Reason at Work: Introductory Readings in Philosophy Book

Reason at Work represents the authors' attempt to introduce students to the best in contemporary and historical work in philosophy. In making their selections, the authors have been guided by several considerations. First and most important, the readings are intended to illustrate the authors' belief that philosophy is an essential tool for anyone who wishes to engage in serious intellectual work. Despite obvious limitations of space, they believe that their selections illuminate the presuppositions of many of the most important areas of human endeavor. In addition, the readings reflect their belief that philosophers have made significant progress in the past thirty years both on traditional questions and in newer interdisciplinary problem areas. These findings are of interest to anyone who wants a contemporary version of a traditional liberal arts education. Finally, our selections are intended to capture what we find riveting about the discipline--the combination of rigor and imaginative genius that the best work often displays. - From the PrefaceRead More