Philosophy : Key Themes

by Baggini, Julian

• ISBN13: 9780333964873
• ISBN10: 033396487X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-16
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

Philosophy: Key Themes is a beginner's guide to understanding and critiquing philosophical arguments. Each chapter introduces one of the five major themes covered on philosophy courses: Theory of Knowledge, Moral Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Mind, and Political Philosophy. Baggini's approach combines explanation with summary while encouraging the reader to question the arguments and positions presented. This text can be used either independently of, or together with, its companion volume Philosophy: Key Texts .

Author Biography

Julian Baggini is Editor of The Philosophers’ Magazine.

Table of Contents

Preface	x
Acknowledgements	xi
Introduction	1	(1)
Where do we start?	1	(1)
Premises	2	(1)
Forms of rational justification	3	(2)
Critiquing arguments	5	(2)
Beyond demolition	7	(1)
Becoming a philosopher	8	(2)
Theory of Knowledge	10	(25)
What is the theory of knowledge?	10	(1)
Rationalism	11	(3)
Empiricism	14	(1)
Foundationalism	15	(3)
The tripartite account of knowledge	18	(2)
Against the tripartite account	20	(2)
Scepticism concerning knowledge	22	(3)
Scepticism concerning perception	25	(3)
Realism	28	(1)
Idealism	29	(1)
Phenomenalism	30	(2)
Conclusion	32	(3)
Moral Philosophy	35	(26)
What is moral philosophy?	35	(1)
The divisions of moral philosophy	36	(1)
Morality and realism	37	(1)
Non-cognitivism	38	(2)
The role of reason	40	(1)
Prescriptivism	40	(3)
Deontological and consequentialist ethics	43	(3)
Virtue ethics	46	(1)
Utilitarianism	47	(3)
Kantian ethics	50	(2)
Aristotelian ethics	52	(1)
Animal rights	53	(2)
Abortion	55	(1)
Euthanasia	56	(1)
Approaches to applied ethics	57	(1)
Conclusion	58	(3)
Philosophy of Mind	61	(25)
What is the philosophy of mind?	61	(1)
Dualism	62	(3)
Arguments against dualism	65	(2)
Behaviourism	67	(3)
Arguments against behaviourism	70	(1)
Physicalism	71	(3)
Functionalism	74	(3)
Other Minds	77	(2)
Personal identity	79	(3)
Conclusion	82	(4)
Philosophy of Religion	86	(23)
What is the philosophy of religion?	86	(1)
What is God?	87	(1)
The problem of evil	88	(2)
Faith and reason	90	(2)
Betting on God	92	(1)
The status of religious language	93	(2)
The ontological argument	95	(2)
The cosmological argument	97	(2)
The teleological argument	99	(2)
Religious experience	101	(2)
Miracles	103	(1)
God and morality	104	(2)
Conclusion	106	(3)
Political Philosophy	109	(25)
What is political philosophy?	109	(1)
Liberalism	110	(2)
Socialism	112	(1)
Conservatism	113	(2)
Anarchism	115	(2)
Freedom	117	(2)
Justice	119	(3)
Rights	122	(2)
The justification of the state and its authority	124	(2)
Laws and law-breaking	126	(2)
Justifications for punishment	128	(2)
Conclusion	130	(4)
Glossary	134	(2)
Further Reading	136	(1)
Index	137