Philosophy For Dummies, UK Edition

by Cohen, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780470688205
• ISBN10: 0470688203
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-01-24
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Confused by metaphysics? In a muddle with aesthetics? Intimidated by Kant? Then look no further! Philosophy For Dummies, UK Edition is a complete crash-course in philosophical thought, covering key philosophers, philosophical history and theory and the big questions that affect us today. Tying in with standard UK curricula and including core topics such as logic, ethics and political philosophy, this impartial, expert guide cuts through the jargon to give you the facts. Whether you're a philosophy student or a complete beginner, Philosophy For Dummies, UK Edition will get you thinking and talking about philosophy in no time, and with maximum confidence. Philosophy For Dummies, UK Edition includes:Part I: What is Philosophy? Chapter 1: What's Philosophy All About? Chapter 2: Why is it important? Chapter 3: Becoming a philosophical thinker Part II: The History of Philosophy Chapter 4: Moving from Ancient History to the Present Day Chapter 5: Looking at Eastern Philosophy Chapter 6: Understanding the 'Isms'Part III: Looking at Perception Chapter 7: Understanding Logic Chapter 8: Understanding Knowledge Chapter 9: Looking at Illusion and Certainty Chapter 10: Interpreting LanguagePart IV: The Mind, Consciousness and Morality Chapter 11: Does God Exist? Chapter 12: Looking at Ethics and Morality Chapter 13: Political Philosophy Chapter 14: Seeing How Society Works Chapter 15: Aesthetics and Human ValuesPart V: Philosophy and Science Chapter 16: What the Ancients Thought About Science Chapter 17: Meeting Some Enlightened Thinkers Chapter 18: Scientific Truth and Scientific Fashions Chapter 19: Eastern Philosophy and Modern PhysicsPart VI: The Part of Tens Chapter 20: Ten Important Philosophical Works - and What They Said Chapter 21: Ten Questions to Keep You Thinking

Author Biography

Martin Cohen is a successful philosophy author who has written numerous books, including 101 Philosophical Problems and 101 Ethical Dilemmas. Martin is the Editor of The Philosopher, one of the UK's oldest philosophy journals.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Part I: What Is Philosophy 7 

Chapter 1: What's Philosophy All About 9

Chapter 2: Discovering Why Philosophy Matters 25 

Chapter 3: Becoming a Philosophical Thinker 43 

Part II: The History of Philosophy 57 

Chapter 4: Looking at Ancient Philosophies 59 

Chapter 5: Moving from the Dark Ages to the Modern Day 73 

Chapter 6: Looking at Eastern Philosophy 99 

Chapter 7: Understanding the 'Isms' 115 

Part III: The Nuts and Bolts of Philosophy 133 

Chapter 8: Seeing the Limits of Logic 135 

Chapter 9: Understanding Knowledge 155 

Chapter 10: Separating Fact from Fiction 167 

Chapter 11: Interpreting Language 185 

Part IV: Exploring the Mind, Consciousness and Morality 203 

Chapter 12: Exploring the Strange Notion of Mind 205 

Chapter 13: Looking at Ethics and Morality 221 

Chapter 14: Political Philosophy 255 

Chapter 15: Looking Out for Liberty 281 

Chapter 16: Aesthetics and Human Values 297 

Part V: Philosophy and Science 319 

Chapter 17: From Ancient Science to Modern Philosophy 321 

Chapter 18: Investigating the Science of Society 333 

Chapter 19: Exploring Scientifi c Truth and Scientific Fashions 355 

Part VI: The Part of Tens 373 

Chapter 20: Ten Famous Philosophical Books – and What They Say 375 

Chapter 21: Ten Philosophical Puzzles to Keep You Thinking 383 

Index 393