Philosophy For Dummies

Get your head around life′s big questions Philosophy can be a mind–bending topic, leaving you with more questions than you started with. This easy–to–follow guide is an essential introduction to the subject, looking at the big issues and steering you through topics such as existence, knowledge, truth and beauty. Delving into the works of great philosophers and examining how their theories still affect us today, this book will really get you thinking. What′s philosophy all about? – unravel the science of thought and don your own thinking hat Buff up on the history – from ancient times to the modern day, learn about key philosophers from around the globe Get to grips with the ′isms′ – discover the words and theories that shaped philosophy Understand the nuts and bolts – take a journey through logic, knowledge and language Where′s your head at? – peer into the murky depths of the mind and investigate consciousness, morality and more Examine the connection between philosophy and science – find out how philosophers laid the groundwork for theories on space, time and everything in between Open the book and find: Philosophical heavyweights, from Plato to Confucius The God debate How we tell the difference between right and wrong The lowdown on political philosophy A philosophical take on society and its functions An introduction to aesthetics and human values What Eastern philosophy brings to the table Philosophical puzzles to keep you thinking Learn to: The history of philosophy from ancient times to the present day Logic, knowledge, ethics, consciousness and more Key philosophical texts and the meanings behind the words How to become a philosophical thinker

Introduction 1 Part I: What Is Philosophy 7   Chapter 1: What′s Philosophy All About 9 Chapter 2: Discovering Why Philosophy Matters 25  Chapter 3: Becoming a Philosophical Thinker 43  Part II: The History of Philosophy 57   Chapter 4: Looking at Ancient Philosophies 59  Chapter 5: Moving from the Dark Ages to the Modern Day 73  Chapter 6: Looking at Eastern Philosophy 99  Chapter 7: Understanding the ′Isms′ 115  Part III: The Nuts and Bolts of Philosophy 133   Chapter 8: Seeing the Limits of Logic 135  Chapter 9: Understanding Knowledge 155  Chapter 10: Separating Fact from Fiction 167  Chapter 11: Interpreting Language 185  Part IV: Exploring the Mind, Consciousness and Morality 203   Chapter 12: Exploring the Strange Notion of Mind 205  Chapter 13: Looking at Ethics and Morality 221  Chapter 14: Political Philosophy 255  Chapter 15: Looking Out for Liberty 281  Chapter 16: Aesthetics and Human Values 297  Part V: Philosophy and Science 319   Chapter 17: From Ancient Science to Modern Philosophy 321  Chapter 18: Investigating the Science of Society 333  Chapter 19: Exploring Scientifi c Truth and Scientific Fashions 355  Part VI: The Part of Tens 373   Chapter 20: Ten Famous Philosophical Books – and What They Say 375  Chapter 21: Ten Philosophical Puzzles to Keep You Thinking 383  Index 393  

Martin Cohen is a successful philosophy author who has written numerous books, including 101 Philosophical Problems and 101 Ethical Dilemmas . Martin is the Editor of The Philosopher , one of the UK′s oldest philosophy journals.