Saturday, July 26, 2014

Text wanted

I'm looking for an introduction to philosophy text that meets the following criteria:

1. It's arranged topically, not historically.
2. It nevertheless deals with these topics by going over how various thinkers throughout history have addressed them -- although not exhaustively of course.
3. It's actually introductory, for people who haven't taken philosophy before.
4. It's inexpensive.

I had used Does the Center Hold? but it's chapter on metaphysics was exclusively on philosophy of mind (not really dealing with space and time, causality, etc.), and the chapter on philosophy of religion was just terrible. Anyone have any ideas?

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9 comments:

Matt K said...

Perhaps the novel Sophie's World would cover that well.

Gregory the Eremite said...

I'm not sure such a beast meeting all of these requirements exists, but I'd be grateful to hear that I'm wrong.

The best introduction that I know is Thomas Nagel's "What Does it all Mean?"



Anonymous said...

How about "Think" by Simon Blackburn? I have no idea if it fits the criterion, but it's the only philosophy book I've ever read. Sorry if I'm totally off base.

Lazarus said...

You could try Warburton's 'Philosophy: the basics' (probably a bit weak on historical exposition and phil. of religion for your purposes). It's cheap on its own, but works best with his reader 'Philosophy: basic readings' (which isn't).

Mathetes said...

Perhaps "Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult"?

http://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Made-Slightly-Less-Difficult/dp/0830827668/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407558580&sr=1-1&keywords=philosophy+made+slightly+less+difficult

N.W. Flitcraft said...

AN INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY by Daniel J. Sullivan

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