Introduction to Modern Philosophy: Examining the Human Condition, 7th edition

This popular introductory text/reader on modern philosophy intersperses primary sources with commentary to keep students interested and critically engaged in what they are reading. Each chapter deals with a fundamental question about human existence, exploring the subject through representative readings by classic, modern, and contemporary philosophers—with at least two contrasting perspectives for each main position.

• NEW - The philosophy of the mind (Ch. 2)—Features recent material on mind/body dualism, including readings by Smart, Fodor, Turing, the Churchlands and others.

  • Students read contemporary writings on an issue that is central to philosophy and that is also increasingly meaningful in our computerized world. Ex.___

• NEW - Free will and determinism (Ch. 3)—Includes new readings from the current debate on Indeterminism and Compatibilism, including the views of John Hospers (a classic participant in 20th century debate on this question).

  • Students see key recent thinkers and controversies in context. Ex.___

• NEW - The Existence of God (Ch. 4)—Adds St. Anselm's classic statement of the ontological argument for the existence of God.

  • Deepens students' understanding of the relationship between philosophy and religion. Ex.___

• NEW - When Should I Obey the Law? (Ch. 6)—Major revision. Features writings from John Locke (the case for resistance), Robert Paul Wolff (the case for anarchy), and John Rawls (the case for civil disobedience).

  • Incorporates a variety of voices into the discussion of an issue that students find intrinsically interesting. Ex.___

• NEW - What Things Shall I Call Art? (Ch. 7)—Adds works from Clive Bell, Paul Ziff and Susan Sontag.

  • Stimulates student discussion and thought with accessible writing on a topic that may be new to them. Ex.___

• NEW - What Is Science? (Ch. 9)—Adds a selection from Helen Longino (one of the leading feminist philosophers of science). Includes readings by Feyerabend, Rorty, the feminist writer Alison Jaggar, and others.

  • Introduces students to the thinking of post-modern and feminist perspectives. Ex.___

• NEW - Epilogue I—Applied Ethics—Topics include Medical Ethics (Timothy Quill on euthanasia), Business Ethics (Milton Friedman on the profit goal), and Environmental Ethics (Arthur Zucker on speciesism).

  • Allows students to appreciate the applicability of concepts introduced throughout the book to real-life issues and controversies in the world around them. Ex.___

• NEW - Revised Epilogue II—Making Sense Out of Life—Uses multicultural sources to consider the enduring human need for constructing meaning in life. Includes material from Peter Geach on life after death.

  • Demonstrates how fundamental philosophical questions transcend cultural boundaries while also showing how different cultures vary in response. Ex.___

• Question-based chapters with a stimulating debate-style format.

  • Presents students with a good overview of philosophy and introduces them to diverse views and contrasting arguments on every main issue. Ex.___

• The philosophy of the mind (Ch. 2)—Features recent material on mind/body dualism, including readings by Smart, Fodor, Turing, the Churchlands and others.

  • Students read contemporary writings on an issue that is central to philosophy and that is also increasingly meaningful in our computerized world. Ex.___

• Free will and determinism (Ch. 3)—Includes new readings from the current debate on Indeterminism and Compatibilism, including the views of John Hospers (a classic participant in 20th century debate on this question).

  • Students see key recent thinkers and controversies in context. Ex.___

• The Existence of God (Ch. 4)—Adds St. Anselm's classic statement of the ontological argument for the existence of God.

  • Deepens students' understanding of the relationship between philosophy and religion. Ex.___

• When Should I Obey the Law? (Ch. 6)—Major revision. Features writings from John Locke (the case for resistance), Robert Paul Wolff (the case for anarchy), and John Rawls (the case for civil disobedience).

  • Incorporates a variety of voices into the discussion of an issue that students find intrinsically interesting. Ex.___

• What Things Shall I Call Art? (Ch. 7)—Adds works from Clive Bell, Paul Ziff and Susan Sontag.

  • Stimulates student discussion and thought with accessible writing on a topic that may be new to them. Ex.___

• What Is Science? (Ch. 9)—Adds a selection from Helen Longino (one of the leading feminist philosophers of science). Includes readings by Feyerabend, Rorty, the feminist writer Alison Jaggar, and others.

  • Introduces students to the thinking of post-modern and feminist perspectives. Ex.___

• Epilogue I—Applied Ethics—Topics include Medical Ethics (Timothy Quill on euthanasia), Business Ethics (Milton Friedman on the profit goal), and Environmental Ethics (Arthur Zucker on speciesism).

  • Allows students to appreciate the applicability of concepts introduced throughout the book to real-life issues and controversies in the world around them. Ex.___

• Revised Epilogue II—Making Sense Out of Life—Uses multicultural sources to consider the enduring human need for constructing meaning in life. Includes material from Peter Geach on life after death.

  • Demonstrates how fundamental philosophical questions transcend cultural boundaries while also showing how different cultures vary in response. Ex.___