Philosophy For Dummies, UK Edition

Confused by metaphysics? In a muddle with aesthetics? Intimidated by Kant? Then look no further! Philosophy For Dummies, UK Edition is a complete crash-course in philosophical thought, covering key philosophers, philosophical history and theory and the big questions that affect us today. Tying in with standard UK curricula and including core topics such as logic, ethics and political philosophy, this impartial, expert guide cuts through the jargon to give you the facts. Whether you're a philosophy student or a complete beginner, Philosophy For Dummies, UK Edition will get you thinking and talking about philosophy in no time, and with maximum confidence. Introduction 1

Part I: What Is Philosophy 7

Chapter 1: What's Philosophy All About 9

Chapter 2: Discovering Why Philosophy Matters 25

Chapter 3: Becoming a Philosophical Thinker 43

Part II: The History of Philosophy 57

Chapter 4: Looking at Ancient Philosophies 59

Chapter 5: Moving from the Dark Ages to the Modern Day 73

Chapter 6: Looking at Eastern Philosophy 99

Chapter 7: Understanding the 'Isms' 115

Part III: The Nuts and Bolts of Philosophy 133

Chapter 8: Seeing the Limits of Logic 135

Chapter 9: Understanding Knowledge 155

Chapter 10: Separating Fact from Fiction 167

Chapter 11: Interpreting Language 185

Part IV: Exploring the Mind, Consciousness and Morality 203

Chapter 12: Exploring the Strange Notion of Mind 205

Chapter 13: Looking at Ethics and Morality 221

Chapter 14: Political Philosophy 255

Chapter 15: Looking Out for Liberty 281

Chapter 16: Aesthetics and Human Values 297

Part V: Philosophy and Science 319

Chapter 17: From Ancient Science to Modern Philosophy 321

Chapter 18: Investigating the Science of Society 333

Chapter 19: Exploring Scientifi c Truth and Scientific Fashions 355

Part VI: The Part of Tens 373

Chapter 20: Ten Famous Philosophical Books – and What They Say 375

Chapter 21: Ten Philosophical Puzzles to Keep You Thinking 383

Index 393

Martin Cohen is a successful philosophy author who has written numerous books, including 101 Philosophical Problems and 101 Ethical Dilemmas. Martin is the Editor of The Philosopher, one of the UK???s oldest philosophy journals.

Learn about:

• The history of philosophy from ancient times to the present day
• Logic, knowledge, ethics, consciousness and more
• Key philosophical texts and the meanings behind the words
• How to become a philosophical thinker

Get your head around life's big questions

Philosophy can be a mind-bending topic, leaving you with more questions than you started with. This easy-to-follow guide is an essential introduction to the subject, looking at the big issues and steering you through topics such as existence, knowledge, truth and beauty. Delving into the works of great philosophers and examining how their theories still affect us today, this book will really get you thinking.

• What's philosophy all about? – unravel the science of thought and don your own thinking hat
• Buff up on the history – from ancient times to the modern day, learn about key philosophers from around the globe
• Get to grips with the 'isms' – discover the words and theories that shaped philosophy
• Understand the nuts and bolts – take a journey through logic, knowledge and language
• Where's your head at? – peer into the murky depths of the mind and investigate consciousness, morality and more
• Examine the connection between philosophy and science – find out how philosophers laid the groundwork for theories on space, time and everything in between

Open the book and find:

• Philosophical heavyweights, from Plato to Confucius
• The God debate
• How we tell the difference between right and wrong
• The lowdown on political philosophy
• A philosophical take on society and its functions
• An introduction to aesthetics and human values
• What Eastern philosophy brings to the table
• Philosophical puzzles to keep you thinking