Philosophy: The Quest for Truth [Paperback]

Louis P. Pojman (Editor), Lewis Vaughn (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wide-ranging and interesting selection of both classic texts and contemporary expressions."--Dan O'Bryan, Sierra Nevada College --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

Praised for its unique combination of accessibility and comprehensiveness, Philosophy: The Quest for Truth is one of the best-selling textbooks for the introduction to philosophy course. Now in its seventh edition, this acclaimed text provides an excellent selection of classical and contemporary readings on nineteen key problems in philosophy. Louis P. Pojman and new coeditor Lewis Vaughn have carefully organized the essays in each section so that they present pro/con dialogues that allow students to compare and contrast the philosophers' positions. Topics covered include the nature of philosophy, logic, the existence of God, immortality, knowledge, the mind-body question, personal identity, free will and determinism, ethics, political philosophy, the meaning of life, abortion, capital punishment, animal rights, and affirmative action. Pojman and Vaughn provide substantial introductions to each major section. In addition, each of the eighty-four readings is accompanied by study questions, end-of-reading reflective questions, and an individual introduction featuring a biographical sketch of the philosopher. Short bibliographies following each major section, a detailed glossary of key terms, and an appendix--on reading and writing philosophy papers--further enhance the text's pedagogical value.

FEATURES OF THE SEVENTH EDITION

* Eleven new readings including selections by David Chalmers, Roderick M. Chisholm, Jerry A. Fodor, David Hume, Søren Kierkegaard, Don Marquis, Michael Martin, James Rachels, Bertrand Russell, Harvey Siegel, and Judith Jarvis Thomson
* An expanded and improved discussion of logic and arguments (in Part I)
* Updated headnotes and bibliographies
* An Instructor's Manual that provides a concise summary of each reading; a bank of 672 test questions (multiple-choice and true/false); a set of essay questions for each reading; a list of key terms; sample syllabi/course schedules; and useful web links
* An Online Student Study Guide containing more than three hundred study questions; flashcards for all key terms; two essay questions for each reading; and a list of helpful web links categorized by philosophical problem

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Product Details

• Paperback: 736 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 7 edition (May 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195311329
• ISBN-13: 978-0195311327
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #13,111 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Intro to Philosophy, July 20, 2004

By	Alan Rhoda (Las Vegas, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Philosophy: The Quest for Truth (Paperback)

I have used this test as a college philosophy instructor. Overall, I think it is one of the better introductory philosophy anthologies available. With a few exceptions (some noted below), the readings are well-chosen and reflect a balanced approach to controversial issues. The section introductions, reading summaries, and study questions for each of the readings are generally quite good.

My only substantive complaint, and it is one that applies to every other introductory philosophy anthology I have looked at, is that the selection of readings could in a few cases have been better. The essay on libertarian free will by Corliss Lamont is particularly weak and would be better replaced with a classic essay by Chisholm or a selection from Van Inwagen. Also, there are some significant lacunae in the philosophy of religion section. For example, there is no mention of the distinction between the deductive and the evidential problems of evil. Nor is there any treatment of important post-Paley theistic arguments such as the kalam cosmological argument and the cosmic fine-tuning version of the design argument.

On a positive note, I am pleased that Pojman included a recent defense of substance dualism by J.P.Moreland. Most anthologies only give a selection from Descartes' Meditations. Moreland's case is better than Descartes and sets up a good discussion of mind-body issues vis-a-vis the selection from materialist Paul Churchland.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars could be alot more interesting, December 6, 2007

By	Glenn Richards "Glenn" (Anaheim, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Philosophy: The Quest for Truth (Paperback)

The selection of the reading seems to be good. Some interesting stuff.

I agree that the glossary is weak and pretty much useless for most of the definitions that I went to look up.

There are no side notes or explainations either. I had to buy an addtional book to get the definations of most of the words & concepts. This should not be the case with a book this overpriced. Maybe this is their plan or reasoning to have such a useless glossary.

How about a picture or two, maybe of the philosphers or times etc to make the read a little more interesting to. 650 pages of solid b&w text makes it harder to read than it could be.

Well, I suppose it is readings that philosophy is all about and that is all that you get & no more. The publisher could use some tips who make philosophy a little more interesting for it's readers.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved me soooo much money!!!!, June 9, 2010

By	Kristen G. Lindeman "RWHctr2001" (Paragould, AR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Philosophy: The Quest for Truth (Paperback)

This saved me so much money! I'm in college and needed it for a class and my school bookstore was going to charge me over $100 for it. I was excited to see the new condition the book was in despite only being charged only 58 cents for it.