What is Philosophy?: An IntroductionIt is difficult to see any common factors underlying all the different philosophies and movements of philosophy. The so-called 'great philosophers' seem to have little in common with each other. The history of western philosophy features a bewildering variety of philosophical movements that pop up from nowhere. Philosophy itself seems to be an unfathomable subject that applies everywhere and nowhere. This book makes sense of all these disparities and confusions. What is Philosophy? shows the importance of philosophy in our thoughts and our lives. It also makes clear the role that philosophy has played in making western culture so dominant in the early 21st century. The book presents an orderly view of philosophy, what it consists of, and where it appears to be going. The book also gives a unified view of how philosophy developed historically and how philosophy has often moved from dogmatism to scepticism and vice versa. Providing a comprehensive view of the whole field of philosophy, it is an ideal introduction for all those wishing to learn more about the subject. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
What philosophy is about How philosophy works The study of philosophy | 15 |
Why philosophy arose among the Greeks Thales Anaximander Anaximenes | 28 |
Socrates The trial of Socrates Plato The Republic Platos Dialogues | 44 |
Berkeley The Scottish Enlightenment Hume Smith Reid Kant | 78 |
Reality Knowledge Causation Induction | 137 |
identity Mind and body Freewill Time Truth What are we here for? | 144 |
Index | 150 |
Copyright | |