Classic Philosophical Questions [Paperback]

A proven classic, this anthology stimulates readers' interest in philosophy through an innovative “sides of the argument” presentation, representing positions on each of the fundamental philosophical principles. Each reading contains a biographical sketch of the author, with a group of further readings for those wishing to pursue issues in further depth. Using debate and argument as a vehicle, the eleventh edition of Classic Philosophical Questions simultaneously gives readers the fundamentals of philosophy while demonstrating that philosophy is a discourse that has spanned centuries. Topics covered include knowledge, metaphysics, religion, ethics, social and political philosophy, aesthetics, and the meaning of life. This anthology offers both classic and contemporary selections that challenge readers with the basic inquiries that philosophers have discussed throughout the ages.

This eleventh edition of Classic Philosophical Questions is structured to set forth the fundamental questions raised in undergraduate philosophy courses. The instructor will find that this structure encourages especially lively classes.

The essays, starting with Plato's Euthyphro and Apology, have been selected because they concern topics of particular interest to the beginning student in philosophy. These topics also encompass the major classical questions of concern to philosophers. None of the material is technical.

Introductions and study questions precede the essays and alert students to which ideas are important to grasp. The instructor may find it valuable to organize the class around these questions. At the end of the essays, the "To Think About" questions and quotations provide material for spirited debates or for written assignments. Also at the end of the essays is a reading list that can be used for writing term papers. At the end of the book there is a glossary.

The enthusiastic reception the earlier editions received reflects in part many excellent suggestions from both students and teachers. We have included some of their ideas in this eleventh edition, with new or additional material from Plato, George Berkeley, Martin Heidegger, Martin Luther King, Jr., Martha Nussbaum, and Steven Andrew Light, as well as essays relating to contemporary social issues. We sincerely appreciate the suggestions from the following reviewers, who helped to strengthen this edition: Warren Weinstein of California State University, Long Beach, and David Meeler of Winthrop University. In addition, we want to thank Martha Nussbaum and Steven Andrew Light for allowing us to include their essays in this edition. We are also grateful to Laurie Tollefsen for correcting an error in the tenth edition. Finally we want to express our gratitude for the care and support given by the Prentice-Hall team, especially our editor, Ross Miller, and our production liaison, Joanne Hakim.