Free eBooks Doing Philosophy: An Introduction Through Thought Experiments Available To Downloads

                
              
Free eBooks 
Doing Philosophy: An Introduction Through Thought Experiments Available To Downloads
This text helps students understand the nature and purpose of philosophical inquiry by explaining what philosophical problems are, how they can be solved, and why searching for solutions is important. By acquainting students with philosophical theories and the thought experiments used to test them, the text fosters active learning and helps students become better thinkers.
Hardcover: 648 pages
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 3 edition (December 15, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0072991976
ISBN-13: 978-0072991970
Product Dimensions:  7.3 x 1.2 x 9.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review:  2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #1,153,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)   #189 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Methodology   #453 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Reference   #8294 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Philosophy
Schick and Vaughn do a fine job of presenting and explaining philosophical problems and theories about free will, the relationship of body and mind, personal identity, morality, the existence of God, and the limits of knowledge. Their presentation is rather rigorous for an introductory text, but their frequent use of thought experiments helps make very abstract topics more accessible. Yes, they do take stands on the issues they discuss, and their secularist axe-grinding can come across as somewhat heavy handed. It can certainly antagonize some students and readers. But this is a minor flaw in an otherwise high quality introductory text. Rather than trying to maintain bogus neutrality, Schick and Vaughn actually "do" philosophy and show how one can arrive at conclusions--even disputable conclusions--using philosophy's methods, and this is to their credit. As for Mr. Newman's sarcastic comment that "all of the great minds that approached" divine command theory in the past are not up to Schick and Vaughn's "genius"--may I ask which great minds he has in mind? It is true that many great religious thinkers can be classified as divine command theorists. But if we look at the tradition of great Western philosophers, many (and probably most) are not. What about Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Locke, Leibniz, Kant, and Mill, just to name a few? Moreover, some of these have dismissed divine command theory as pithily as our textbook authors, so Schick and Vaughn are hardly being revolutionary, let alone irresponsibly impudent, when, for example, they follow Leibniz in rejecting the divine command approach. All in all, this is a very solid introductory textbook that emphasizes how to think philosophically. I highly recommend it.
I got this edition for my introductory philosophy course. I found many of the classical and medieval arguments to be poorly stated. I would avoid using this book period.
The item was described accurately. I paid extra for expedited shipping and got it accordingly.I would definitely consider doing business again.
i still have not gotten my book and it has been over a month an a half, if i were to base my whole experience from  on this i would never use it again. i dont think i would ever buy from this seller again.
Very upset... order it with another book that one came in a week and as of this date (28 Aug 09) still have not gotten the book!
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