Introduces over twenty-five of the world's greatest philosophers and presents a simple version of the tenets of philosophy.

Introduces over twenty-five of the world's greatest philosophers and presents a simple version of the tenets of philosophy.

"Philosophy's the 'love of wisdom', can be approached in two ways: by doing it, or by studying how it has been done," so writes the eminent philosopher Roger Scruton. In this user-friendly book, he chooses to introduce philosophy by doing it. Taking the discipline beyond theory and "intellectualism," he presents it in an empirical, accessible, and practical light. The result is not a history of the field but a vivid, energetic, and personal account to guide the reader making his or her own venture into philosophy. Addressing a range of subjects from freedom, God, reality, and morality, to sex, music, and history, Scruton argues philosophy's relevance not just to intellectual questions, but to contemporary life.

Philosophy for Young Children is a concise, practical guide for teachers. It contains detailed session plans for 36 philosophical enquiries that will enable them to introduce philosophy to their children quickly and with confidence.

Examine the ideas and traditions of Western and Eastern thought ‘Packed with all the information, advice and tips you’ll need to get on your way.’ Good times July/Aug "Eyewitness Companions offer an essential reference library, perfect for novices or anyone who hust wants to know more about their favourite pastime." Heyday A demystifying guide to a misunderstood subject. Learn to understand the major issues, theories and problems at the heart of philosophy and watch hard-to-grasp concepts come to life. Discover philosophers answers to the ‘big questions’ Where do we come from? What is the perfect model for society? What is the meaning of life? Discover who's who and know all the major thinkers, from Aristotle to Zeno. Use the ‘toolkit’ to exercise your mind, learn to talk the talk and construct and communicate philosophical arguments. Start reading, start thinking.

REL This new volume in Rabbi Ronald H. Isaacs's 'Every Person's Guide to...' series is precisely what the title claims it to be. It describes not philosophy in its narrow meaning but the general principles of Jewish religion as well as some philosophical issues expressed in the religious writings or derived from the theological doctrines. Notable for its inclusiveness, this work starts from biblical philosophical or para-philosophical ideas and continues in chronological order to explicate the main views of Jewish theologian-philosophers through the ages, right up to Emil Fackenheim. At the end, the basic premises of different branches of Judaism are described, with the notable absence of secular Judaism, political philosophy, and the different factions of Zionism. Several philosophers have been excluded, e.g., Emanuel Levinas and Yehuda Alkalai, though some of the omitted philosophers are included in the 'Glossary of Philosophic Terms.' The book lacks scholarly apparatus, but it can serve as a guide for beginners studying Jewish philosophy and for undergraduates both as an introductory and reference work. Hayim Y. Sheynin, Gratz Coll. Lib., Melrose Park, PA-

Are children natural philosophers? They are curious about questions such as the meaning and purpose of being alive and whether we can know anything at all. Pre-college philosophy takes as a starting point young people’s inherent interest in large questions about the human condition. Philosophy and Education: Introducing Philosophy to Young People seeks to illuminate the ways in which philosophy can strengthen and deepen pre-college education. The book examines various issues involved in teaching philosophy to young people at different grade levels, including assessing what teachers need in order to teach philosophy and describing several models for introducing philosophy into schools. Ways to explore specific branches of philosophy – ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, aesthetics, and logic – through literature, thought experiments, and games and activities, as well as traditional philosophy texts, are described. The book’s final section considers student assessment and program evaluation, and analyzes the contributions pre-college philosophy can make to education in general. Teachers and educators – and parents – all want young people to grow up with the skills they need to pursue their own goals and become productive and successful adults. Thinking independently and reasoning clearly are central to these objectives. Philosophy helps students develop some of the analytic skills they need to engage in thoughtful decision-making throughout their lives, and the richness of the questions involved can help young people maintain their awareness of the world as marvelous and mysterious.