Philosophical Dilemmas: A Pro and Con Introduction to the Major Questions (Philosophy of Mind Series) Book

Philosophical Dilemmas provides a broad introduction to philosophy which features a very original approach to the discipline of Plato and Socrates. Lucidly written, it consists of approximately fifty jargon-free essays arranged in pairs. Each pair answers one of the principal philosophical questions, such as "Does God exist?" or "Are we free?", with two opposing arguments. On the topic of relativism, for example, one essay argues that morality is created by society and is relative to it, while the other claims that moral standards are absolute and universal. The essays are not summaries of great philosophers' ideas but rigorous debates that take a stand and defend it against anticipated criticism. Washburn incorporates some standard philosophical doctrines, but formulates them in contemporary, simplified terms that make for brisk and immensely informative reading.Read More