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 | | The Experience of Philosophy by Daniel Kolak (Editor), Raymond Martin (Editor) ISBN-10: 9780195177688 ISBN-10: 0-19-517768-1 ISBN-13: 9780195177688 ISBN-13: 978-0-19-517768-8 Paperback 2005-07-28 Oxford University Press, USA Find Lowest Price |
Editorials | ||
Product Description This exceptional collection immerses students in such powerful ideas they will find themselves not just reading about, but actually participating in, the kind of philosophical thinking that can change the way they look at their lives and the world around them. The Experience of Philosophy features eighty-eight readings that challenge students' thinking about God, freedom, reality, nothingness, death, and even their own identities. Provocative and accessible, these essays have been carefully chosen for their ability to draw students out of an ordinary frame of reference into exciting new territory. Although the editors include many classic sources such as Plato, Descartes, Locke, and Kant, the emphasis is on contemporary writings. Articles by Derek Parfit, Bertrand Russell, and others help students to see the links between philosophy and literature and philosophy and the physical and social sciences. The text features section introductions, a brief introduction to each selection, biographical information on each author, and questions before and after each reading to reinforce main ideas. Further readings after each selection direct students to additional material on related issues. Ideal for introductory philosophy courses, The Experience of Philosophy encourages students to "do" philosophy, rather than just read about its history. The sixth edition features sixteen new readings and ten new boxes containing short excerpts from contemporary thinkers. | ||
Reviews | ||
The Experience of Philosophy This is a good textbook for an introductory class in Philosophy. Thanks, it came in good condition and promptly. | ||
Wonderful way to test the waters of philosophy This book is a wonderful stepping stone into the world of philosophy. As a beginner to understanding philosophy and it's history, delving into this book was both entertaining and enlightening. I praise the method chosen by the authors in presenting literary works of significant philosophers. Without forcing their own interpretation, the authors leave room for the readers to think on their own with study questions. It also seems the selections of literature are works of major impact in the philosophical world. Be prepared to enter a tornado of thought provoking ideas and theories, from ancient to contemporary. Pros: Vast works of literacy, no interpretations, enjoyable Cons: Leaves out susbstantial portions of certain works. For example, the middle of "The Republic of Plato" is left out, leaving only what is considered main points. Thus leading me to buy the complete copies, which is not actually a bad thing. Nevertheless, further research elsewhere required if interest surpasses the book's compilation of information. | ||
Excellent book for introducing Philosophy When I picked up this book and read through many of the works contained I was delighted. Alot of texts focus on the historical side of philosophy, but this book focuses on great ideas. I did readings for class but also found myself reading more and more if simply for the sheer enjoyment and mind-blowing proufoundness. If you've read some philosophy then you'll know that the works were chosen carefully: of the "knock you on your #ss" variety. Plato, Krishnamurti, Russel, Buddha, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Berkeley, Pascal, Tolstoy, Sartre, Camus, as well as many more modern philosophers are scattered about in this great book. Highly recommended. | ||
A Good Intro to Philosophy This book is a decent text for an introduction course in philosophy. The selesctions that were chosen from some of the greatest philosophers: Plato, Kant, Buddha, Descartes, Locke, Hume and Nietzsche, were well thought out before being put in. This text is seperated into sections, God, death, ethics etc. to put Western (and some Eatern) thought into bite size pieces. Having the works of the philosophers in their own words and not interpreted for you is one of the strenghts of this text. There are questions and exercises at the end of each section, placed there by the editors to be helpful; these are the major failing of the book. The beliefs of the editor (who includes some of his own work in the text book) come through in the questions and are quite biased (though not invalid). For an intro course this is a wonderful text. Also, it may give a person that is new to philosophy, some ideas and thoughts as to whom they may wish to read in the future. All in all, not a bad book. It serves its purpose as a text for 101 level classes at the college level, but does not do much beyond that. | ||
This is the thinking man's bible! Philosophy straight from the philosophers is what this book contains. The editors give questions before and after each selection to subtley guide and help, but what you interpret are the philosopher's words, not someone else's summation. Kolak and Martin, philosophers themselves, write with powerful, poetic expression at the beginning of each section. The selection written by the editor on cosmology is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand what the great contemporary thinkers are exerting. | ||