Does the Center Hold?: An Introduction to Western Philosophy (Paperback)

~ Donald Palmer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Does the Center Hold? is an entertaining, topically-organized introductory text with more than 500 original illustrations. The ideas and issues typically covered in introductory courses are presented here in a remarkably accessible and enjoyable manner. The author demonstrates that serious philosophical inquiry may be perplexing but is ultimately enlightening and liberating.

Product Details

• Paperback: 492 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 4 edition (August 3, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0073535710
• ISBN-13: 978-0073535715
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #332,285 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun introduction, October 13, 2001

By	Pumpkin King - See all my reviews

This review is from: Does the Center Hold?: An Introduction to Western Philosophy (Paperback)

This book is probably as good as any other general overview of philosophical ideas. It covers epistemology, ontology, religion, freedom, ethics, political and social philosophy, and art. Donald Palmer includes some people quite a lot (Plato, Marx, Freud, Sartre) while there are many philosophers who are not mentioned at all, but considering the number of philosophers and their numerous ideas, this may not be a fair objection.

What makes this book different from others is that it is very light reading. It isn't condescending, or excessively simple, but Palmer writes in a conversational manner and with a frank, sometimes humorous tone. And you see how no philosophical ideas, however convincing, are free from being challenged and scrutinized. This may not be a book you refer to time and again, but for a relaxed and entertaining introduction to different branches of philosophy, Palmer does a fine job. Tedious and confusing language is something you won't have to worry about.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to philosophy, November 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Does the Center Hold?: An Introduction to Western Philosophy (Paperback)

Since reading it in a high school philosophy class, for years I've found this book the best introduction to many branches of philosophy. Easy to read and written with a sense of humor, it's a fun guide to the ideas and the questions that have made people think for thousands of years. You will find Palmer's book both enlightening and entertaining, whether you've never read philosophy before or are graduating with a degree in it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, yet Serious Introduction to Philosopy, April 30, 2003

By	Micheal W. Palmer (Chapel Hill, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Does The Center Hold?: An Introduction to Western Philosophy (Paperback)

This topical introduction has hundreds of humorous illustrations drawn by the author. Writing in an engaging conversational style, he presents the issues typically covered in introductory courses, but with unusual clarity. I used the first edition several times as the core text for my Introduction to Philosophy class with great success.

Those who have read the first edition will miss the wonderful handwritten script. It has been replaced by a font called Tekton that is, unfortunately, somewhat tiring to read.