Description
Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction features a unique, engaging approach to introduce students to philosophy. It combines traditional readings and exercises with fictive narratives starring central figures in the history of the field from Plato to Martin Luther King, Jr. The book makes innovative use of compelling short stories from two writers who have prominently combined philosophy and fiction in their work. These narratives illuminate pivotal aspects of the carefully selected classic readings that follow. This gives students two ways to understand the philosophical positions: through indirect argument in fiction and through direct, deductive presentations. Study questions and writing exercises accompany each set of readings and help students grasp the material and create their own arguments.
About the Author
Michael Boylan
Reviews
"Boylan and Johnson return philosophy to its original home-the story. By blending narrative with other philosophical discourses, they create an approach that engages ambiguity in order to attain wisdom." -Marc Conner, Washington and Lee University "Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction is an exciting book that promises to invigorate courses in philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. Building on the categories of direct and indirect discourse, the authors offer a robust conception of 'fictive narrative philosophy'-one that treats seriously the power of fiction in philosophical discourse. The authors' innovative approach pairs the philosophies of major figures such as Plato, Kant, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with short stories that engage those figures in thought-provoking ways. The result is that the philosophical tradition is brought to life for students as abstract ideas become vivid and compelling." -Linda Furgerson Selzer, Penn State University "This unusual introduction to philosophy has broad appeal without sacrificing intellectual rigor." -Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Brown University "In the acknowledgements Charles Johnson quotes Camus, 'If you want to be a philosopher, write novels.' While an extravagant claim, Boylan and Johnson have conceived and brought to life an 'innovative' new introductory philosophy text that richly demonstrates what Camus calls for. The text's historical approach supplements the usual philosophers with multicultural, more inclusive works by Buddha, Arendt, Murdoch and M. L. King. It offers numerous helpful aids for the classroom, but most importantly it uniquely blends traditional philosophical argumentation with provocative fictive narratives (stories) that promise to engage students more fully, thus bringing philosophy alive in ways more traditional texts can only approximate." -Richard E. Hart, Bloomfield College
Book Information
ISBN 9780813344485
Author Charles Johnson
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint Westview Press Inc
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
About the Author
Michael Boylan
Reviews
"Boylan and Johnson return philosophy to its original home-the story. By blending narrative with other philosophical discourses, they create an approach that engages ambiguity in order to attain wisdom." -Marc Conner, Washington and Lee University "Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction is an exciting book that promises to invigorate courses in philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. Building on the categories of direct and indirect discourse, the authors offer a robust conception of 'fictive narrative philosophy'-one that treats seriously the power of fiction in philosophical discourse. The authors' innovative approach pairs the philosophies of major figures such as Plato, Kant, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with short stories that engage those figures in thought-provoking ways. The result is that the philosophical tradition is brought to life for students as abstract ideas become vivid and compelling." -Linda Furgerson Selzer, Penn State University "This unusual introduction to philosophy has broad appeal without sacrificing intellectual rigor." -Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Brown University "In the acknowledgements Charles Johnson quotes Camus, 'If you want to be a philosopher, write novels.' While an extravagant claim, Boylan and Johnson have conceived and brought to life an 'innovative' new introductory philosophy text that richly demonstrates what Camus calls for. The text's historical approach supplements the usual philosophers with multicultural, more inclusive works by Buddha, Arendt, Murdoch and M. L. King. It offers numerous helpful aids for the classroom, but most importantly it uniquely blends traditional philosophical argumentation with provocative fictive narratives (stories) that promise to engage students more fully, thus bringing philosophy alive in ways more traditional texts can only approximate." -Richard E. Hart, Bloomfield College
Book Information
ISBN 9780813344485
Author Charles Johnson
Format Paperback
Page Count 368
Imprint Westview Press Inc
Publisher Taylor & Francis Inc
