You think, therefore you are. Get a straightforward rundown on philosophy from the ancient world to today
If you’ve ever pondered your existence over your morning coffee or considered the nature of crime and punishment, you’re an amateur philosopher. From everyday questions about happiness and responsibility to deep, spiritual examinations about God and the cosmos, philosophy pervades every part of our lives. And even though it might seem complex at first glance, these questions that affect everyone on the planet can be understood and talked about by anyone!
In Philosophy For Dummies, Dr. Tom Morris delivers a refreshing and engaging exploration of the fundamentals of philosophy and shows you that philosophy can be fascinating and fun at the same time. You’ll be introduced to topics like the meaning of life, religious belief, and ways to live in the most satisfying ways. You’ll also learn about the insights of some of history’s greatest philosophers.
This book is full of the questions—and proposed solutions—to the questions that keep philosophers up at night, like:
- When should we doubt our beliefs and knowledge?
- Is there a God? What is His/Her/Their nature?
- Do we have free will or are we simply acting out physical imperatives?
Whether you’re interested in the nature of the mind/soul versus the body, or you want to learn more about morals and ethics, Philosophy For Dummies will be your personal guide to some of life’s most enduring problems and questions.
Table of Contents:
Introduction 1
Part 1: What Is Philosophy, Anyway? 5
Chapter 1: Great Thinkers, Deep Thoughts 7
Chapter 2: Philosophy as an Activity 17
Chapter 3: The Love of Wisdom 25
Part 2: How Do We Know Anything? 39
Chapter 4: Belief, Truth, and Knowledge 41
Chapter 5: The Challenge of Skepticism 57
Chapter 6: The Amazing Reality of Basic Beliefs 73
Part 3: What Is the Good? 89
Chapter 7: What’s Good? 91
Chapter 8: Happiness, Excellence, and the Good Life 105
Chapter 9: Ethical Rules and Moral Character 125
Part 4: Are We Ever Really Free? 139
Chapter 10: Fate, Destiny, and You 141
Chapter 11: Standard Views of Freedom 153
Chapter 12: Doing: Human Agency in the World 163
Part 5: The Incredible, Invisible You 169
Chapter 13: What Is a Person? 171
Chapter 14: The Case for Materialism 183
Chapter 15: The Case for Dualism 193
Part 6: What’s the Deal with Death? 203
Chapter 16: From Dust to Dust: Fear and the Void 205
Chapter 17: Philosophical Consolations on Death 213
Chapter 18: Is There Life after Death? 225
Part 7: Is There a God? 245
Chapter 19: Two Worldviews 247
Chapter 20: Theistic Visions 257
Chapter 21: The Problem of Evil 277
Part 8: The Meaning of Life 295
Chapter 22: What Is the Meaning of Life? 297
Chapter 23: Pascal’s Wager: Betting Your Life 309
Chapter 24: Success and Happiness in Life 323
Part 9: The Part of Tens 339
Chapter 25: Ten Great Philosophers 341
Chapter 26: Ten Great Questions 353
Index 365
About the Author :
Tom Morris holds a PhD degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Yale University, and is a former Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. He is also the founder of the Morris Institute for Human Values and author of over 30 books, including The Stoic Art of Living: Inner Resilience and Outer Results.
