Philosophy & Religion
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by Simon Blackburn (Get the Book)
Sensing that many people are daunted by the big questions in philosophy, university professor Blackburn supplies this primer. Its capital weapon is logic, but Blackburn shrewdly postpones discussing that until he explores such areas as the self, free will, the reality of sensory perception, and God. Doubt, either initially or continually, infuses anyone who reflects on those spheres, and Blackburn illustrates ways to begin thinking about them by using the example of Descartes. Descartes gave yes answers to the question of whether the four spheres exist or not, through a logical process with which, after Blackburn has mapped it out, one can agree or not. One spoil sport was eighteenth-century philosopher David Hume, and Blackburn deploys further disputations of Descartes' beliefs, as in mind-body dualism. Blackburn does, however, subscribe to a species of free will, which he describes as "revised compatibilism." Finding out its definition is sufficient reason to consult Blackburn's book, written with exemplary concision and with conviction that philosophy needn't be an ethereal subject, alienated from practical concerns. --Booklist
by Isaiah Berlin (Get the Book)
In this outstanding collection of essays, Isaiah Berlin, one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century, discusses the importance of dissenters in the history of ideas--among them Machiavelli, Vico, Montesquieu, Herzen, and Sorel. With his unusual powers of imaginative re-creation, Berlin brings to life original minds that swam against the current of their times--and still challenge conventional wisdom. In a new foreword to this corrected edition, which also includes a new appendix of letters in which Berlin discusses and further illuminates some of its topics, noted essayist Mark Lilla argues that Berlins decision to give up a philosophy fellowship and become a historian of ideas represented not an abandonment of philosophy but a decision to do philosophy by other, perhaps better, means. "His instinct told him," Lilla writes, "that you learn more about an idea as an idea when you know something about its genesis and understand why certain people found it compelling and were spurred to action by it." This collection of fascinating intellectual portraits is a rich demonstration of that belief.
by Susan Haack (Get the Book)
This engaging and wide-ranging collection of essays is informed and unified by the conviction that philosophy can, and should, engage with real-world issues. Susan Haack's keen analytical skills and well-chosen illustrations illuminate a diverse range of cultural questions; and her direct style and wry sense of humor make complex ideas and subtle distinctions accessible to serious readers whatever their discipline or particular interests. Putting Philosophy to Work will appeal not only to philosophers but also to thoughtful scientists, economists, legal thinkers, historians, literary scholars, and humanists. This new, expanded second edition includes several previously unpublished essays: a devastating critique of Karl Popper's highly (and dangerously) influential philosophy of science; a searching and thought-provoking analysis of scientism; and a groundbreaking paper on "academic ethics in a preposterous environment" that every professor, and would-be professor, should read.
by Tom Butler-Bowden (Get the Book)
From Aristotle to Wittgenstein and Zizek, 50 Philosophy Classics provides a lively entry point to the field of philosophy. Analyses of key works by Descartes, Schopenhauer, Hegel, Heidegger, and Nietzsche also show how philosophy helped shape the thinking and events of the last 150 years. The list also includes 20th century greats including de Beauvoir, Foucault, Kuhn, and Sartre, along with contemporary philosophy including the writings and ideas of Peter Singer, Noam Chomsky, Harry Frankfurt, and Nassim Nicholas Taleb. 50 Philosophy Classics explores key writings that have shaped the discipline and impacted the real world. From Aristotle, Plato, and Epicurus in ancient times, to John Stuart Mill s manifesto for individual freedom and Ralph Waldo Emerson s struggle to understand fate as person versus the universe. Most notably, Butler-Bowdon takes readers beyond the twentieth century to introduce contemporary thinkers like Slavoj Zizek, who suggests that the fight for food and water, a biogenetic revolution, and social indicate the apocalyptic end of global liberal capitalism.
