Philosophy's Cool Place

Philosophy's Cool Place PDF Author: D. Z. Phillips
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 1501729454
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Book Description
Ludwig Wittgenstein established a "cool" stance for philosophy, contemplating the world without meddling in it. D. Z. Phillips explores this position, focusing on its implications for philosophical authorship and the philosophical investigation of the nature of reality. Influenced by the views of Wittgenstein and his pupil Rush Rhees, Phillips—who is one of Rhees's own students—first contrasts Wittgenstein's methods with Kierkegaard's religiously oriented dialectic. He describes the difficulty in sustaining a contemplative view of philosophy and discusses efforts to go beyond it in the work of Richard Rorty, Stanley Cavell, Annette Baier, and Martha Nussbaum, who, in different ways, propose to make philosophy a guide to living. A provocative and challenging work, Philosophy's Cool Place is one of the few books that addresses the discipline as an enterprise and explores its relation to moral values, religious belief, and the nature of Reality. By advancing the cause of neutrality, it will stimulate debate and foster discussion of what philosophy is to become in the postmodern era.

Philosophy's Cool Place

Philosophy's Cool Place PDF Author: D. Z. Phillips
Publisher: Cornell University Press
ISBN: 1501729454
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 184

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Book Description
Ludwig Wittgenstein established a "cool" stance for philosophy, contemplating the world without meddling in it. D. Z. Phillips explores this position, focusing on its implications for philosophical authorship and the philosophical investigation of the nature of reality. Influenced by the views of Wittgenstein and his pupil Rush Rhees, Phillips—who is one of Rhees's own students—first contrasts Wittgenstein's methods with Kierkegaard's religiously oriented dialectic. He describes the difficulty in sustaining a contemplative view of philosophy and discusses efforts to go beyond it in the work of Richard Rorty, Stanley Cavell, Annette Baier, and Martha Nussbaum, who, in different ways, propose to make philosophy a guide to living. A provocative and challenging work, Philosophy's Cool Place is one of the few books that addresses the discipline as an enterprise and explores its relation to moral values, religious belief, and the nature of Reality. By advancing the cause of neutrality, it will stimulate debate and foster discussion of what philosophy is to become in the postmodern era.

Philosophy and Its Place in Our Culture

Philosophy and Its Place in Our Culture PDF Author: John Oulton Wisdom
Publisher: New York : Gordon and Breach
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
First Published in 1975. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Philosophy for Believers

Philosophy for Believers PDF Author: Edward W. H. Vick
Publisher: Energion Publications
ISBN: 1938434986
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 296

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Book Description
For a serious book of philosophy, where better to begin to canvass various philosophical concepts and arguments than in relation to what is so familiar to every one of us –– the fact that we all have many and varied beliefs. The book is an introduction of philosophy, indeed intended as an introductory textbook. The author, as he wrote it, had both the teacher and the student in mind. He hopes it will prove a worthy contribution in the college, seminary and university classroom, both interesting and serious. \ As well as thirteen clearly written chapters introducing the various topics, it is also provided with helpful summaries, tutorials, and work sheets. In considering belief we raise raises many of the central problems philosophers have discussed: knowledge, truth, justification, rationality, meaning, explanation, self deception, interpretation, reality, cause and effect, personal identity, theories, laws, hypotheses, the self, survival, God. Since belief is a universal phenomenon, it has unfortunately become common to understand the unqualified term ‘believer’ of the religious person. It seems strange to ask the question, ‘Are you a believer?’ outside the religious context. But we do when we are thinking of a particular theory or ideology or political attitude. We sometimes want to know whether she is ‘one of us!’ The author sometimes finds it convenient to illustrate his exposition by referring to religious beliefs. One does not have to be a religious believer to see that it is relevant and indeed interesting to do so. The history of philosophy provides many classical examples of such discussion. The book is of wide general interest. As well as doing service in the classroom, it will also prove its worth within other contexts. It will serve the aims of serious discussion groups, as well as providing a basis for regular and earnest individual study. We hope also that it will find a place with inquiring people of religious faith.

