philosophy	18	(2)
Why Philosophize?	20	(16)
How Philosophers See Their Goals	20	(9)
The Relevance of Philosophy	29	(2)
The Lure of Philosophical Issues	31	(3)
Postscript: Are Gurus Philosphers?	34	(2)
Philosophical Progress: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions	36	(10)
Philosophy Is Not Merely Quibbling Over Words	36	(1)
The Choice Between Competing Theories Is Based on Reason and Does Not Require Absolute Certainty	37	(1)
Philosophers Do Agree	38	(2)
Philosophical Theories Are More Than Personal Beliefs	40	(2)
Why Be Rational?	42	(2)
The Cultural Roots of Reason	44	(2)
Doing Philosophy: Getting Started	46	(15)
Preparing to Philosophize	47	(1)
What Kind of Claim Is Advanced?	48	(4)
The Claims: A Summary	52	(2)
Exercises	54	(1)
What Is the Meaning of Key Terms?	55	(5)
Exercises	60	(1)
Doing Philosophy: Further Considerations	61	(28)
Do the Arguments Support the Thesis?	61	(6)
Exercises	67	(1)
Are the Premises True?	68	(1)
Are the Assumptions Correct?	68	(3)
Exercises	71	(1)
Are the Logical Consequences Plausible?	72	(3)
Exercises	75	(1)
How Adequate Is the Theory?	75	(3)
Exercises	78	(1)
Five Common Informal Fallacies	78	(4)
Exercises	82	(1)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Near-Death Experience	83	(3)
Are Any Informal Fallacies Committed?	86	(1)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Equality of Opportunity	86	(3)
Reading Philosophy	89	(11)
Kinds of Philosophical Writings	89	(2)
Preparing to Read Philosophy	91	(1)
Reading for Understanding	92	(7)
Reading Critically	99	(1)
Writing Philosophy	100	(18)
The Nature of a Critical Philosophy Essay	100	(2)
Organizing Your Essay	102	(3)
Achieving Clarity	105	(4)
A Sample Essay	109	(7)
Postscript: A Note on Research Materials	116	(2)
Answers to Exercises	118	(8)
Appendix	126	(17)
Glossary	143	(14)
Index	157