Al-Ghazzali discusses the virtues of patience and gratitude in great detail using examples from the Quran and the Traditions (ahadith). Patience is considered to be half of faith and is necessary at all times in all situations according to al-Ghazzali. He explains how one can gain patience. In regard to the virtue of gratitude, he explores its opposite of ingratitude, the true nature of blessings, how knowledge is good and ignorance is evil and blessings and their various degrees. This is Book XXXII of Part Four of the Alchemy of Happiness entitled The Deliverers. Considered as one of the great books of the muslim world. (Summary)
by George R. Tyler (Get the Book)
In his first book, Tyler, a former Clinton administration deputy assistant Treasury secretary, slams popular acquiescence to low wages, imperious CEOs, and diminished national net worth. He contrasts the pursuit abroad of "family capitalism"-a doctrine of healthy compensation, job retraining, and productivity growth-with the increasing income disparities in the U.S. that destroy economic mobility and perpetuate poverty. Tyler identifies the Reagan era and its free-market dogma as the beginning of the reversal of middle-class growth, but sees little change since then. He argues that a first step toward recovery would be to boost the wages of lower-income households; he cites Australia and Europe as examples showing that prosperity and living wages are complementary, not contradictory. Whatever the merits of his proposals, the array of data he presents justifies popular apprehension about America's future. The key issue is not big government vs. small government, he maintains, but rather the distribution of wealth. While Tyler's recommendations seem hard to achieve, he provokes outrage with his impassioned portrait of an America where job security is a relic of the past. --Publishers Weekly
by Kyle Idleman (Get the Book)
"When it comes to Jesus, I am not a fan." That is the attention-snagging message megachurch pastor Idleman hopes readers are repeating by the end of this book. Addressing all Christians-including himself, Idleman writes that "the biggest threat to the church today is fans" who admire Jesus but aren't fully committed to being followers. Using Biblical examples and 11 startlingly honest testimonials from present-day followers, the author shows that being a Christian requires sacrifice and an all-consuming commitment to Jesus. Though his message is a direct challenge to the reader, Idleman offers humor and conversation instead of guilt and condemnation. He takes old themes (e.g., take up your cross, suffer for a greater purpose) and repackages them with natural wit and 21st century relevance. The meat of this succinct message could be lost if the titular catchphrase becomes yet another T-shirt slogan. But if readers latch onto the deeper meaning, they could find themselves reevaluating everything from their careers to their relationships. A refreshing read to recharge apathetic churchgoers. --Library Journal
by Polly Morland (Get the Book)
British documentary filmmaker Morland takes readers on an expansive philosophical inquiry into the nuanced qualities of timidity and courage. With a mix of cheerful camaraderie and robust curiosity, she reports on individuals in widely diverging circumstances that try their courage or cowardice. Her choices range from veterans of the war in Afghanistan and big-wave surfers to a computer scientist with ALS and an opera singer heckled at La Scala. As she wades through thorny moral and ethical issues, Morland also delves into etymology, making frequent use of major writers and thinkers who have pondered the value of courage. Another tricky notion Morland tackles is whether selfless acts trump self-serving, high-risk adventures like high-wire walking and scaling skyscrapers. Occasionally, it seems as if she is comparing apples and oranges, but generally Morland steers deftly through touchy areas like the role of non-violent yet courageous actions. Her well-chosen examples are thought-provoking, and her refusal to offer a pat answer opens dialogue that will continue long after the book ends, making it a great choice for book clubs and classrooms. --Publishers Weekly
by Jon Kabat-Zinn (Get the Book)
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 In his latest book, Kabat-Zinn (founder, Stress Reduction Clinic & Ctr. for Mindfulness, Univ. of Massachusetts Medical Sch.) simplifies the approach to mindfulness he presented in his notable Wherever You Go, There You Are and makes it more inviting for beginners. He provides mindfulness teachings and over 40 practices for those interested in meditating to reduce stress, reenergize the body, clear the mind, and bring compassionate attention to situations and relationships. Kabat-Zinn thoroughly discusses the how-tos of mindfulness and offers several guided meditations with an accompanying CD (not heard by this reviewer). The brief, straightforward chapters make this book a valuable entry point for meditation novices. --Library Journal |
by Simon Blackburn (Get the Book)
