A Preface to Philosophy

by Mark B. Woodhouse

• ISBN13: 9780534205560
• ISBN10: 0534205569
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1993-06-08
• 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 Sixth Edition	p. xi
A Note to Students	p. xiii
Recognizing Philosophical Subject Matter	p. 1
Philosophical Problems Involve Fundamental Ideas	p. 3
Philosophical Problems Involve Questions of Meaning, Truth (Rational Defensibility), and Logical Relations	p. 4
Philosophical Problems Are Not Straightfowardly Empirical	p. 9
Two Case Studies	p. 12
Taking Your First Philosophy Course	p. 14
Study Questions	p. 18
Postscript: Divisions of Philosophy	p. 18
Why Philosophize?	p. 20
How Philosophers See Their Goals	p. 20
The Relevance of Philosophy	p. 29
The Lure of Philosophical Issues	p. 31
Postscript: Are Gurus Philosophers?	p. 34
Philosophical Progress: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions	p. 36
Philosophy Is Not Merely an Exercise in Semantics	p. 36
The Choice Between Competing Theories Is Not Arbitrary	p. 37
Philosophers Do Agree	p. 38
Philosophical Theories Are Not Merely Rationalizations of Personal Belief	p. 40
Why Be Rational?	p. 42
Postscript: The Cultural Matrix of Reason	p. 44
Doing Philosophy: Getting Started	p. 46
Preparing to Philosophize	p. 47
What Kind of Claim Is Advanced?	p. 48
The Claims: A Summary	p. 52
Exercises	p. 54
What Is the Meaning of Key Terms?	p. 55
Exercises	p. 60
Doing Philosophy: Further Considerations	p. 61
Do the Arguments Support the Thesis?	p. 61
Exercises	p. 67
Are the Premises True?	p. 68
Are the Assumptions Correct?	p. 68
Exercises	p. 71
Are the Logical Consequences Plausible?	p. 72
Exercises	p. 75
How Adequate Is the Theory?	p. 75
Exercises	p. 78
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Near-Death Experience	p. 78
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Equality of Opportunity	p. 81
Common Fallacies in Argument	p. 83
Question-Begging Arguments	p. 83
False Alternative	p. 85
False Disjunct	p. 85
Ad Hominem Fallacy	p. 86
Genetic Fallacy	p. 87
Red Herring Fallacy	p. 87
Straw Man	p. 88
Slippery Slope	p. 88
Appeal to Tradition	p. 89
Bandwagon	p. 89
Composition	p. 90
Division	p. 90
Hasty Generalization	p. 91
Appeal to Ignorance	p. 91
False Cause	p. 91
Equivocation	p. 92
Illicit Appeal to Authority	p. 92
A Final Checklist	p. 93
Exercises	p. 93
Reading Philosophy	p. 95
Kinds of Philosophical Writings	p. 95
Preparing to Read Philosophy	p. 97
Reading for Understanding	p. 98
Reading Critically	p. 105
Writing Philosophy	p. 106
The Nature of a Critical Philosophy Essay	p. 106
Organizing Your Essay	p. 108
Achieving Clarity	p. 111
A Sample Essay	p. 115
Postscript: A Note on Research Materials	p. 122
Answers to Exercises	p. 124
Appendix	p. 132
Glossary	p. 149
Index	p. 163
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