Free eBooks Six Great Ideas Available To Downloads
Discusses complex philosophical problems in concrete language to better understand the eternal concepts that shaped Western culture.
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Touchstone (December 1, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 068482681X
ISBN-13: 978-0684826813
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #187,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #299 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Metaphysics
The philosophical divide in our culture has never been so apparent as simply reading the reviews of this book. Some fault Adler for references to ethics - as if morality had no place in philosophical thought. Others fault him for using common sense (as if that were a crime) and speaking in everyday language. Others thought he was grand because he is a deist.Adler has written other books, better books, but one thing I like about all his books is their knack for inviting cogent comment and discussion. If only for that reason, they are important works that should be at least perused. Adler has offered radical plans for education and educators - a concrete program few have tried. The heart of this program is getting children to think, challenging their common assumptions and making them think why they think the way they do.But to Adler this does not mean imbuing them with a political revolutionary zeal for "change". It means questioning their assumptions and defining what is important. With that in mind he wrote "Six Great Ideas", some of which are interrelated. To some, these ideas are dated but what he makes clear is that all six of these are universals and, because of their relationship to people, always will be.For a better discussion of ideas get his 101 Great Ideas.
No clearer indication of the philosophical divide in this nation can be seen than by reading the reviews in of the works of Mortimer Adler. One group of reviewers are geniunely concerned that he has a Western orientation, that he defends such ideas as democracy and capitalism, that he seems to speak for common sense, tradition and classical liberalism. There is another group that supports him wholeheartedly because of these very views and his sympathetic voice toward religion.TEN PHILOSOPHICAL MISTAKES is an exploration of notions that he considers small mistakes that occurred in the past. The effect of these mistakes is compounded over time until they produce a difference in the way we view ourselves and our reality. He explores each of these mistakes in detail.Guiding Adler's thinking is a reliance on the works of Aristotle and a look at both Greek and classical European methods of learning and teaching. Also important is his view of humans as rational animals who differ from other animals - not in degree but in kind.He has made radical proposals for education and reintroducing thinking to the classroom. This is done not through a predictable "challenge to the system" but through the Socratic method. Ironically, this method was widely used in the Arab world at the height of its power before being subsumed by theocratic stipulations. This is a good book, not flawless, but one that is well worth five stars.
This book changed my life. Many people nowadays think that philosophy is an ivory tower excercise. It is not. And it is not impractical. This book had a profound impact on my thinking. It is very reasonable philosophy that led me to hunger for the nobler things in life. I highly suggest this book, especially to those who have never learned philosophy or have only learned philosophy from rationalists on.
This book was assigned to me in college (1995), and I concider it the most valuable book I've have ever purchased. The six ideas have proved to be an excellent philosophical base from which sound conclusions can be made regarding today's confusing, and sometimes convoluted, issues. Alder's six ideas have changed the way I view every aspect of my life. This is a "must read" text! P.S. This book is not offensive to those of us who have faith or believe in God.
Adler is great at relaying difficult philosophical truths to contemporary audiences with little to no background in philosophy. The philosophical positions accurately put forth in this book are those of Aristotle and the classical realist tradition. A truly valuable and important work.
How can you vote in the best interest of the country if you don't understand what is true, what is a lie or what is untrue (those are not the same) Were Powels UN statements lies or untrue? Were those calling Powel and Bush liars, themselves liars? How can you vote for the best candidate if you don't understand good from evil from bad? How can you be a good citizen and apply justice, liberty, and equality in your daily living if you can't explain those ideas. What is the pursuit of happiness? These ideas are what America is supposed to be about but if you don't understand these ideas how can you make sure we are on the right track or not.Adler is one of there great minds and writers of the last century. His easy to read and precisely worded books will teach you how to think for your self and judge others and live a good life so that you will be happy. If you can't distinguish wants from needs you will be more stressed by following a chaotic (maybe pleasurable) path in your life but will never be happy and content. This is the best book to start with. Then move on to Philosophical Mistakes, How to Read, Aristotle Made Easy, and most importantly the syntopticon. If you take this book to heart and live by it, it will change your life and will help you see who is fair and balanced and who is lying to you to advance their misguided (at best) agenda. It will give you the best chance for happiness.
George Eliot Six Pack - Middlemarch, Daniel Deronda, Silas Marner, The Lifted Veil, The Mill on the Floss and Adam Bede (Illustrated with links to free ... all six books) (Six Pack Classics Book 8) Historia de seis ideas / History of six ideas: Arte, belleza, forma, creatividad, mímesis, experiencia estética / Art, Beauty, Type, Creativity, Mimesis, Aestence (Spanish Edition) Six Great Ideas Great Source Write Traits: Books, Lessons, Ideas for Teaching the Six Traits at the Middle and High Lean Six Sigma: A CASE STUDY IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY - IMPROVEMENT OF MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS THROUGH A LEAN SIX SIGMA APPROACH. Pilates Six Pack Exercise Bundle: Learn How to Exercise Correctly Today - Intro to Pilates - Beginner Six Pack Exercises (Ultimate Mind Body Fitness - Strengthen,Tone and Heal Your Body) Entrenamiento Six Pack: Luce tu Six Pack en 6 semanas (Spanish Edition) Rise Of The Six (The Preston Six Book 1) Call of the Six (The Preston Six Book 2) Fall of the Six (The Preston Six Book 3) Six Ideas That Shaped Physics: Unit C: Conservation Laws Constrain Interactions Six Ideas That Shaped Physics: Unit R - Laws of Physics are Frame-Independent Six Ideas That Shaped Physics: Unit Q - Particles Behaves Like Waves From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays (Great Writing) Great Writing 4: From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays Breakfast Ideas Value Pack II - 200 Recipes For Waffles, Omelets, Coffee Cake and Quick Bread (Breakfast Ideas - The Breakfast Recipes Cookbook Collection 10) The Unofficial Guide to Learning with Lego®: 100+ Inspiring Ideas (Lego Ideas) Wedding Decoration Ideas - Wedding Planning On A Budget, Cheap Wedding Decorating Ideas DIY Outdoor or Indoor Wedding Book Honeymoon Planning: Plan a Romantic Trip of a Lifetime: The Ultimate Honeymoon Planner Guide Book to Help Plan the Perfect Getaway: Dream Destination Ideas, Honeymoon Hotels, and Honeymoon Ideas Honeymoon Planning: Plan a Romantic Trip of a Lifetime: The Ultimate Honeymoon Planner Guide Book to Help Plan the Perfect Getaway: Dream Destination Ideas, ... Honeymoon Ideas (Weddings by Sam SIv 20)
