Thinking through Philosophy: An Introduction (Paperback)

~ (Author), Emrys Westacott (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Chris Horner and Emrys Westacott present a clear and accessible introduction to some of the central problems of philosophy through challenging and stimulating the reader to think beyond the conventional answers to fundamental questions. No previous knowledge is assumed, and in lively and provocative chapters the authors invite the reader to explore questions about the nature of science, religion, ethics, politics, art, the mind, the self, knowledge and truth. Each chapter includes inset boxes providing links to classic philosophy texts on the issues discussed. In addition, the book relates the adventure of philosophy to some of the key principles of critical thinking.

Book Description

Chris Horner and Emrys Westacott present a clear and accessible introduction to some of the central problems of philosophy through challenging and stimulating the reader to think beyond the conventional answers to fundamental questions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521626579
• ISBN-13: 978-0521626576
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #185,827 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A better approach than most philosophy books, June 5, 2006

By	David Ivey - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Most introductory Philosophy books provide you with a list of various philosophers throughout time and give you an overview of their thoughts. If this is the type of book you are looking for then try "Story of Philosophy" or "Spark Notes 101 Philosophy". However, I believe this approach misses something.

I found that a far better approach was to provide the reader with the major areas and questions addressed by philosophers and then use reason and logic to examine those areas and questions. When appropriate a major philosophers views on a question being examined should then be provided. Here are some sample philosophical areas and questions:

- Logic: How do we think? Inductive and Deductive Reason, etc.
- Epistemology: Is knowledge possible? How do we "know"?
- Metaphysics: What is reality and what exists? What is truth?
- Ethics: What is right and wrong? Are values relative?
- Aesthetics: What is Art? Does true beauty exist?
- Politcs: How should we be governed? Are we our brothers keeper?
- Religion: Does God exist? Do we have freewill?

Finding these questions and coming up with your own answers is what philosophy is truly about.

The first book I found that took this approach was "Philosophy For Dummies". Unfortunately the author is very religious and that comes through strongly in his book. I remember reading this book and loving the way he layed out the questions, but wishing there was another book out there that was written from a non-religious standpoint.

"Thinking through Philosophy" is exactly the book for which I was looking. It lays out the major questions of philosophy and provides you with different approaches to answering these questions. I particularly like his arguements for the philosophies of idealism and relativism even though I still disagree with both (the authors definately make you think). The only critisism I have is that some basic knowledge is assumed. For example, the topic of skeptism was handled far more thouroughly in "Philosophy For Dummies".

If I were rating this book as a first book on philosophy I would only give it 4 stars, but as a second or later philosophy book I definately give it 5 stars. I really liked this book. (For a first book I would still recommend "Philosophy For Dummies" even though I'm agnostic/athiest. If you already believe in a higher power then definately read it first.)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Putting the ox before the cart. , June 11, 2008

By	Nicholas Payne (NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is surprising that more introductory philosophy books are not structured like the Horner and Westacott book "Thinking Through Philosophy". The book is segmented into the major branches or problems of philosophy. Each problem is examined and the relevant work done on the problem is introduced to the reader. Historical information and biographical content on the original thinkers are presented where applicable, but only in minimal amounts to round out the analysis of the subject being dealt with. This is a great strength of the book. People new to philosophy have to first be introduced to the ideas and questions that are central in the field. It makes no sense to bog down the new student with detailed histories and biographies on each philosopher. Philosophy is definitely a case where the "crawl, walk, run" rule is necessary to follow.

With that said, after reading this book, the reader should have a decent grounding in the major philosophical questions, terminology, and methods. From here, one can branch off and begin exploring individual philosophers and read works for themselves. If you are new to the field, this book is an effective tool in moving you towards that level of study.

22 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This Book Does Not Exist, June 14, 2005

By	Zordano - See all my reviews

There is a lot of competition on the market for books such as this - namely, attempting to provide an overview of philosophy and the core disciplines it encompasses.

This book is one of the best. By way of illustration, its chapter on Morality & Ethics is outstanding - a masterful introduction/overview given such limited allocation; a real achievement.

Most philosophy is circular pursuit of the vestigial tail - utterly futile and without utility (but it succeeds in sustaining academic careers & easy earnings...). `Philosophers' `contributing' by analysing mind or knowledge or science? What a joke. Philosophy is somewhat fraudulent - it has always made a pallid meal of that other great fraud - Religion & the Existence of God. It is inadequate to most such tasks and merely ends up discussing itself.

However, within the realm of Philosophy, Morality & Ethics undoubtedly has much utility and value and is a worthwhile pursuit.

The best of these books have a knack of getting readers to begin the process of their own reflections, insights and opinions of the subject disciplines and this `Thinking Through Philosophy' achieves well.

The book covers: Theory of knowledge (Epistemology); Moral Philosophy; Philosophy of Religion; Philosophy of Mind; Political Philosophy; Philosophy of Science; Philosophy of Aesthetics; and Metaphysics.

If you are looking for an introduction-primer-aide memoir, consider this work.

Beyond such books, both the Blackwell Companions & the Blackwell Guides, are consistently outstanding and good value for money.