Layman Looks at Philosophy

Layman Looks at Philosophy PDF Author: Cyril Tomkins
Publisher: eBook Partnership
ISBN: 1839523220
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 339

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Book Description
Scientists and philosophers often do not see eye to eye, particularly on the evolution of Man and his Mind. This book evaluates these differences from a layman's perspective. It also explores the origins of the main areas of philosophy and relates them to practical use at the individual, corporate or governmental level suggesting that a valuable practical role exists for philosophers.A layman explored his understanding of philosophical concepts and it revealed to him interesting debates about differences between philosophers and scientists relating to the evolution of Man, implications for understanding God and Religion and different approaches to the meaning of Consciousness and the Mind. The book also seeks the origin of ethics, fairness and compassion, as well as aesthetics and language. Based upon the areas of philosophy reviewed, a framework for a worthwhile existence is offered, which is applicable at individual, corporate or government level. The book ends with a simple model of social evolution, asks what philosophy is for and concludes that there are many issues philosophers should address.The book should appeal to general readers or students who are interested in, but not expert in, philosophy as well as philosophers and scientists specifically interested in the interface between science and philosophy in areas such as the evolution of Man and Consciousness and the Mind. Decision makers at individual, corporate or government level may like to consider how philosophical concepts inform their strategic judgements. The book might also be fun for other laymen wishing to pursue the route the author has taken.

Trying Not to Try

Trying Not to Try PDF Author: Edward Slingerland
Publisher: Crown
ISBN: 0770437621
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 304

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Book Description
A deeply original exploration of the power of spontaneity—an ancient Chinese ideal that cognitive scientists are only now beginning to understand—and why it is so essential to our well-being Why is it always hard to fall asleep the night before an important meeting? Or be charming and relaxed on a first date? What is it about a politician who seems wooden or a comedian whose jokes fall flat or an athlete who chokes? In all of these cases, striving seems to backfire. In Trying Not To Try, Edward Slingerland explains why we find spontaneity so elusive, and shows how early Chinese thought points the way to happier, more authentic lives. We’ve long been told that the way to achieve our goals is through careful reasoning and conscious effort. But recent research suggests that many aspects of a satisfying life, like happiness and spontaneity, are best pursued indirectly. The early Chinese philosophers knew this, and they wrote extensively about an effortless way of being in the world, which they called wu-wei (ooo-way). They believed it was the source of all success in life, and they developed various strategies for getting it and hanging on to it. With clarity and wit, Slingerland introduces us to these thinkers and the marvelous characters in their texts, from the butcher whose blade glides effortlessly through an ox to the wood carver who sees his sculpture simply emerge from a solid block. Slingerland uncovers a direct line from wu-wei to the Force in Star Wars, explains why wu-wei is more powerful than flow, and tells us what it all means for getting a date. He also shows how new research reveals what’s happening in the brain when we’re in a state of wu-wei—why it makes us happy and effective and trustworthy, and how it might have even made civilization possible. Through stories of mythical creatures and drunken cart riders, jazz musicians and Japanese motorcycle gangs, Slingerland effortlessly blends Eastern thought and cutting-edge science to show us how we can live more fulfilling lives. Trying Not To Try is mind-expanding and deeply pleasurable, the perfect antidote to our striving modern culture.

Cool Philosophy

Cool Philosophy PDF Author: Daniel Tatarsky
Publisher: Portico
ISBN: 1910232734
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
Inside this philosophy-stuffed book are fifty fact-tastic ways to advance your thinking skills, so you’ll never be scratching your head in bemusement ever again. Featuring the key philosophic principles of every philosopher you've heard of (and some you haven't), from prominent ancient Greek thinkers such as Aristotle and Socrates to modern-day thinkers such as Bertrand Russell and Thomas Kuhn, Cool Philosophy is stuffed to the gills with amazing facts, tricks and stats to help you discover everything you need to know about what philosophy is – in a way you’ll never forget. Word count: 20,000

The Rise of Modern Philosophy

The Rise of Modern Philosophy PDF Author: Tom Sorell
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780198236054
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 372

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Book Description
"Modern" philosophy in the West is said to have begun with Bacon and Descartes. Their methodological and metaphysical writings, in conjunction with the discoveries that marked the seventeenth-century scientific revolution, are supposed to have interred both Aristotelian and scholastic science and the philosophy that supported it. But did the new or "modern" philosophy effect a complete break with what preceded it? Were Bacon and Descartes untainted by scholastic influences? The theme of this book is that the new and traditional philosophies have much more in common than the orthodox account suggests. The contributors consider not only modernity in metaphysics and the sciences but also the claims of Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Spinoza to have invented "modern" ethics and politics. These two aspects of "modernity" in philosophy are connected for the first time. The book offers a broad view of the early modern philosophers, covering not only the much-studied major figures but also relatively neglected writers: Mersenne, Gassendi, White, and Sergeant.

