Reviews"An excellent introduction; it introduces students to some of the important philosophical questions without overwhelming them with terminology or history."--Jason A. Beyer, College of Lake County, "A good philosophy book for neophytes. It is penetrable for the beginner and comprehensive enough to elucidate a spectrum of traditional philosophic issues."--David Wolf, SUNY at Albany, "An outstanding introductory framework to many of the most important problems in philosophy. It is clear and simple--even my freshman can read it--yet never simplistic...Ties in well with many traditional theories."--Richard M. Wolters, Doane College, "The perfect title for a writing that offers no answers while helping the student formulate their own responses to life's greatest questions."--JoAnn L. Smith, North Central Bible College, "An outstanding introductory textbook to philosophy. The best textbook I know to give freshmen an idea of what philosophy is."--Ran Lahay, Southern Methodist University, "A good, clearly interesting book to use for an Introduction to Philosophy course. Thomas Nagel has done a fine job."--Stephen Joseph, Framingham State College, "The perfect title for a writing that offers no answers while helping thestudent formulate their own responses to life's greatest questions."--JoAnn L.Smith, North Central Bible College, "An excellent and accessible introduction to the pressing issues ofphilosophy."--Andrew s. Beedle, University of Connecticut, "We are already using this book as a text, and we are enjoyingit."--Martin E. Bayang, New Mexical State University, "An outstanding introductory textbook to philosophy. The best textbook Iknow to give freshmen an idea of what philosophy is."--Ran Lahay, SouthernMethodist University, "An excellent statement of the basic problems of philosophy, clear enoughto be accessible to beginners but sufficiently sophisticated to challenge theintellectually ambitious."--Ciaran P. Cronin, Grinnell College, "A very well written book...great for introducing the topics to an intro-level class. It touches on key issues and brings up the relevant points, yet all in relatively short and easy-to-understand chapters. Would be a great supplement for a course in metaphysics."--Jack Bowen, DeAnza College, "This little book by Nagel is quite simply the best introduction to philosophy ."--Graham Oddie, University of Colorado at Boulder, "An outstanding introductory gramework to many of the most importantproblems in philosophy. It is clear and simple--even my freshman can readit--yet never simplistic...Ties in well with many traditionaltheories."--Richard M. Wolters, Doane College, "A very graspable introduction to epistemological, ethical, andmetaphysical issues."-Paul Jensen, Augustana College, "A very well written book...great for introducing the topics to an intro-level class. It touches on key issues and brings up the relevant points, yet all in relatively short and easy-to-understand chapters. Would be a great supplement for a course in metaphysics."--Jack Bowen, DeAnzaCollege, "We are already using this book as a text, and we are enjoying it."--Martin E. Bayang, New Mexical State University, "This is ... a good, clearly interesting book to use for an Introductionto Philosophy course. Thjomas Nagel has done a fine job."--Stephen Joseph,Framingham State College, "Nagel's little philosophical primer serves as a great way to investigate young mind's thinking about classical dilemmas in the field."--Martin Kettelhut, Temple University, "A phenomenal amount of material in a tiny book coupled with humor."--Joan Anderson, Orange Coast College, CA, "A lucid introduction to basic philosophical problems as they may come tomind in adolescence reflective moments in adult life."--Naomi Zuck, Empire StateCollege
Dewey Edition19
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SynopsisIn 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-bodyproblem, free will, the basis of morality, right and wrong, the nature of death, the meaning of life, and the meaning of words. Although he states his own opinions clearly, Nagel leaves these fundamental questions open,allowing students to entertain other solutions and encouraging them to think for themselves., In this cogent and accessible introduction to philosophy, the distinguished author of Mortal Questions and The View From Nowhere brings the central problems of philosophical inquiry to life, demonstrating why they have continued to fascinate and baffle thinkers across the centuries. Leading students into the consideration of nine philosophical questions, he states his own opinions but leaves the issues open, encouraging students to think forthemselves about these fundamental problems., 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, free will, the basis of morality, right and wrong, the nature of death, the meaning of life, and the meaning of words. Although he states his own opinions clearly, Nagel leaves these fundamental questions open, allowing students to entertain other solutions and encouraging them to think for themselves.