Introduction to Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy: Themes for Classroom and Reflection is a series of original essays that span the breadth of topics commonly discussed in the college classroom. Designed to serve as conversation starters, the essays take a reconciliatory approach to controversial issues while still challenging students to think beyond commonly held positions. The essays are grouped by theme into dedicated parts on defining philosophy, logical matters, metaphysics, epistemology, metaethics, normative ethics, social morality, political morality, biomedical ethics, professional ethics, sexuality, faith and the supernatural, and aesthetics. Topics range from the theoretical in essays on empirical skepticism and whether or not we can truly think outside the box, to the social in a writing on the potential dangers of wealth, to the personal in a work on the purpose of sex. The third edition includes 20 new essays and expands the breadth of coverage considerably. Additionally, for the first time, each essay includes questions for discussion. Introduction to Philosophy successfully avoids being polemic while still encouraging students to engage in considered debate on difficult subjects. The book is designed for use in introductory philosophy and ethics classes, and can also serve as a reader for philosophically-based discussion groups.