Introduction to Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy: Themes for Classroom and Reflection is a series of original essays that span the breadth of topics commonly discussed in the college classroom. Designed to serve as conversation starters, the essays take a reconciliatory approach to controversial issues while still challenging students to think beyond commonly held positions.

The essays are grouped by theme into chapters on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, metaethics, professional ethics, social and political morality, sexuality, faith and the supernatural, and aesthetics. Topics range from the theoretical in essays on whether or not democracy is possible and the direct perception of reality, to the social in a writing on bilingual education, to the potentially personal in a work on the purpose of sex. New in this edition are essays in multiple themes on topics such as natural explanation, the meaning of “truth,” the case for an organismic community, and the dangers of wealth.

Introduction to Philosophy successfully avoids being polemic while still encouraging students to engage in considered debate on difficult subjects. The book is designed for use in introductory philosophy and ethics classes, and can also serve as a reader for philosophically-based discussion groups.