The Philosophers Toolkit: A Compendium of Philosophical Concepts and Methods

by Julian Baggini and Peter S. Fosl

Book Overview

The Philosophers' Toolkit provides all the intellectual equipment necessary to engage with and participate in philosophical argument, reading and reflection. Each of its 87 entries explains how to use an important concept or argumentative technique accurately and effectively.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0631228748
• ISBN13: 9780631228745
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Unique Approach and Comprehensive

I have read many books on argumentation, rhetoric and reasoning but this book encapsulates the most comprehensive presentation yet. It is a gem of a guide to effective reasoning which applies to more than just philosophy. Some of the ideas presented are ones I have experienced in arguments but this author was the first to explain them.

Excellent Introduction to Logic and Philosophy

REVIEW: This book, while sometimes reading like a condensed encyclopedia, is an excellent resource for anyone interested in Philosophical thought and Logic. It is an excellent introduction as well as a reference book. And while the title and binding may detract from it's apparent academic credibility, I assure you it is there. The book covers several sections, beginning with basic argumentation (Fallacies, Premises, etc...) and expanding out into complex ideas such as Hume's Fork, Leibniz's Law of Identity, Ockham's Razor and similar concepts. It is also very well cross-referenced, providing an almost instantaneous ability to further investigate topics. Additionally, it has a section devoted to Philosophical Resources on the Internet. While this might not be of use in a few years, it definitely is of use now. Finally, the book also includes a small section of "Recommended Readings" at the end of every section that is very useful.STRENGTHS: Excellent content and superb explanation of the content. The author does a wonderful job of explaining complex philosophical ideas in a clear and concise manner. It also very well thought out, cross-referencing and suggesting additional readings on every topic.WEAKNESSES: The book is not exactly stimulating in any contemporary manner. It is written more like an encyclopedia rather than a novel and is therefore a bit dry. Also, it's appearance detracts from the seriousness of it's subject matter.WHO SHOULD READ THIS BOOK: Those interested in understanding philosophical arguments and/or logic. This book is also helpful to Philosophy Majors/Minors as a refresher or a reference book.FOR SIMILAR/RELATED TOPICS, CONSIDER: Informal Logic: A Handbook for Critical Argument by Douglas Walton and A Rulebook for Arguments by Anthony Weston

Terrific Intro

This Toolkit is such a good, smart idea, I wonder why nobody wrote a book like this before. Consisting of a series of connected brief entries (many of them quite witty), it explains important philosophical concepts and shows how we can use them to help us makes sense of life's big questions. It makes an excellent dictionary of basic philosophical concepts, but, unlike a dictionary, it is also designed to be read straight through. And it practices what it preaches: The Principle of Charity, for instance, is consistently applied. The Toolkit, along with Simon Blackburn's delightful dictionary and Roger Scruton's lucid (if rather biased) Short History, got me through several tough college philosophy courses.If you're new to modern philosophy and want to know what it's about, read Baggini & Fosl's "Philosopher's Toolkit" (along with Thomas Nagel's "What Does It All Mean?") and you'll have a very good idea of the basic questions & methods involved. (Be warned: philosophy is highly addictive stuff and you might find that it changes the way you see everything.)

Excellent reference for both Philosphy and Argumentation

Baggini and Fosl have provided an excellent reference resource for those interested in Philosphy and also those who which to argue better. The presentation of the "tools" aids the clear understanding of each of the concepts, with examples that are easy to comprehend. One of the few books around that gives a comprehensive and readable account of these "tools". A must buy.

Excellent Resource

This is an execellent introductory text for neophyte philosophers as well as a decent resource for those who have more experience in philosophy. It has a unique format among introductory books, one which is better suited to the material.This book could be used as a reference guide, introductory text, or as a textbook for a philosophy class. Lets you know everything you need to get started with philosophy. This book starts with the simple concepts and moves on to continually more advanced ideas.