Exploring philosophy through detailed argument analyses of texts by philosophers from Plato to Strawson using a novel and transparent method of analysis.
The best way to introduce students to philosophy and philosophical discourse is to have them read and wrestle with original sources. This textbook explores philosophy through detailed argument analyses of texts by philosophers from Plato to Strawson. It presents a novel and transparent method of analysis that will teach students not only how to understand and evaluate philosophers' arguments but also how to construct such arguments themselves. Students will learn to read a text and discover what the philosopher thinks, why the philosopher thinks it, and whether the supporting argument is good.
Students learn argument analysis through argument diagrams, with color-coding of the argument's various elements-conclusion, claims, and ""indicator phrases."" (An online ""mini-course"" in argument diagramming and argument diagramming software are both freely available online.) Each chapter ends with exercises and reading questions.
After a general introduction to philosophy and logic and an explanation of argument analysis, the book presents selections from primary sources, arranged by topics that correspond to contemporary debates, with detailed analysis and evaluation. These topics include philosophy of religion, epistemology, theory of mind, free will and determinism, and ethics; authors include Aristotle, Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Ryle, Fodor, Dennett, Searle, and others. What Is the Argument? not only introduces students to great philosophical thinkers, it also teaches them the essential skill of critical thinking.
By:
Maralee Harrell (Teaching Professor Carnegie Mellon University) Imprint: MIT Press Country of Publication: United States Edition: 1 Dimensions:
Height: 229mm,
Width: 203mm,
Spine: 21mm
Weight: 998g ISBN:9780262529273 ISBN 10: 0262529270 Series:The MIT Press Pages: 480 Publication Date:21 October 2016 Recommended Age: From 18 to 99 years Audience:
College/higher education
,
Primary
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Maralee Harrell is Teaching Professor of Philosophy at Carnegie Mellon University.
