Philosophy Books

After reading T.Z. Lavine's _From Socrates to Sartre_, I stumbled upon Rachels' _Problems from Philosophy_. While Lavine's book is a great history of philosophy, Rachels covers what philosophy IS.

The book broadly discusses the major fields of philosophy: free will vs. determinism (exploring the question "is there such a thing as free will?" - the answer may surprise you), the nature of evil ("how can there be evil if there is an omnipotent, benevolent diety?"), ontology ("is there a God?") and ethics ("what makes right?").

These questions are fascinating, but Rachels does much more than simply asking solid philosophical questions. He engages the reader into grappling with them, providing clear, logical arguments on both sides of the issue, and leaving the reader to arrive at their own conclusions and wrestle with the implications of their answers.

The PowerWeb (an on-line resource through the publisher) was moderately helpful - while its a good and useful thing to be able to read source work by the great philosophers (from Plato and Augustine to Hume and Nagel), they can be a bit dense and difficult reading for the amateur (at least they were for me.) Rachels' explainations were much preferred.

While it is merely an introduction, I highly recommend it.

This is an amazing book of the most insightful quotes of Coelho. It is definitely a lesson about life. The language is poetic and filosophical. I love Coelho. He is trully a life teacher.

I bought this book for my 29 year old brother who never reads. I thought he might like Paolo's ideas and philosophy, but would never be able to actually read one of his books. This one is perfect. I buy quite a lot in Germany and have also bought one of Paolo's CD's of his thoughts and short stories.
Well, my brother loved the gift, and thought he's give it a try

Nice and understandable quotes collected from all his great books. Neat arranged and very good to just leafing through and randomly pick one. And a great cover and awesome paintings.

Paulo Coelho can do no wrong in my book. This collection of thoughts from his books and other writings summarizes his beliefs on life, love, destiny etc. It provides the reader with food for thought and reminds us of the things we know about life somewhere in the back of our heads but tend to forget we know as life happens.
If you're not careful you can read this entire book in less than an hour, but if you do you'd have missed the point. I read, reflect and where appropriate, I write.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

This book has positive themes on life. For instance, dreams
nourish the soul. As such, the good fight is done in affirming
the authenticity of our dreams. The author asks that we
open our hearts to follow dreams to their ultimate fruition.
The author asks that we choose one path rather than scattering
our efforts over the many.

This in itself is good advice. The pilgrimage itself teaches
the best way to actualize our dreams. From a practical standpoint,
human beings search for dreams but toil to achieve them. Virtue is similar to courage for those who seek the spiritual path.
Our energy and knowledge are attributed to G-d.

The book is an excellent rendition for relating the spiritual realm
to the practical world we live in.

Elizabeth Reynolds Welfel has written an insightful and informative guide to ethical decision making for anyone in the helping professions. She presents her material in a clear and easily readable form. It is obvious that Dr. Welfel is an expert in the field and her vast knowledge of the research on ethical behavior is evident. Her nine-step model of ethical decision making is a clear blueprint for helping counselors and psychologists make informed and thoughtful ethical decisions. I have used this text to help my counseling students develop an understanding of the ethical standards and underlying principles of the counseling profession and I plan to continue to use it in the future. I highly recommend this book for anyone teaching in counselor or psychologist education, as well as for any mental health professional.

Michael P. Foley's "Editor's Preface" to this edition of Confessions contextualizes the translation well. It serves to locate Sheed's translation historically and academically. The "Editor's Preface" also discusses the cover art for this edition. That discussion is not only an insightful description of the art, but also relates the art to the text effectively.

As a long-time Feng Shui practitioner, I am well aware of the importance of life-affirming energy. The Wisdom Chi Kung: Practices for Enlivening the Brain with Chi Energy, by Mantak Chia, explains how to rid oneself of the "monkey chatter" and live a more clear, calm and vitalized existence.

After reading the book, I began the Inner Smile meditation technique with impressive results. I had been too agitated to begin a large projects these past few months and now I have dug right in! I feel calmer--more centered--and am easily able to focus on my project.

