Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings [Paperback]

John Perry (Editor), Michael Bratman (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195112040 | ISBN-13: 978-0195112047 | Publication Date: October 15, 1998 | Edition: 3

Introduction to Philosophy, 3/e is the most comprehensive topically organized collection of classical and contemporary philosophy available. Ideal for introductory philosophy courses, the third edition of this classic text now includes a general introduction and features eighteen selections new to this volume and an expanded glossary of philosophical terms. A serious and challenging work, it includes sections on the meaning of life, God and evil, epistemology, philosophy of science, the mind/body problem, freedom of will, consciousness, ethics, and philosophical puzzles. This exceptionally successful anthology presents a large number of substantial--and in some cases complete--selections from major works, offering a unique balance between classical and contemporary readings.
This third edition adds selections by Plato, Nelson Pike, J.L. Mackie, Elizabeth Anderson, David Lewis, Hilary Putnam, Frank Jackson, John Perry, Peter Strawson, Rosalind Hursthouse, G.A. Cohen, Samuel Scheffler, Debra Satz, and Kwame Anthony Appiah as well as Kavka's Toxin Puzzle and Quinn's Puzzle of the Self-Torturer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent on current issues of concern; e.g., man vs. machine. Zeno section is terrific!"--J. Anderson, Orange Coast College, CA

"Excellent selections and organization."--Gerald N. Callahan, Colorado State University

"An excellent, comprehensive, well-balanced collection."--David Detmer, Purdue University-Calumet

"This book is a distillation of much of the best I was required to read and master as an undergradaute at UCLA in the mid-1980s. I would unhesitatingly adopt it."--Lawrence Fike, California State University-Fullerton

"I've used the second edition for three semesters....[T]he readings are representative of some of the best philosophy has to offer."--Mary F.L. Stevenson, University of Colorado at Denver

Praise for the previous edition: "The best anthology of philosophical works for a general introduction to philosophy. It combines a perfect mix of classic and contemporary sources, and the major areas of philosophy are represented. It is great to finally have one book that does it all."--James M. Hughes, University of South Carolina

About the Author

John Perry and Michael Bratman are both at Stanford University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195112040
• ISBN-13: 978-0195112047
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Useful Anthology, December 6, 2003

By 

Marion R. Kee (Redmond, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings (Paperback)

I have taught introductory philosophy using both the first and the second editions of this book. It is a fine anthology. However, the book is clearly designed to be used in the context of an introductory college course. For that reason, a person who is approaching the book outside of a classroom context might benefit from using it in combination with a reference guide such as the _Oxford Companion to Philosophy_. The book was shortened in its second and third editions, because of feedback the authors received from instructors using it for introductory courses. The first edition included more readings and was not as influenced by the pressures of the college-text marketplace; it is my favorite. The third edition paperback is much easier to carry around, and in fact this remedies a marked failing in the previous editions. It also corrects some typographic errors (previously a minor annoyance.)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to Philosophy Classical and Contemporary Readings, June 1, 2008

By 

Sven M. Johnson "thesvenster" (Talkeetna, Alaska USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings (Paperback)

This collection of excerpts gives the reader a good overview of western philosophy on several broad topics, suchas the Nature of God and The Problem of Good and Evil. Some of the readings are rather long, particlarly the political philosophy sections. Although a student of philosophy should supplement a thourghly conducted overiew with additional literature, Introduction to Philosphy is a great place to start.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a comprehensive and thorough overview, August 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to Philosophy: Classical and Contemporary Readings (Paperback)

I used this book in an intro philosophy course in college and have been looking for it ever since. It presents original texts, plus thoughtful commentary and overviews that did not condense or simplify difficult topics. It is also incredibly thorough - if a work is part of the philosophical canon, it is in here, no matter how obscure. Now that I've found it again, its definitely going into my library as a standard reference text.