Introduction to Philosophy

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This acclaimed collection features readings organized around five major areas of philosophy: philosophy of religion, theory of knowledge, philosophy of mind, freedom and determinism, and ethics. Editor Louis P. Pojman enhances understanding by presenting selections in a pro/con format, allowing students to grasp opposing arguments effectively. Each chapter, subsection, and reading is accompanied by comprehensive and accessible introductions, a unique aspect for an anthology of this depth. The text includes a compelling mix of classical works from philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, and Kant, alongside significant twentieth-century and contemporary contributions from thinkers like Bertrand Russell, Richard Taylor, John Searle, and Thomas Nagel. The second edition features an expanded glossary, a more detailed appendix on logic, and eight new selections, including John Locke's exploration of truth versus enthusiasm, Dostoevsky's inquiry into the nature of evil, and Nagel's famous essay on consciousness. Other additions include Searle's examination of minds and computers, Taylor's defense of free will, Strawson's argument on moral responsibility, and Hobbes' defense of contractualism from Leviathan.