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"In ten brief but generally well-written chapters, Nagel guides the uninitiated reader through some of the more perplexing philosophical problems, from the question of whether mind and body are different entities, to the nature (and possibility) of free will, to morality, justice, and the meaning of life and death.... His style is clear and free of technical terms, and the book should appeal to those who know little or nothing of the discipline."--Library Journal
"Nagel does manage to give one a taste of what it is to think philosophically about things. This in itself is a worthy accomplishment in our busy, unphilosophical age. And unlike most academic introductions to the subject, his book preserves some trace of that sense of wonder that both Plato and Aristotle claimed was the origin of philosophical reflection."--Wall Street Journal --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
"Nagel does manage to give one a taste of what it is to think philosophically about things. This in itself is a worthy accomplishment in our busy, unphilosophical age. And unlike most academic introductions to the subject, his book preserves some trace of that sense of wonder that both Plato and Aristotle claimed was the origin of philosophical reflection."--Wall Street Journal --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Book Description
In this cogent and accessible introduction to philosophy, the distinguished author of Mortal Questions and The View From Nowhere sets forth the central problems of philosophical inquiry for the beginning student. Arguing that the best way to learn about philosophy is to think about its questions directly, Thomas Nagel considers possible solutions to nine problems--knowledge of the world beyond our minds, knowledge of other minds, the mind-body problem, free will, the basis of morality, right and wrong, the nature of death, the meaning of life, and the meaning of words. Although he states his own opinions clearly, Nagel leaves these fundamental questions open, allowing students to entertain other solutions and encouraging them to think for themselves.
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent introduction to philosophy.,
By Carey Allen (San Francisco Bay Area) - See all my reviews
This review is from: What Does It All Mean?: A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy (Hardcover)
This is a very readable introduction to philosophy, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has done no previous reading in philosophy. It is a little short, but should serve to stimulate interest and provide a basis for further reading.Topics covered are: 1. introduction 2. how do we know anything? 3. other minds 4. the mind-body problem 5. the meaning of words 6. free will 7. right and wrong 8. justice 9. death 10. the meaning of life After reading this, you might wish to take a look at these books: a. The Problem of the Soul (author: Flanagan) b. The View from Nowhere (author: Nagel) c. Language, Truth and Logic (author: Ayer) d. Life and Death (author: Hackett) e. The Meaning of Life (author: Klemke) f. The Examined Life (author: Nozick) g. The Symbolic Species (author: Deacon) These books should serve to stimulate further interest in philosophy, and introduce you to some good writers. They are all written for the non-specialist, and are available as low-cost paperbacks.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brief philosophy at its very best.,
By
This review is from: What Does It All Mean?: A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy (Paperback)
I am a doctoral candidate in philosophy, and I still enjoyed reading this book. Never before have I seen such a brief, lucid introduction to some of the key problems of philosophy: Is there really an external world? Are there other minds? How does the mind relate to the brain? Is there such a thing as free will? What is the nature of morality and justice? How do words manage to refer to things? How should one feel about death? What is the meaning of life? Nagel offers short, engaging discussions of each.One will not find in this book all of the major problems one is typically introduced to in a philosophy class - notably absent is the problem of induction and, except for a side note or two, the question of whether or not there is a god. However, one will find more than enough to stimulate much deep thought and many restless nights. Heartily recommended to all.
5.0 out of 5 stars
a step in the right direction...,
By
This review is from: What Does It All Mean?: A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy (Paperback)
I've fought for several years now against accepting the implications that this book brings to light. No one could tell me there wasn't more to life than the meager conclusion Thomas Nagel provides here. After a great deal of time & effort invested in proving Nagel wrong, I now admit he's correct.I have found, however, that taking up the philosophy of biology after carefully considering Nagel provides the necessary sustenance I sought. Especially recent work on reciprocal altruism and other forms of cooperative effort. Any good philosophy of biology will provide the necessary information. From the text and bibliography of the works by Sober, D. S. Wilson, Konner, Dawkins, Mitchell, Ruse and many others, the curious reader will find a wealth of reality-grounded consolation. This work by Nagel is no cause for despair... it is a very good starting point.
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