A Preface to Philosophy

by Woodhouse, Mark B.

• ISBN13: 9780534528300
• ISBN10: 0534528309
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-08-06
• 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	xi
A Note to Students	xiii
Recognizing Philosophical Subject Matter	1	(19)
Philosophical Problems Involve Fundamental Ideas	3	(1)
Philosophical Problems Involve Questions of Meaning, Truth (Rational Defensibility), and Logical Relations	4	(5)
Philosophical Problems Are Not Straightfowardly Empirical	9	(3)
Two Case Studies	12	(2)
Taking Your First Philosophy Course	14	(4)
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 Philosophers?	34	(2)
Philosophical Progress: Clearing Up Some Misconceptions	36	(10)
Philosophy Is Not Merely an Exercise in Semantics	36	(1)
The Choice Between Competing Theories Is Not Arbitrary	37	(1)
Philosophers Do Agree	38	(2)
Philosophical Theories Are Not Merely Rationalizations of Personal Belief	40	(2)
Why Be Rational?	42	(2)
Postscript: The Cultural Matrix 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	(22)
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)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Near-Death Experience	78	(3)
An Example of Philosophical Analysis: Equality of Opportunity	81	(2)
Common Fallacies in Argument	83	(12)
Question-Begging Arguments	83	(2)
False Alternative	85	(1)
False Disjunct	85	(1)
Ad Hominem Fallacy	86	(1)
Genetic Fallacy	87	(1)
Red Herring Fallacy	87	(1)
Straw Man	88	(1)
Slippery Slope	88	(1)
Appeal to Tradition	89	(1)
Bandwagon	89	(1)
Composition	90	(1)
Division	90	(1)
Hasty Generalization	91	(1)
Appeal to Ignorance	91	(1)
False Cause	91	(1)
Equivocation	92	(1)
Illicit Appeal to Authority	92	(1)
A Final Checklist	93	(1)
Exercises	93	(2)
Reading Philosophy	95	(11)
Kings of Philosophical Writings	95	(2)
Preparing to Read Philosophy	97	(1)
Reading for Understanding	98	(7)
Reading Critically	105	(1)
Writing Philosophy	106	(18)
The Nature of a Critical Philosophy Essay	106	(2)
Organizing Your Essay	108	(3)
Achieving Clarity	111	(4)
A Sample Essay	115	(7)
Postscript: A Note on Research Materials	122	(2)
Answers to Exercises	124	(8)
Appendix	132	(17)
Glossary	149	(14)
Index	163