Well written and concise, I highly recommend this book.

I would also like to recommend two other books that will help raise the life-affirming energy in your home, which helps improve your chi. As a Feng Shui practitioner, I see many improvements, including greater clarity and calmness in my client's lives when I help them raise the chi energy in their homes. if clutter is a problem, try Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui. For overall tips on raising the energy in your home, try: Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.

the book came in a timely manner- was in great condition- and surved its purpose well! thanks.

I found this book to be so insanely biased that I was laughing at his conclusions! I'm no conservative but its hard to take this book seriously, especially since he leaves Maria Montessori completely out of it(I know she was Italian but she had a significant impact on American education). Perhaps the most confusing thing he said was that there is no correct or right interpretation of history therefore implying that his is wrong by default. Also, how can a person think that a person's race determines their values? But this kind of attitude is prevelant through out the book! Prescribing values to a certain race is racism, I'm sorry. Is this how modern educators really view education?? I can't say enough bad things philosophically speaking about this book. All of the problems that he has with politics in education would be eradicated if he supported private schools, then he could have his precious little multicutural prep schools. I'm sorry but school is supposed to teach you HOW TO THINK not WHAT TO THINK. Let your own mind be the judge of what to think, please god don't let public schools(or Dr. Spring) be the judge!

This book was used in my masters class -- it is not your typical textbook -- in that it includes the author's opinions about educational history in America. It is well written and Spring has some opinions that can incite the reader to action and others that the reader will "just go along with". For lovers of history -- it is a good read. For those interested in the educational foundations of America, it is a good read.

I have only read chapter 9 of this book. That said, I found it to be extremely helpful, providing a chronological overview of the economic, social and political forces shaping and reshaping American schools in the 19th & 20th centuries. The author presents the perspectives of numerous intellectuals in the field. His writing style is clear and concise. Much easier to read than many other texts I have run across in the domain.

Munson and Conway do a very fine job in this little text, introducing the subject matter of logic with enough detail to get you started. There are, of course, lots of textbooks out there that go into lots more detail. But this one is about right if you want to pick it up and cover the basics on your own. You learn what an argument is and how to recognize them and analyze them, what the basic types of arguments are (deductive and inductive) and how they differ and how to assess each type for its success as an inductive argument and for its validity as a deductive argument. There is coverage of basic propositional logic and proofs, and coverage of categorical syllogisms and Venn diagrams. There are chapters on fallacies (though I have a minor quibble with them on which fallacies to include in an intro text, the chapter does give a good overview), on probabilistic reasoning, on causal reasoning, and on writing logically.

I assign this one as a basic text in my introduction to logic course -- largely because I can't see the point of assigning a big textbook that will cost them $90 when this one covers what I need, and I can supplement it with other materials of my own choosing. One advantage you would get from some of the more expensive texts (e.g. Hurley or Copi's introductory textbooks) is access to a computer based program that can guide you through problems. Otherwise, in terms of coverage and clarity, this text works quite well.

While this book presents standard forms of logic, it real strength lies in its application to everyday common sense, logic. I especially enjoyed the thorough exposition on how to recognize fallacious reasonings.

I highly recommend this book as a graduation gift, wedding gift, and as a gift to new mothers! I love it! Every now & then I get it off the shelf and read it ALOUD to myself...it is much more powerful when read aloud. Anna Qundlen's words of wisdom put everything in perspective and get me back on track to being the mother, wife, and friend I want to be, but often lose sight of in my hectic life. It is a quick read and very inspirational.

I really liked this little book. The pictures are really cool, and the comments on what it takes to be happy are good reminders, like:

-- Being a good spouse, mother and friend
-- Laughing, listening and just showing up
-- Keeping still and being present
-- Being generous
-- Remembering to live instead of just exist...and many more

This is a very quick read, so it's easy to pull it out again from time to time to remind us of what's really important. It would make a nice gift book, too.

