Philosophy: The Quest for Truth

by Lewis Vaughn and Louis P. Pojman

Book Overview

Praised for its accessibility and comprehensiveness, Philosophy: The Quest for Truth provides an excellent selection of classical and contemporary readings on nineteen key problems in philosophy. Louis Pojman has carefully organized the essays in each section so that they present pro/con dialogues that allow students to compare and contrast the philosophers' positions. Topics covered include the nature of philosophy, the existence of God, immortality,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195156242
• ISBN13: 9780195156249
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Length: 640 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 9.2" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Saved me soooo much money!!!!

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must read

excellent intro to philosophy. covers basics and then applies them to real life issues along with thinking process. read this and you will be smarter.

Great Product

I received the books in mint condition. I am very satisfied and would recommend the seller.

A Solid Intro to Philosophy

I have used this test as a college philosophy instructor. Overall, I think it is one of the better introductory philosophy anthologies available. With a few exceptions (some noted below), the readings are well-chosen and reflect a balanced approach to controversial issues. The section introductions, reading summaries, and study questions for each of the readings are generally quite good. My only substantive complaint, and it is one that applies to every other introductory philosophy anthology I have looked at, is that the selection of readings could in a few cases have been better. The essay on libertarian free will by Corliss Lamont is particularly weak and would be better replaced with a classic essay by Chisholm or a selection from Van Inwagen. Also, there are some significant lacunae in the philosophy of religion section. For example, there is no mention of the distinction between the deductive and the evidential problems of evil. Nor is there any treatment of important post-Paley theistic arguments such as the kalam cosmological argument and the cosmic fine-tuning version of the design argument. On a positive note, I am pleased that Pojman included a recent defense of substance dualism by J.P.Moreland. Most anthologies only give a selection from Descartes' Meditations. Moreland's case is better than Descartes and sets up a good discussion of mind-body issues vis-a-vis the selection from materialist Paul Churchland.

The search for knowledge

Iam a student at west los angeles college and I will be using this textbook for a begining Philosophy 1 class. the only thing I that does need inprovment: there should be more words in the glossary. and a study guide to go along with this book.