The Philosophy Book for Beginners - by Sharon Kaye (Paperback)

About the Book

"Who are you? What is truly real? Is there such a thing as free will? If you have ever considered questions like these, that's philosophy. The Philosophy Book for Beginners breaks down the core concepts of both Eastern and Western philosophy in clear language that explains the most important people and ideas. You'll develop an understanding of the basic ideas and see your understanding of the world expand --- no dense, academic texts required"--Amazon.com.

Book Synopsis

Explore big questions and understand complex philosophy

Who are you? What is truly real? Is there such a thing as free will? If you have ever considered questions like these, that's philosophy. The Philosophy Book for Beginners breaks down the core concepts of both Eastern and Western philosophy in clear language that explains the most important people and ideas. You'll develop an understanding of the basic ideas and see your understanding of the world expand--no dense, academic texts required.

• The major branches--Explore the central questions of metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and axiology as you see how they changed over time.
• A wide range of thinkers--Discover the diverse perspectives of philosophers, from Socrates in the fifth century BCE to modern-day thinkers like Martha Nussbaum.
• Thought experiments--Each chapter focuses on a topic, like existentialism, stoicism, or radical faith, and ends with a related thought experiment for you to ponder.

Gain a solid understanding of philosophy, with a book that makes it easy to grasp and relevant to the world today.

Review Quotes

"A truly delightful and wonderfully compact introduction to philosophy's key questions and major thinkers from ancient times to the present day. Kaye's engaging style and vivid examples make this the perfect guide for beginners. You are never too young (or too old) for philosophy, so I will be giving copies of this book to my children and my mother!" --William Irwin, general editor of The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture series

"In The Philosophy Book for Beginners, Professor Kaye provides a handy guide to some of the greatest thinkers of all time and their most important insights. Drawing from Plato, Ayn Rand, God, and truth and justice, Professor Kaye opens up the world of philosophy to anyone who might 'dare to be wise'." --Jacob M. Held, PhD, professor of philosophy

About the Author

Sharon Kaye, PhD, is a professor of philosophy at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. She publishes articles, textbooks, and philosophical novels while directing her own Philosophy for Kids program