Terrific Writter.
I have picked up about 5 copies of this book to give as Graduation gifts for High School and College students.
She take ordinary situations and simply everyday moments and show us how to really look at them and learn.
This book is a treasure.
You'll want to hold onto a copy for yourself.
~Jane

Wow- Anna Quindlen's book "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" is a revelation. This small book may offer the appearance of brevity, but when it comes to wisdom and applicable life-altering perspectives, Ms. Quindlen offers an approach to life that is abundant with possibilities for hope and happiness. I have long been a fan of her fictional work, particularly her novels "Blessings", Black and Blue (Oprah's Book Club)" and "One True Thing: A Novel", in addition to her insightful articles in The New York Times. However, in this brief- yet abundantly wise reflection- she is able to document her quest for attaining a peaceful, enlightened existence.

Quindlen's life abruptly shifted when her mom died during her freshman year of college. Subsequently, she spent many of her formative adult years looking for a deeper meaning to her life. She spends a good portion of the book examining popular misconceptions about how to achieve a fulfilling, happy life. She questions which of our life experiences we will prioritize when we are faced with our own mortality. When that last day, last hour, last minute beckons will you be able to reflect upon a life has been busy with meaningful, enriching experiences- or a life that has simply been `busy'? Quindlen derives a simple, yet very applicable philosophy that has helped her attain an enlightened life: "Show up. Listen. Try to laugh."

Two of my favorite authors, Ariel and Shya Kane, also offer inspiring, magical examples of how to live a fulfilling, happy life in their book "Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment." The Kanes write about how the art of listening and showing up for your life by simply becoming engaged in the `current moment of now' can transform the qualitative experience your life- in an instant. In one of my favorite passages, Ariel and Shya are working with one of their clients in a weekly workshop that they facilitate in New York City on Monday Nights. (btw- if you find yourself in NY- check it out at www.ask-inc.com - these workshops are truly life altering!) Their client, Sarah, talks about how she always finds herself in a stage of "upset" in her life. The Kanes suggest that when you find yourself complaining about life, awash in a pity party for one- pretend that you are driving a car down a one way street, apply the brakes and back out of it! There is no need to indulge, justify or rehash your misery- just put your foot on the brake of unhappiness and drive down an alternative road! It sounds simple. It sounds easy. It is. It just takes brakes and the willingness to travel down an alternative pathway.

After reading the inspirational ideas set forth by both Quindlen and the Kanes, I can see that living a magical, transformational life is both accessible and easy! All it takes is being open to the possibilities.

Anna Quindlen's charming and engaging little book is a refreshing reminder that life is short, magical and that every moment matters. In a direct and elegant way, Quindlen shares the lessons she learned during and after her mother's death. These lessons focus on embracing your life and not taking it for granted whether you're in one moment enjoying spring flowers or being of service to another human being. I was really touched by the author's honest and humble sentiment throughout the book; Quindlen manages to bypass the drama and darkness of the experience of her mother's death and offer up the richness of what she experienced as a result. Reading it felt like receiving a sweet gift from a friend.

Another book that shares profound life lessons with a similar sense of sincerity and sweetness is Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, by Ariel & Shya Kane. Through incredible stories and examples from real life, the Kanes share what they have discovered on their 20+ year journey as a couple about how to have life be richer and more fulfilling than you ever imagined. If you want to feel inspired, refreshed and enlivened (rather than 'worked on' or preached to), pick up both of these books and treat yourself to a truly delightful experience.

This book is more than just an exceptionally wonderful collection of logical fallacies. I enjoyed the fresh examples, and I must confess that a few of them have found their way into my lectures. While our school library has this book in its collection because it provides additional informal logic practice, and allows students to research deeper into our introduction to Critical Thinking, the book has been used by my debate team too.

The language is sufficient for bright High School students, and I would heartily recommend it for anyone teaching critical thinking in High Schools, and I believe that it should be mandatory for any school in Ontario, Canada with a Philosophy curriculum.

