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Rating:  Summary: wrong edition Review: As a college student and amateur philosopher I have had a chance to read several philosophy texts. I found that a good number of these philosphy texts were primarily interested in the facts concerning the historical timeline of philosphy (when Socrates was born etc. etc.). Velasquez's Philosophy A Text with Readings focuses on the ideas of the great historical philosphers and challenges the reader to think for her or himself. It is one of the few textbooks which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. I would read it even if I was not require to!
Rating:  Summary: An excellent introductory philosophy text and a great read! Review: As a college student and amateur philosopher I have had a chance to read several philosophy texts. I found that a good number of these philosphy texts were primarily interested in the facts concerning the historical timeline of philosphy (when Socrates was born etc. etc.). Velasquez's Philosophy A Text with Readings focuses on the ideas of the great historical philosphers and challenges the reader to think for her or himself. It is one of the few textbooks which I have thoroughly enjoyed reading. I would read it even if I was not require to!
Rating:  Summary: MDS Review: It may have been attributed to the fact that the matieral was so interesting, but I found the book to be well organized and very useful.Although it was the earlier edition of the book that my class required (7th edition), it contained all the material presented in only a slightly re-arranged manner.
Rating:  Summary: Highly Engaging Review: Of all the books on philosophy which I have purchased over the years (and have dispaired over), "Philosopy: A Text With Readings" is the only one that manages to be deeply engaging and rewarding, as well as comprehensive and capable of truly elucidating me on this expansive and illusive subject. The writing style is gentle, fluid, and personal. Manuel Valesquez writes in a way that is responsive to the modern sensibility of inclusiveness and respect. Because this book is so enjoyable it makes learning a pleasure instead of a chore. I recommend it enthusiastically!
Rating:  Summary: Highly Engaging Review: Of all the books on philosophy which I have purchased over the years (and have dispaired over), "Philosopy: A Text With Readings" is the only one that manages to be deeply engaging and rewarding, as well as comprehensive and capable of truly elucidating me on this expansive and illusive subject. The writing style is gentle, fluid, and personal. Manuel Valesquez writes in a way that is responsive to the modern sensibility of inclusiveness and respect. Because this book is so enjoyable it makes learning a pleasure instead of a chore. I recommend it enthusiastically!
Rating:  Summary: wrong edition Review: Seller advertised the wrong edition. Was very, very slow about communication. Never received the correct book.
Rating:  Summary: PHILOSOPHY Review: The book contains some mistake. It was once been used by an University for one semester. the book contains philosopher's profile also
Rating:  Summary: Bias toward analytic philosophy Review: While this text is serviceable for introduction to philosophy classes, I haven't used it in the sections I teach. The reason is one all to common in current philosophy textbooks: the editorial slant is decidedly toward contemporary analytic philosophy. While this philosophical movement is certainly significant, those of us in the more traditional, realist tradition find the academic imperialism of analytic philosophy a bit troublesome. This has affected this particular text's treatment of Aquinas and natural law, for example. The study questions devoted to this section demonstrate a rather dismissive and superficial understanding of the related issues. Having graduated at the B.A. level from the institution where the author teaches, I am familiar with the institutional bias on campus toward ideological "multiculturalism," and other contemporary PC "isms." During my own doctoral studies in philosophy, I shed such trendy scholarly prejudices. Classical realism is, and always has been, what I find to be the most substantial approach to the discipline. Unfortunately, those swimming with the tide of scholarly fashion, like Velasquez, attract the majority of those teaching in the field today. In fairness, the book does have many strengths. The ample primary texts included are a definite plus. The slick illustrations and study aids should help attract the limited attention spans of today's students. But the overall editorial stance is one dimensional, and does not reflect any interest in academic "inclusiveness" or "tolerance" regarding other approaches to philosophical texts--other than that of the analytic school. The best policy, in any case, is to focus on a few complete primary texts rather than employing the shot-gun blizzard of scattered readings typical of an introductory text.
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