
This classic text introduces the major fields, problems, theories, and personalities of philosophy through the biographies and writing of leading thinkers. Presenting philosophy as an activity whose guiding principle is reason and whose goal is critical self-understanding, this book explains in a clear, uncluttered manner not only what the great philosophers said, but why they said it. The book also includes discussions of Alternative Philosophies throughout the book where appropriate. Each chapter concludes with a Contemporary Application that relates the philosophy to important issues of current concern. The seventh edition of About Philosophy has been revised to include presentation of topics related to Medical Ethics; new Contemporary Applications; and a strengthening of feminist theory throughout the book.
This text investigates the core fields, problems, and theories of philosophy by examining the lives and arguments of prominent historical thinkers. Robert Paul Wolff, a distinguished philosopher and educator, utilizes a biographical approach to frame philosophy as a rational activity aimed at achieving critical self-understanding. The work argues that understanding the historical context and personal motivations of philosophers is essential to grasping the logic behind their specific claims and theories.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts and educators frequently cite this work as a foundational and accessible entry point for undergraduate students. Readers often note the clarity of the prose and the effectiveness of the biographical approach in humanizing complex abstract concepts.
Page Count:
378
Publication Date:
1981-01-01
Publisher:
Prentice-Hall
ISBN-10:
0130006955
ISBN-13:
9780130006950
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