Philosophical Dilemmas: A Pro and Con Introduction to the Major Questions

By Phil Washburn

Book Overview

For students with little or no background in the subject, the pursuit of philosophical knowledge can be a difficult and confusing enterprise. In order to formulate their own personal worldviews, students need to know how and where to begin, what choices they have, and why anyone would adopt one basic belief over another.
Philosophical Dilemmas: A Pro and Con Introduction to the Major Questions, Third Edition, outlines the principal positions that philosophers have articulated through the ages, helping students to understand what philosophers do and how they do it. Comprehensive and lucidly written, it features sixty-four brief essays--arranged in sets of two or three--on thirty-one important questions. The essays are arguments that author Phil Washburn has either created or recreated, rather than excerpts from the work of philosophers. With affirmative and negative responses, each set answers one of the standard philosophical questions, such as "Does God exist?" or "Is morality relative?" Each essay takes a definite stand and promotes it vigorously, creating a sharp contrast between the two positions and giving each abstract theory a more personal and believable "voice." While the essays often employ traditional arguments of great philosophers, they present the ideas in contemporary language with vivid examples. The accessible style and conflicting answers encourage students to examine the different positions and to think carefully about which essay makes the stronger case. In contrast with other textbooks, which often present a series of excerpts and theories without attempting to coordinate them into a larger picture, Philosophical Dilemmas teaches students about the process of thinking philosophically and encourages them to construct their own coherent worldviews. This third edition features two new sections (four new essays) on the meaning of life and on personal identity, expanded and updated annotated bibliographies, and an appendix, "How to Write an Essay."
Philosophical Dilemmas, Third Edition, offers numerous pedagogical features including an introduction to each issue, a list of historical parallels, key terms, chapter summaries, a glossary, and critical study questions following each essay. Brief sections throughout the book describe numerous critical thinking techniques demonstrated by the essays. An annotated bibliography of historical examples for each issue and useful lists of contemporary sources further enhance the text's utility. An Instructor's Manual, including chapter summaries, writing assignments, and test questions, is available on CD.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195314646
• ISBN13: 9780195314649
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.5" x 1.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Good Logical Introduction

Philosophical Dilemmas: A Pro and Con Introduction to the Major Questions The author has considered all views while discussing regarding something. As an example, the discussion of religions and philosophical views. The author has always tried to discuss logically. This is a good text book for a beginer trying to study of philosophy.

Good Survey of Philosophical Methodology.

I agree with the prior review that this is a very accessible text covering a variety of philosophical issues, but I would add that I think it is primarily valuable as a tool for teaching philosphical methodology and general critical thinking skills, rather than serving as a good introduction to philosophy. It's divided into a number of pro and con articles written by the author that exemplify certain argumentative methods (such as thought experiments, ad hominem arguments, infintie regresses, etc.). The content of these pro/con essays is very cursory. They serve, at best, as introductions for further discussion, rather than as fully developed philosophical positions. I don't mean this as criticism, necessarily. As a survey of philosophical methodology, the book is excellent. But as an introduction to philosphy for a lay audience, there are much better (and cheaper) choices available.

An Excellent Introduction.

Phil Washburn introduces us to the major problems of philosophy through a series of brief, clearly written, pro and con essays. Very few historical figures are discussed (although there is a section recommending further readings at the end of each chapter), so this book presupposes no prior knowledge of philosophy. Very engaging and easy to read. Highly recommended for the general reader and for topically-oriented introductory classes in philosophy.