Table of Contents

Each chapter ends with Glossary Terms, Chapter Review, Study Questions and Projects, and Suggested Readings sections
Introduction: What is Philosophy?
Chapter 1: The Task of Philosophy:
The Meanings of Philosophy
Why We Need Philosophy
Traditional Branches of Philosophy
Philosophical Methodology--Socratic Dialectic
The Uses of Philosophy
Values and Education
Philosophy Today
Reflections
Part One: The Nature of Human Nature
Chapter 2: Human Nature: What Is It?:
Metaphysics and Human Nature
Is There a Human Nature?
How Humans Differ from the Rest of Nature
Images of Human Nature
Reflections
Chapter 3: The Self:
The Nature of the Self
Denials of the Existence of a Self
Consciousness
Reflections
Chapter 4: The Mind:
The Nature of the Mind
Difficulties of Studying the Mind
Theories of the Mind
The Mind-Body Relationship
Parapsychology
Reflections
Chapter 5: The Freedom to Choose:
The Philosophical Meaning of Freedom
The Denial of Freedom
Indeterminism
Self-Determination
Reflections
Part Two: The Realm of Values
Chapter 6: The Meaning of Values:
Value Judgments
Facts and Values
How Values Are Justified
Values and the Aesthetic Experience
The Selection of Values
Reflections
Chapter 7: Ethics and Morality:
Moral Judgments
The Moral Situation
Ethics: The Study of Morality
A Variety of Ethical Standards--Normative Ethics
Approaches to Ethical Standards
Contemporary Principles
Reflections
Chapter 8: Individual and Social Morality:
A Contemporary Challenge
Civil Liberties
Civil Disobedience
The Limits of Liberty
The Enforcement of Morals
Contemporary Moral Issues
Reflections
Part Three: Knowledge and Science
Chapter 9: The Sources of Knowledge:
Central Questions in the Theory of Knowledge
Tradition and Common Sense
Obstacles to Clear Thinking
The Possible Sources of Knowledge
Reflections
Chapter 10: The Nature and Tests of Knowledge:
Basic Issues in the Nature of Knowledge
Subjectivism
Objectivism
The Nature of Knowledge: Further Considerations
The Tests of Knowledge
Three Tests of Truth
Reflections
Chapter 11: Science and Philosophy:
The Development of Science
Philosophy of Science: Basic Issues
Scientific Methods
The Nature and Role of Models and Paradigms
A Method of Acquiring Knowledge
Limitations of Scientific Methods
Philosophy and Science: Agreements and Contrasts
Scientfic Views of the Universe
The Origin and Nature of Life
Human Beings and Evolution
Reflections
Part Four: Philosophical Perspectives
Chapter 12: Naturalism:
Naturalism Defined
Mechanistic Materialism
Dialectical Materialism
Humanistic Naturalism
Reflections
Chapter 13: Idealism and Realism:
Contrasting Philosophical Movements
Idealism Defined
Types of Idealism
Implications of Idealism
Realism Defined
Types of Realism
Implications of Realism
Evaluation of Idealism
Evaluation of Realism
Chapter 14: Pragmatism:
Pragmatism Defined
Charles S. Peirce
William James
John Dewey
Reflections
Chapter 15: Analytic Philosophy:
Language and Philosophy
Locke, Hume, and the Traditional Outlook
The Empirical Tradition
Analytic Philosophy and Questions of Knowledge
Reflections
Chapter 16: Existentialism, Phenomenology, and Process Philosophy:
Some Characteristics of Existentialism
Some Existentialist Thinkers
Some Characteristics of Phenomenology
Some Phenomenological Thinkers
Some Characteristics of Process Philosophy
Two Process Philosophers
Reflections
Part Five: Religion: East and West
Chapter 17: The Nature of Religion:
What Is Religion?
The Nature of Religion
The Origin and Growth of Religion
Myth in Sacred Literature
Religious Experience
Three Universal Religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam
Current Religious Issues
Reflections
Chapter 18: Belief in God:
The Nature of God
Grounds for Belief in God
Grounds for Disbelief in God
Personal Survival after Death
Reflections
Chapter 19: Asian Thought:
The Nature of Asian Religion
The Hindu Tradition
The Buddhist Quest for Enlightenment
Confucius and Lao-zi
Mao Ze-dong
The Value System of the Japanese
Reflections
Concluding Reflection:
Glossary:
Picture Credits:
Index: