What Does It All Mean?: A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy

by Thomas Nagel

Book Overview

In this cogent and accessible introduction to philosophy, the distinguished author of Mortal Questions and The View From Nowhere sets forth the central problems of philosophical inquiry for the beginning student. Arguing that the best way to learn about philosophy is to think about its questions directly, Thomas Nagel considers possible solutions to nine problems--knowledge of the world beyond our minds, knowledge of other minds, the mind-body problem,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195052161
• ISBN13: 9780195052169
• Release Date: October 1987
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The most accessible introduction to a daunting subject...

Here is perhaps the best book to give to someone who asks "what is this philosophy stuff all about anyway?" In this short 100-page book the basic problems of philosophy receive coherent, meaningful, and very down to earth treatment. Nearly anyone can read this book. It includes no large imposing technical terms or obscure opaque theories. The language and subject matter of the book take aim at the true beginner and hit every time. Anyone with no background in philosophy, but with a curious streak for the subject, should read this book cover to cover. Another interesting approach this book takes involves the complete absence of the names of eminent philosophers. Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, Descartes, Nietzsche, Russell, Quine; none of their names appear. This focuses the book on the nitty gritty subject matter, not the "big names" that pack most introductory philosophy texts. It also focuses readers on themselves. The questions asked and subjects covered can be directly related to the reader's own experience and life. One doesn't have to have read Descartes' "Meditations on The First Philosophy" to follow the first four chapters. They can be read and related to one's own experience, for some very basic questions get unearthed here: How do I know anything? How do I know that other people have minds? Am I a mind and a body or just a body? How do I figure out what words mean? And so on. This makes for a very welcoming introduction for newcomers. The book empowers those with little background rather than batting them down with "great names" or "great theories". Hopefully the text will whet the appetite for more (don't stop here by any means). For those with a philosophy background (I have a B.A.) the book can still be refreshing in its simplicity. Reading it feels like going back to the basics or revisiting one's roots. Probably the best reason to read it is to gauge its effectiveness as an introductory text. Then of course recommend it to others. Thomas Nagel (if you're involved in philosophy you've likely heard of him) also adds in some interesting passages. One of the best is: "Suppose a scientist were crazy enough to try to observe your experience of tasting chocolate by licking your brain while you ate a chocolate bar." Wow. There's an image and a concept you don't hear about every day. Also, the book actually gives credence to the subjects of death and the meaning of life. Many people think philosophy is about the meaning of life (it is, but in the universities only on an extreme micro scale). Nagel writes eloquently and fairly about both. You may not accept his ideas about these subjects (depending on your background), but they provide fuel for thought and reflection. And one should heed Nagel's statement in the introduction that "...if I say what I think, you have no reason to believe it unless you find it convincing." Nagel's observation that we may in fact be in more trouble if there is an afterlife than if there isn't is particula

An excellent introduction to philosophy.

This is a very readable introduction to philosophy, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has done no previous reading in philosophy. It is a little short, but should serve to stimulate interest and provide a basis for further reading.Topics covered are:1. introduction2. how do we know anything?3. other minds4. the mind-body problem5. the meaning of words6. free will7. right and wrong8. justice9. death10. the meaning of lifeAfter reading this, you might wish to take a look at these books:a. The Problem of the Soul (author: Flanagan) b. The View from Nowhere (author: Nagel)c. Language, Truth and Logic (author: Ayer)d. Life and Death (author: Hackett)e. The Meaning of Life (author: Klemke)f. The Examined Life (author: Nozick)g. The Symbolic Species (author: Deacon)These books should serve to stimulate further interest in philosophy, and introduce you to some good writers. They are all written for the non-specialist, and are available as low-cost paperbacks.

Brief philosophy at its very best.

I am a doctoral candidate in philosophy, and I still enjoyed reading this book. Never before have I seen such a brief, lucid introduction to some of the key problems of philosophy: Is there really an external world? Are there other minds? How does the mind relate to the brain? Is there such a thing as free will? What is the nature of morality and justice? How do words manage to refer to things? How should one feel about death? What is the meaning of life? Nagel offers short, engaging discussions of each.One will not find in this book all of the major problems one is typically introduced to in a philosophy class - notably absent is the problem of induction and, except for a side note or two, the question of whether or not there is a god. However, one will find more than enough to stimulate much deep thought and many restless nights. Heartily recommended to all.

Perfect little intro

This little book is perfect for its task: to introduce you to some of the main problems of philosophy, and get you thinking about them on your own, with no regard to the vast literature that has grinded over these problems in the last half dozen thousand years or so. The title is appropriate, as you'll stare at it, depressed, when the book is over. The last mini chapter is called "The Meaning of Life" and Nagel points out that some of us take our lives too seriously, and get depressed with the thought that no, there really is no point to living after all. The philosophical meat of the book weakens as you get to later chapters, perhaps because the problems become less focused. My favorite chapter was "Other Minds". You can't help but get this paranoid feeling that perhaps everyone you've ever interacted is has been... a figment of your imagination. Very Matrix-style.

Not bad; very introductory.

I think highly of Thomas Nagel as a serious philosopher. If you don't have a clue about philosophy, this is probably about as good an introduction as you can get. Nagel writes about philosophical problems that have haunted human minds throughout the ages. It is intentionally ahistorical for the good reasons that Nagel gives.If you have had exposure to philosophy in, say, a college level course, this book will be much too simple for you. But if you want something to grease the neurons to start thinking in the abstract way that is philosophical in character, then this book is for you. It's probably a great text for kids in a high school course or adults who are just realizing the benefit of stepping back from life for a moment or two to reflect on what it all means.