Lastly, just like any toobox, there might be tools for which you don't immediately find a use. I do not accept the negative reviews of this book, and in this light, many of their comments become null and void.

A dusty alphabetized list of rhetorical devices. Might be nice if you are taking a course in rhetoric, but other than that, bring your No-Doz.

This book works like a dictionary. It's pretty useful for studying for the LSAT, as I'm currently doing. Some of the entries are common sense but the majority are written with elegant humour. It's more pleasurable to skip from argument to argument than reading it straight through from front to back as you'll probably need to go back to specific ones and work out their intricacies. I enjoy Madsen's writing quite a bit. Also helps that I have a Scottish inclination over English. His examples and tone are down to earth and no BS - which is rare. It's also pleasurable to see him use one fallacy as an example for explaining another fallacy for he shows you how to use a fallacy accurately and well.

Although the author thoroughly covers use & abuse of logic to fit one's agenda, he does not pass up the opportunity to once-in-a-while bash conservatives and religious groups by claiming that certain falacies are used by these groups that he apparently has a bias against.

If you're going to specifically attribute some falacy use to conservatives or religious groups, you ought to also link other falsehoods to the liberal left, and athiest groups.

This way, at least his presentation would be balanced.

Maybe it's the authors style of writing, or that I haven't been to college, when I was reading the book, I thought I was reading a long introduction until 20 pages later I checked and realized I was already reading the book, it seemed to have no begining and no end, I went back to the begining to see if there was a guide to reading the book, but there was non, the only indication you get as a new topic is the bold prints. The author tries to explain fallacies in a very text book way and then when he gives an example you don't even know its an example, then he puts what I guess is jokes in parentasis but your not even sure what it is just more confusion. I have read Nonsense by Robert J. Gula this is a book that puts it plain and simple I understand what a strawman, red herrings is from this book but when I read from "how to win an argument" i just can't comprehend the meaning, the logic, the examples, nor how to abuse of the logic.

I don't think this is a 'must read', but it was pretty entertaining if you're into philosophy, history or like to find out where words come from. You always hear people say, things like "his politics are machiavellian" and you know it means 'cut-throat', but you don't know why. Well reading this clears it up, although I didn't get the impression that he favored such tactics, it just happened that sometimes those tactics work for maintaining power and this is what this book is all about. Getting, keeping and expanding your power, specifically over principalities, but you can apply some things to business I'm sure.

It's an easy read (which surprised me) and not very lengthy, so don't be intimated by it if you're interested in reading it.

This book was written by the famous Italian statesman Niccolo Machiavelli in 1531. This book is a classic and I was pleasantly surprised that the content was not dated and the principles translate easily into the modern worlds of business and politics.
The author wrote this book as an instruction guide for governing princes in the 1500's when Italy was divided into city states and were being defeated by many foreign powers. I belive that the work is directed to Lorenzo de Medici by a letter included in the work and because at the end of the writing Machiavelli calls for a prince to unite and lead Italy against its oppressors.
The book is not unethical as I had imagined from my understanding of the ruthlessness of Machiavellian ethics. The author is only explaining tactics to use to maintain power in a kingdom or city state that are pragmatic for his time period.
Here are some examples from the book:
1. When conquering a territory keep the current laws and institutions in place, but eliminate all the family of the defeated prince.
2. When trouble is sensed ahead of time it can be easily remedied, if you wait for it to show itself, it is to late.
3. Whoever is responsible for another becoming powerful, ruins himself.
4. There is no surer way of keeping possesion than by devastation.
5. Men do you are harm either because they hate you or they fear you.
6. Violence must be inflicted once and for all, it must be over quickly.
7. Build your power through the people.
8. Power is maintained through religious institutions.
9. Neglect the art of war and you lose your state.
10. If you act virtuously, you will be undone by those who are not, make use of this or not according to need.
The above is just a small sampling of the lessons in this book. My review can not do this book justice, it is full of wisdom and life lessons. It is a guide book for business leaders and politicians. I strongly suggest adding this book to your home library and referring to it often.