The Good Place and Philosophy

The Good Place and Philosophy PDF Author: Steven A. Benko
Publisher: Open Court Publishing
ISBN: 0812694805
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
The Good Place is a fantasy-comedy TV show about the afterlife. Eleanor dies and finds herself in the Good Place, which she understands must be mistake, since she has been anything but good. In the surprise twist ending to Season One, it is revealed that this is really the Bad Place, but the demon who planned it was frustrated, because the characters didn’t torture each other mentally as planned, but managed to learn how to live together. In ,i>The Good Place and Philosophy, twenty-one philosophers analyze different aspects of the ethical and metaphysical issues raised in the show, including: ● Indefinitely long punishment can only be justified as a method of ultimately improving vicious characters, not as retribution. ● Can individuals retain their identity after hundreds of reboots? ● Comparing Hinduism with The Good Place, we can conclude that Hinduism gets things five percent correct. ● Looking at all the events in the show, it follows that humans don’t have free will, and so people are being punished and rewarded unjustly. ● Is it a problem that the show depicts torture as hilarious? This problem can be resolved by considering the limited perspective of humans, compared with the eternal perspective of the demons. ● The Good Place implies that even demons can develop morally. ● The only way to explain how the characters remain the same people after death is to suppose that their actual bodies are transported to the afterlife. ● Since Chidi knows all the moral theories but can never decide what to do, it must follow that there is something missing in all these theories. ● The show depicts an afterlife which is bureaucratic, therefore unchangeable, therefore deeply unjust. ● Eleanor acts on instinct, without thinking, whereas Chidi tries to think everything through and never gets around to acting; together these two characters can truly act morally. ● The Good Place shows us that authenticity means living for others. ● The Good Place is based on Sartre’s play No Exit, with its famous line “Hell is other people,” but in fact both No Exit and The Good Place inform us that human relationships can redeem us. ● In The Good Place, everything the humans do is impermanent since it can be rebooted, so humans cannot accomplish anything good. ● Kant’s moral precepts are supposed to be universal, but The Good Place shows us it can be right to lie to demons. ● The show raises the question whether we can ever be good except by being part of a virtuous community.

What's the Point of Philosophy?

What's the Point of Philosophy? PDF Author: DK
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0744077036
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
Travel down the road of wisdom to discover how to think about a series of philosophical problems, how to defend your opinions on them, and how to evaluate the opinions of others. Why is philosophy important? What’s so great about it? Leap into the world of philosophy and discover questions about life, the universe, and human behavior that great thinkers have pondered throughout history, and which are still being asked today. Philosophical ideas affect our day-to-day lives in ways that you might not expect. But understanding these ideas can be daunting – even for adults! If you want to learn how to argue the case for animal rights, why the concept of equality has many sides, or even what the theories are about why humans exist at all, What’s the Point of Philosophy? is the perfect place to start. Put your thinking cap on and get ready to explore: - A variety of fascinating topics reveal pivotal questions in philosophy that are still discussed today. - Timeline spreads illustrate major schools of thought and the women and men who developed them. - Clear, accessible text makes the book appealing for readers of all ages. - Uncoated paper gives a vintage feel to the book which perfectly complements the illustrator’s style. This fascinating philosophy book is a unique way to get kids to begin thinking critically about the world around them, and showcases the many ways in which philosophy has changed the world, one crazy idea at a time, and it is guaranteed to inspire, surprise, amuse, and entertain everybody who picks it up. By slowly unraveling arguments to unpack complex theories, What’s the Point of Philosophy? allows you to connect with ideas in a new and exciting way. If you never stop asking ‘why?’, this is the book for you!

The Concept of Presocratic Philosophy

The Concept of Presocratic Philosophy PDF Author: André Laks
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400887917
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description
When we talk about Presocratic philosophy, we are speaking about the origins of Greek philosophy and Western rationality itself. But what exactly does it mean to talk about “Presocratic philosophy” in the first place? How did early Greek thinkers come to be considered collectively as Presocratic philosophers? In this brief book, André Laks provides a history of the influential idea of Presocratic philosophy, tracing its historical and philosophical significance and consequences, from its ancient antecedents to its full crystallization in the modern period and its continuing effects today. Laks examines ancient Greek and Roman views about the birth of philosophy before turning to the eighteenth-century emergence of the term “Presocratics” and the debates about it that spanned the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He analyzes the intellectual circumstances that led to the idea of Presocratic philosophy—and what was and is at stake in the construction of the notion. The book closes by comparing two models of the history of philosophy—the phenomenological, represented by Hans-Georg Gadamer, and the rationalist, represented by Ernst Cassirer—and their implications for Presocratic philosophy, as well as other categories of philosophical history. Other figures discussed include Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Diogenes Laertius, Schleiermacher, Hegel, Nietzsche, Max Weber, and J.-P. Vernant. Challenging standard histories of Presocratic philosophy, the book calls for a reconsideration of the conventional story of early Greek philosophy and Western rationality.