Description
Book SynopsisPhilosophical Adventures is a clear, concise introduction to philosophy, covering an engaging set of topics: reasoning, free will, religious belief, ethics, well-being, politics, and education. Stylishly written and cogently argued, the book engages readers by using compelling examples to make complex ideas accessible. The book’s distinctive and engaging content provides a welcoming path to understanding the appeal of philosophical inquiry.
Trade Review“Philosophical Adventures is a superb introduction to philosophy. Writing in a clear and engaging style, Steven Cahn deftly introduces us to the field’s methods and some of its core concerns. His topics (which include human free will, the existence of God, the nature of morality, and the value of democracy) are ones we must address to develop an informed understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. A master teacher, he defines the issues, displays their importance, and guides us through the associated debates. Anyone looking to understand philosophy—or, for that matter, themselves—would do well to read this book.” — Peter Markie, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, University of Missouri
“Philosophical Adventures introduces new readers of philosophy to topics including necessary and sufficient conditions, religious commitment, and democracy. It’s worth the price for the first thirty pages alone, which can explain the basics of reasoning in under an hour. Exceptionally written books like this one perform a valuable social and disciplinary service by putting everything philosophers wonder about into one accessible, affordable, hundred-page volume.” — Alexandra Bradner, Department of Philosophy, Kenyon College
“True to its title, this book infuses readers with the conviction that philosophy is an adventure of the mind, one that often engages the heart. Thanks to Cahn’s uncommonly crisp and lucid prose, they come to appreciate the perplexity that drives philosophical reflection, the variety of routes out of that perplexity, and the relevance of philosophical problems to living.” — David Shatz, Ronald P. Stanton University Professor of Philosophy, Ethics, and Religious Thought, Yeshiva University
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Part I: Reasoning
- 1: The Elements of Argument
- 2. Necessary and Sufficient Conditions
- 3: Dummy Hypotheses
- Part II: Free Will
- 4: Determinism and Freedom
- 5: Random Choices
- Part III: Religious Belief
- 6: Philosophical Proofs and Religious Commitment
- 7: The Theodicy Trap
- 8: Religion Without God
- Part IV: Ethics
- 9: Moral Judgments
- 10: Moral Principles
- 11: Moral Puzzles
- Part V: Well Being
- 12: Living Well
- 13: Choosing the Experience Machine
- Part VI: Society
- 14: The Case for Democracy
- 15: The Content of a Liberal Education
