Customer Reviews

Connections to the world: The Basic Concepts of Philosophy

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Many books that are focused on basic philosophical concepts can become tedious and wordy to the everyday reader and oftentimes read as if they were a dull textbook introduction to "Philosophy 101". In fact, even a Philosophy Major can get a bit tired of such writings. However, Danto's writing style is clear and fluid with a broad description of the major problems of metaphysics and epistemology. His style is eloquent and literary which is a refreshing change from some of the more commonly encountered tedium. This all-encompassing text is divided into four parts, with each part broken into chapters or sections with articles on a wide range of relevant philosophical topics. Some of them include: The Intelligibility of the World, Totalistic Thought, The Notion of Existence, and Mental Causation. I find myself referring back to this book for its articulate explanations of some of the more esoteric concepts. If you are looking for a somewhat easier to read introduction to the major ideas in Western philosophical thought, this book is a nice first choice.

Dr. Danto has provided a nicely balanced, well-written overview of the fundamental concepts of Philosophy. This volume offers rich historical context by comparing and contrasting familiar views of both the ancients and contemporary thinkers while incorporating Danto's own perspective. This book is enjoyable to read and accessible to most anyone.

Connections to the World is an elegantly written, non-technical survey of basic issues in metaphysics and epistemology. The discussion of modern debates is woven into the broader history of philosophy and culture, giving the book a scope and appeal that extends beyond standard classroom philosophy. If the narrative doesn't hold the reader's interest at all points, or if it seems like "much ado about nothing," it's the fault of philosophy, not the author. However, the reader should be warned that the book is too advanced for most high school students or college freshmen. The ideal reader is someone who has already taken a few philosophy courses and is now interested in stepping back to get a "big picture" view of the discipline. Beginners would be better off with a book like Thomas Nagel's excellent (five stars!) What Does It All Mean?

This an excellent review of most of the major areas of philosophical contoversy and debate. it is very readable, but it does require some understanding of philosophy. I checked the book out of the library, and after reading it I bought a copy for reference and review. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in philosophy. I'm looking forward to reading more of Danto's books.