Philosophical Dilemmas A Pro and Con Introduction to the Major Questions

by Washburn, Phil

• ISBN13: 9780195134964
• ISBN10: 0195134966
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-12-14
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Philosophical Dilemmas: A Pro and Con Introduction to the Major Questions, 2/e, is a lucidly written and comprehensive introduction to philosophy featuring sixty brief essays arranged in pairs. Each pair answers one of the standard philosophical questions, such as "Does God exist?" or "Ismorality relative?," with affirmative and negative responses. Each essay takes a definite stand and promotes it vigorously, creating a sharp contrast between the two positions and giving each abstract theory a more personal and believable "voice." While the essays often employ traditional argumentsof great philosophers, they present the ideas in contemporary language with vivid examples. The accessible style and conflicting answers encourage students to examine the different positions and to think carefully about which essay makes the stronger case. While other textbooks present a series ofexcerpts and theories without attempting to coordinate them into a larger picture, Philosophical Dilemmas teaches students about the process of thinking philosophically and encourages them to construct their own coherent worldviews. This second edition features new sections on race, gender,euthanasia, and Buddhist philosophy, showing students how philosophy applies to issues that they may encounter in their own lives. The text incorporates numerous pedagogical features including a list of historical parallels, key terms, chapter summaries, a glossary, an introduction to each issue, and critical questions following each essay. Brief sections throughout the book describe numerous critical thinking techniquesdemonstrated by the essays. An annotated bibliography of historical examples for each issue and useful lists of contemporary sources further enhance the text's utility. An Instructor's Manual, including chapter summaries, writing assignments, and test questions, is available.

Table of Contents

God, Immortality, and Faith	15	(80)
Does God Exist?	16	(13)
Is God Like Human Beings?	29	(12)
Can God Allow Innocent Suffering?	41	(11)
Is the Soul Immortal?	52	(10)
Is Faith an Answer?	62	(13)
Current Controversy: Is Buddhism Philosophy?	75	(20)
Liberty, Equality, and Justice	95	(92)
Is Society Based on a Contract?	96	(13)
Is Liberty the Highest Social Value?	109	(14)
Is Equality the Highest Social Value?	123	(12)
Is Capitalism Just?	135	(14)
Should We Establish a World Government?	149	(14)
Current Controversy: Is Race Essential to Identity?	163	(24)
Happiness, Obligations, and Values	187	(88)
Is Pleasure the Only Value?	188	(15)
Can We Understand Happiness?	203	(10)
Is Morality Relative?	213	(13)
Is Happiness the Standard of Morality?	226	(15)
Is Society the Source of Values?	241	(10)
Current Controversy: Should Doctors Ever End People's Lives?	251	(24)
Free Will, Mind, and Human Nature	275	(84)
Are We Free?	276	(14)
Are We Responsible for Our Actions?	290	(11)
Is the Mind Nothing but the Brain?	301	(12)
Can Computers Think?	313	(12)
Are We Always Selfish?	325	(11)
Current Controversy: Are the Differences between Men and Women Philosophically Significant?	336	(23)
Knowledge, Science, and Truth	359	(1)
Can We Know about the External World?	360	(11)
Does Science Give Us Real Knowledge?	371	(11)
Is Experience the Source of All Knowledge?	382	(14)
Is Certainty the Standard of Knowledge?	396	(14)
Current Controversy: Does Truth Exist?	410