Description
Book SynopsisThese essays present a balanced picture of Cahn's wide-ranging work, from free will to affirmative action, from belief in God to the teaching of philosophy.
Trade ReviewPuzzles & Perplexities is a thought-provoking collection of Steven Cahn's far-reaching writings, ranging over such diverse topics as free will, the Book of Job, affirmative action, and divestiture. Each essay raises a problem, whether it be in metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of religion, or social policy, that will not only engage and stimulate students, but also challenge scholars to examine their own views as well.... -- Robert Simon, professor of philosophy, Hamilton College
In Puzzles & Perplexities, Steven Cahn addresses questions about faith and rationality, social and aesthetic value, and the theory and practice of education. He writes lucidly and passionately about problems that are both timely and timeless, aboutissues that should engage all thinking persons.... -- Karen Hanson, Rudy Professor of Philosophy, Indiana University
The unusual virtue of this book of short essays is its combination of real clarity of style with often densely-packed arguments that are not watered down for bland consumption. The essays are easy reading without being easy-going, and they will stimulate without exhausting students' interests. Not only Cahn's lucidity, but his philosophical passion and honesty shine through these essays. He is both scrupulously fair to opposing positions and straightforward in advocating his own, whether popular or not. The book will engage students and scholars alike. * Apa Newsletter *
These essays are models of philosophical writing; accordingly, Cahn's Puzzles & Perplexities is an ideal supplemental text for problems-based Introduction to Philosphy courses and would do nicely as a main text for any course emphasizing philosophical methodology and writing. Professors struggling to help students improve their critical writing couldn't do better than to incorporate Cahn's essays into their syllabi. Many of these essays represent professional philosophizing at its best: Cahn's arguments meet professional standards of precision and rigor, but are immediately engaging to persons at any level of philosophical sophistication... * APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy *
Professor Cahn's essays make the mystery of philosopy accessible as he considers many of the important intellectual issues of our time. -- Norman Bowie, University of Minnesota
Puzzles & Perplexities is a thought-provoking collection of Steven Cahn's far-reaching writings, ranging over such diverse topics as free will, the Book of Job, affirmative action, and divestiture. Each essay raises a problem, whether it be in metaphysics, ethics, philosophy of religion, or social policy, that will not only engage and stimulate students, but also challenge scholars to examine their own views as well. -- Robert Simon, professor of philosophy, Hamilton College
In Puzzles & Perplexities, Steven Cahn addresses questions about faith and rationality, social and aesthetic value, and the theory and practice of education. He writes lucidly and passionately about problems that are both timely and timeless, about issues that should engage all thinking persons. -- Karen Hanson, Rudy Professor of Philosophy, Indiana University
These essays are models of philosophical writing; accordingly, Cahn's Puzzles & Perplexities is an ideal supplemental text for problems-based Introduction to Philosphy courses and would do nicely as a main text for any course emphasizing philosophical methodology and writing. Professors struggling to help students improve their critical writing couldn't do better than to incorporate Cahn's essays into their syllabi. Many of these essays represent professional philosophizing at its best: Cahn's arguments meet professional standards of precision and rigor, but are immediately engaging to persons at any level of philosophical sophistication. * APA Newsletter on Teaching Philosophy *
Table of ContentsPart 1 I. Free Will Chapter 2 Free Will or Determinism? Chapter 3 Random Choices Chapter 4 Does God Know the Future? Part 5 II. Belief in God Chapter 6 Does God Exist? Chapter 7 Cacodaemony Chapter 8 The Moriarty Hypothesis Chapter 9 Job's Protest Chapter 10 The Noes Have It: Hume's Dialogues Chapter 11 Suppose God Exists Chapter 12 Religion Without God Part 13 III. Morality, Society, and Art Chapter 14 A Supreme Moral Principle? Chapter 15 Two Concepts of Affirmative Action Chapter 16 The Curious Tale of Atlas College Chapter 17 Why Not Tell the Truth? Chapter 18 The Divestiture Puzzle Chapter 19 The Strange Case of John Shmarb Chapter 20 The Wife of Lear Part 21 IV. Education Chapter 22 John Dewey at Eighty Chapter 23 Are the Humanities Useful? Chapter 24 Should Liberal Education Change? Chapter 25 How to Improve Your Teaching Chapter 26 How to Teach Introductory Philosophy Chapter 27 Searching for Administrators: The Missing Step Chapter 28 Bibliography of Steven M. Cahn
