Learning to Philosophize: A Primer [Paperback]

Del Kiernan-Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0534505899 | ISBN-13: 978-0534505899 | Edition: 1

Highly praised by reviewers for its coverage, accessibility, and usefulness, LEARNING TO PHILOSOPHIZE: A PRIMER provides grounding in philosophical thinking and the issues important in any introductory survey or moral issues course. With topics that are typical for introductory classes, the author guides the students through reading selections critically. Designed to effectively introduce students to the contemporary analytical methods or the process of philosophizing, this concise text is an extremely flexible teaching tool that can be used in combination with classic texts, a coursepack, or a standard textbook.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book is a joy to read . . . Few do as good a job of introducing students to the contemporary analytical methods or the process of philosophizing. Moreover, most such attempts are in long introductory texts, so that a teacher is stuck with using the entire text. LEARNING TO PHILOSOPHIZE increases flexibility since the teacher could use it in combination with classic texts, a coursepack, or a standard textbook."

"Very high quality indeed . . . Readable, clear, systematic . . . A wonderful first text to employ to make sure everyone in the class has a stable, initial picture of philosophy."

"Conveys genuine excitement about the study of philosophy . . . The author does a nice job of going over topics crucial to beginning philosophy students . . . Clear and engaging."

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (April 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534505899
• ISBN-13: 978-0534505899
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,159,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to the practice of philosophy, July 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Learning to Philosophize: A Primer (Paperback)

Del Kiernan-Lewis's primer is the best thing I know for introducing novices to the glories and wonders of doing philosophy. Unlike most such books, this one is clear about both the limits and the possibilities of learning to think philosophically. It's written with clarity and wit.--Paul J. Griffiths, University of Chicago--

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful "primer", August 11, 2002

By 

Adam Potthast - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to Philosophize: A Primer (Paperback)

This is an incredible (but unfortunately costly) way to introduce students to the method of philosophizing in the analytic tradition. I use it as the first book and a recurring theme in all of my introductory philosophy courses and students tell me it is accessible and worthwhile. I only wish I would have found it when I was an undergrad instead of having to "feel" my way through discovering philosophical method.

The section "Living up to your Intellectual Standards" is particularly good and helps students understand that philosophy is a practical skill as well as what they come into the class thinking it is.

My only complaint is that the section on fallacies could be much, much better. I spend nights wishing Kiernan-Lewis would just rewrite that section to catch up to the much better books in that area (e.g. Anthony Weston's "A Rulebook for Arguments"). Even without this revision though, this is a wonderful book to teach which can change people's lives.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 22 Bucks???!!!, September 19, 2003

By 

Christian Nelson "hotelpandemonium" (Jacksonville, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learning to Philosophize: A Primer (Paperback)

Now this is a pretty good book, but not worth anything more than fifteen dollars. The thing's only a hundred or so pages in length. DKL explains the principles of establishing and analyzing your belief system in fluid detail. Seeing things through objective, subjective realities and such. And it could always be used as a cure for insomnia.

Adios.