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Understand Philosophy: Teach Yourself
 
 
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Understand Philosophy: Teach Yourself [Paperback]

Mel Thompson
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Product details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Teach Yourself (28 May 2010)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1444104993
  • ISBN-13: 978-1444104998
  • Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 58,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Product Description

Product Description


Is this the right book for me?


This book is the essential introduction to the history of Western thought. Covering all the key thinkers, both ancient and modern, and all the major branches of philosophy, it will give you new insights about the world we live in. Packed full of examples and clear explanations, and with key terms defined and explained, it is ideal whether you are student looking for a quick refresher or just want to explore this fascinating topic out of personal interest.


Understand Philosophy includes:

Chapter 1: The theory of knowledge
Empiricism and rationalism
Knowledge and justification: are you certain?
The external world: appearance and reality
Intuitive knowledge
Scepticism
The proof of the pudding...

Chapter 2: The philosophy of science
A historical overview
From evidence to theory: scientific method
Experiments and objectivity
Right, wrong or what?
The social sciences
What counts as science?
Science and authority

Chapter 3: Language and logic
Language and certainty
Language and perception
Knowledge and language
Linguistic philosophy
Formal logic

Chapter 4: The philosophy of mind
Ancient minds: Plato and Aristotle
'I think, therefore I am'
The relationship between mind and body
Survival?
The concept of mind
A 'place' for mind?
Neurones and computers
Knowing me, knowing you
Cognitive science
A 'personal' postscript

Chapter 5: The philosophy of religion
Faith, reason and belief
Religious language
Religious experience
Does God exist?
The origin and design of the universe: religion or science?
Miracles
The problem of evil
Compensation after death?
Psychological and sociological explanations of religion
Some general remarks

Chapter 6: Ethics
Facts, values and choices
Freedom and determinism
Kinds of ethical language
Three bases for ethics
Absolute or relative morality?
Virtue ethics
The social contract
Applied ethics

Chapter 7: Political philosophy
Only individuals?
The social contract
The general will
Marx and materialism
Justice
Freedom and law
Feminism
Some conclusions

Chapter 8: Continental philosophy
Phenomenology
Existentialism
Structuralism
Postmodernism

Chapter 9: Some other branches of philosophy
Aesthetics
The philosophy of history
The philosophy of education

Chapter 10: The scope of philosophy today
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Learn effortlessly with a new easy-to-read page design and interactive features:

Not got much time?
One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.

Author insights
Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.

Test yourself
Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.

Extend your knowledge
Extra online articles to give you a richer understanding of the subject.

Five things to remember
Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.

Try this
Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.


Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Philosophy 19 Jan 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a book which very much lives up to its title. I found it easy to comprehend and an extremely useful guide to the various elements of philosophy dealt with. In particular, I appreciated his 'insights' and 'comments' on the many fields of thought covered, each providing 'snappy' summaries of what for most of us is a rather complex and esoteric subject.
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By Pen
Format:Paperback
Can't complain. An easy to read and informative reference guide for those dabbling in philosophy, and even for those who know their philosophy in certain areas, but maybe not so much in others.

Well worth it.
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