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Philosophy: The Basics (Basics (Routledge Paperback)) Paperback – 13 May 2004

by Nigel Warburton (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 57 customer reviews
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Product details

  • Paperback: 184 pages
  • Publisher: Routledge; 4 edition (13 May 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0415327733
  • ISBN-13: 978-0415327732
  • Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 12.9 x 1.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 93,013 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

About the Author

Nigel Warburton is Senior Lecturer at the Open University. He is editor of Philosophy: Basics Readings, co-author of Reading Political Philosophy and author of Philosophy: The Classics, Thinking from A-Z, Freedom: An Introduction with Readings, The Art Question and Ernö Goldfinger: The Life of An Architect.

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsDoes exactly what it says on the tin.
By filthmonkey on 9 Aug. 2006
Format: Paperback
This book was written with the philosophical novice in mind, and it succeeds emphatically at introducing the basic philosophical problems to the beginner. The topics covered are: The Existence of God, morality and ethics, politics, epistemology (the theory of knowledge - i.e. "what can we know?"), the philosophy of science, the philosophy of the mind, and aesthetics (art and beauty).

The book is written in a VERY accessible style, so even if you have never encountered philosophy or have previously been put off by dense and hard-to-understand texts, with this book you won't have that problem.

For each of the topics covered Nigel Warburton discusses how it has been proposed, and what the counter-arguments are, and encourages you to think for yourself along the way. At the end of each section there are suggested reading lists if you want to pursue the matter with your own further reading.

The one reservation I have is that obviously, being a philosopher, the author has some preferences for particular arguments as opposed to others. There is a slight hint in places that this is so, and so STRICTLY speaking not all is neutral. But I don't think this undermines the book as a beginner's text AT ALL. I would highly recommend it.
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5.0 out of 5 starsEvery philosopher at every level should own this book
By riverkey on 3 Feb. 2006
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I did a philosophy degree and I remember getting a bit dismayed by some of the books I had to read. Then I stumbled across this. In his introduction he writes that philosophy is often seen as harder than it actually is and this is because many philosophers aren't good writers.

This is 100% true and restored my faith in philosophy. Warburton is an extremely clear writer and covers the essential points is a lucid manner. If it's within the scope of this book then any essay you have to write, or topic you are interested in should begin with this book. Of course you will need others but this is a great starting point.

See also his 'philosophy: a-z' You might also find Bryan Magee's books useful and Bertrand Russell is a bit of a genius too.
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5.0 out of 5 starsGreat for anyone!
By A Customer on 22 Nov. 2001
Format: Paperback
I have just embarked on a two year philosophy A-Level course and i am using Warburton's book as a stepping stone to discoving many aspects of philosophy. The clarity and use of language makes this book easy for anyone to understand, not just academics. It allows easy access to the world of philosophy unlike so many other books on this topic. Well done Nigel!
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5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent summary, ideal for beginner
By Dr. Victor Chua on 23 Sept. 2001
Format: Paperback
Context: I always wanted to do a philosophy degree, but other subjects always seemed more practical. So at the age of 32, after a BA, MB, BChir, and MRCS, I started reading with the help of Warburton's book and a couple of philosophy PhD students at Cambridge.
The book: Short, crisp, lays out philosophical positions well. A wonderful starting and jumping-off point and organiser when you don't have the structure of an academic course to follow. I would recommend it to people with similar requirements to me. However, remember that philosophy needs to be discussed, not merely read. My first mistake was to treat philosophy as a body of knowledge to be acquired, much as science and medicine was.
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4.0 out of 5 starsEXCELLENT BOOK FOR REVISION
By Sarah on 10 Sept. 2002
Format: Paperback
I have just completed an ethics and philosophy A Level for which I used this book. The book itself is clear and concise, making it excellent revision material. It covers all of the standard need to know topics and does so in an intelligent, factual manner! Definitly use this for A Level standards although I would not reccomend using it as a basis for research as it simply isn't detailed enough.
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5.0 out of 5 starsSimply Excellent!
By A Customer on 19 Sept. 2000
Format: Paperback
Like many others I always considered philosophy a topic for the high intellects of the world. After reading this book I have come to realise that philosophy is a topic which most of us deal with every day without ever knowing it, and more than that ... it is something that EVERYONE can do! Nigel has written a clear and easy to understand blow by blow account of the very basics of the subject while managing to aviod the patronising tone that one often associates with many other books of this kind. A must for anyone coming to philosophy for the first time
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5.0 out of 5 starsSuperb!
By A. I. Mackenzie VINE VOICE on 7 Dec. 2007
Format: Paperback
Like 'Philosophy - the classics', this is an excellent book, reference and general reader. It gives a useful reading list at the end of each chapter.

The Basics takes a topic based approach, including Philosophy of : Science, Mind, Religion, the external world etc. and starts off by expounding the theory (say behaviourism) and then the arguments against it.

Warburton writes really clearly and this book is a useful resource for student and anyone interested in Philosophy.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA comprehensive guide for all philosophy beginners.
By Mr on 16 Dec. 1999
Format: Paperback
I am a 1st year theology student who always considered philosophy too high brow to even comtemplate reading.
Warburton's books helped me overcome my concerns. He demythologises philosophy and gives beginners like me an opportunity to get to grips with concepts of philosophy.
Warburton helped me to a greater understanding in many areas. The first was the ontological argument. I read Anselm's Proslogion alongside Warburton's explanation and things became clear.
Do not expect to be given answers, the one thing about philosophy is that you have to think for yourself. The seeds that Warburton gives facilitate independant thought. The philosophical questions that last sentence generates is a point in fact.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent

Excellent book covers all the basics in easy to read style

Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent overview

Excellent non bias view of the various elements of philosophy explained in a easy relaxing and informative manner

Published 2 months ago by Peter Burns
5.0 out of 5 starsInteresting read

All I can say about this is. WOW. Excellent product. Accurate positive reviews. Would highly recommend for the price. Unbeatable.

Published 3 months ago by A Rees
1.0 out of 5 starsBiased book with significant oversights.

This is a poor book if you want an honest overview of philosophy and philosophical thought. You need to read carefully to deduce that the author is not unbiased and subtly steers... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Artmarkit
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent condition and fast delivery

Published 4 months ago by Anita
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Book arrived on time nice and clean good price

Published 5 months ago by michael blackwell
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

A great introduction to philosophy. Well written and easy to follow.

Published 7 months ago by Jake
5.0 out of 5 starsVery Good

Excellent, readable and understandable.

Published 9 months ago by blyth
5.0 out of 5 starsExcellent

This is an excellent introduction to philosophy. Highly recommend if you are just starting out. I think it covers everything you need. Read more

Published 10 months ago by Cheryl
4.0 out of 5 starsA superb introductory book to Philosophy

Although I already have a Philosophy degree this book was a great little recap of areas I had forgotten about and a great introduction to areas I hadn't the opportunity to look... Read more

Published 10 months ago by DJRodger

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