Philosophy - 9780813344485

This new book features a unique, engaging approach to introduce students to philosophy. It combines traditional readings and exercises with fictive narratives starring central figures in the history of the field from Plato to Martin Luther King, Jr. The book makes innovative use of compelling short stories from two writers who have prominently combined philosophy and fiction in their work. These narratives illuminate pivotal aspects of the carefully selected classic readings that follow. This gives students two ways to understand the philosophical positions: through indirect argument in fiction and through direct, deductive presentations. Study questions and writing exercises accompany each set of readings and help students grasp the material and create their own arguments.

CONTENTS

Preface

Glossary

Part 1: Direct and Indirect Discourse in Philosophy

1. Direct and Indirect Discourse in Philosophy

Reading and Discussion Questions

2. How Can I Respond to Claims Using Direct Logical Discourse?

Reading and Discussion Questions

3.  How Can I Respond to Claims Using Indirect Fictive Narrative Discourse?

Reading and Discussion Questions

Part 2: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy  

4. Plato

Short Story: “The Cynic,” Charles Johnson

Reading and Discussion Questions

Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback

Primary Text: Plato, “The Myth of the Charioteer”

Reading and Discussion Questions

Class Exercises

Primary Text: Plato, Crito

Reading and Discussion Questions

Class Exercises

5. Aristotle

Short Story: “Aristotle the Outsider,” Michael Boylan

Reading and Discussion Questions

Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback

Primary Text: Aristotle, “The Nature of Mind”

Reading and Discussion Questions

Class Exercises

6. Buddha

Short Story: “Prince of the Ascetics,” Charles Johnson

Reading and Discussion Questions

Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback

Primary Text: “From the Dhmmapada”

Reading and Discussion Questions

Class Exercises

7. Aquinas

Short Story: “The Murder of Thomas Aquinas,” Michael Boylan

Reading and Discussion Questions

Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback

Primary Text: Thomas Aquinas, “On the Natural Law”

Reading and Discussion Questions

Class Exercises

MIDTERM PROJECT

Part 3: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy

8. Descartes

Short Story: “The Queen and the Philosopher,” Charles Johnson

Reading and Discussion Questions

Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback

Primary Text: René Descartes, “Finding a Foundation for Knowledge”

Reading and Discussion Questions

Class Exercises

9. Kant

Short Story: “Kant Awakened,” Michael Boylan

Reading and Discussion Questions

Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback

Primary Text: Gottfried Leibniz, “On Geometrical Method and the Method of Metaphysics”

Reading and Discussion Questions

Class Exercises