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Summary: Philosophy for Theists
Review: I purchased this book with the expectations that a book about the basics of philosophy would be an unbiased exploration of the various shcools of thought and philisophical methods of thinking that would allow the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. I was wrong. The book occasionally does a good job of introducing different philisophic ideas and makes the point that any one can be a philosopher. However, the writer consistently lets his own opinions get in the way of the writing. Since Tom Moriss was a Proffesor at Notre Dame for 15 years it comes as no suprise that his support goes to theism and morality. A good example of the books one sidedness is the Chapter " Is there a god?" In this section the idea that god does not exist is frequently rebuttled by statements the equivalant of saying that we don't know he doesn't exist. However,he supports theories such as the ontological argument that says if god, as a perfect being, exists in any set of circumstances, even fictional ones, then he must exist in all because he is perfect. If I were to make up a fictional green monkey that visited all the readers of this review and has the characteristic of existing in all circumstances that doesn't make it true. When talking about the meaning of life he actually says (referring to a major "error" in nihlist philosophy) "There is no way to prove life has no meaning." This would be okay, but he does not say the reverse for the other end of the arguement. Instead he comes to the conclusion for the reader that "The meaning of life itself is tied to the existence of god" whom he has already proved exists. If someone is looking for an unbiased introduction to philosophy this is not that book. If, however, you are in search of a self help book that has someone reaffirmiing your belief in god by forcefully jamming senseless arguements down your throat then this is your book.
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Summary: Good for a philosophy student like me!
Review: Only a week until classes, and I am thumbing through this book and it looks pretty good. I do agree with his quote which was "Philosophy is more than a game. It's a powerful skill that can protect you." That's true. No longer will you have to blindly accept people's claims, especially from salesman. You will also learn how to pick out faulty arguments. For example, in my logic class there is a term called "Ad Verecundeum". Here is an example, "If someone buys a product just because someone endorses it, there is a fallacy because the endorsers doesn't always have any knowledge in the product that he is endorsing." Get it? Just get this book! It's good for the spirit.
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Summary: Just Read It
Review: I am grateful for Tom Morris putting so many years of experience into this book targeted for the general public. I have read many thumbs down comments here about the book being pro belief in God. But that makes me wonder if there isn't some athiest club out there asking its members to denounce the book. Nike's pearl of wisdom is "Just do it." I suggest you Just read it. It is the nature of philosophers to take a position. Otherwise they are not philosophers they are narrators. There is a ton of material other than the belief in God issue anyway in this book. There is no hidden agenda in trying to convert athiests. Actually I am not sure if it was in this book by Tom Morris, or one of his other ones, but I find the comment about God that I think fits very well with my gut is "God gives us the nuts. But he does not crack them." -- German Proverb. Tom also quotes Woody Allen's crack at God not being evil but perhaps being an underachiever. I think that is a fair analysis of God - whether God exists or not doesn't matter. We still need to do our part either way. Without a God it would seem that virtues such as love would have no anchor and therefore could be rendered old fashioned. Love is real and it comes from somewhere other than human survival genes I would think. In an email conversation with the author, Tom had advised me that "God is subtle" or something to that effect. Therefore I think the thumbs down comments about this book are exaggerated and by "Just reading it" you will have an easy to read, concise presentation of the interesting subject that philosophy is. In doing so I hope you find some pearls that click with you as the "subtle, underachieving" God description has been one I will never forget and that really clicks with me. And I thank Tom for being authentic in his presentation and not philosophically "politically correct." Most books you read you will forget about, they will completely go out the other ear, rendering them meaningless in the long term, and as entertainment value at most. This book really is no different along those lines - you would need to re-read it at future points in time. But likely you will find pearls of truth whether about God or any of the other topics, that only an experienced expert such as Tom Morris would have access to, that you will hold on to forever. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water (somewhat intended as a double entendre) - read the book...
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Summary: Manipulative Catholic Philosophy for Unsuspecting Dummies
Review: I own a large number of dummies publications. I have found them to be a clear, neutral and unbiased reference sources, particularly when I am new to a subject. Unfortunately, this is not true of Philosophy for Dummies. This book is highly biased and should have been entitled Manipulative Evangelical Catholic Philosophy for Unsuspecting Dummies. This is a very sneaky book whose true intention, namely to prove to you that God exists and that you should believe in God, doesn't really become apparent until you are about halfway through the book To do a quick, objective comparison I also purchased the Complete Idiot's Guide to Philosophy. What a difference! Not as well written but a truly objective overview of the major lines of philosophy. Unfortunately I will need to be much more careful and less trusting in the future particularly when I look at nontechnical Dummies books.
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Summary: opinionated and sometimes offfensive
Review: You will find some very insightful ideas and quotes in this book, however it is really the story of how Tom Morris views the world and it's greatest thinkers. A clever and subtle Morris will try to guide the reader to a certain opinion, and explain how all the others are unworthy of belief. Some may find that this book affirms the beliefs that they already have. Some may be offended because Morris does not forgive those who have opinions different than his own. I fully expected not to agree with Morris on some subjects, but what offended me were his attempts to mask his objectives in writing the book.
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Summary: I wish it were written objectively. . .
Review: I have to admit that the book seemed awesome at first, but then I got to parts of the book that kept pushing "God." I was surprised at first and took a look at the section relating to the existence of God, and I must admit that I was stunned. I looked at a few chapters before and after and saw the one sided argument all over the place. Tom Morris goes as far as accusing the atheist position of being irrational. He somehow believes that atheism and a happy life cannot go together. I was severely dissappointed by a lot of his views on atheism--it took away from the great information this book had. I returned the book the next day; I just couldn't stand his one sidedness.
Rating: 
Summary: Food for thought, but not an objective overview
Review: Tom Morris is clearly knowledgeable regarding philosophical arguments and ideas. He presents many, many ideas in this 300 page book, yet it reads relatively quickly. His style is smooth; he manages to discuss heavy issues with a light touch. However, as one reviewer mentioned, it is obvious what his personal beliefs are. In most instances, given a particular topic, he will discuss a few positions, criticize them, and then defend his belief system. Dr. Morris also has nice transitions from topic to topic that make the reading flow. This book shouldn't be approached as a comprehensive overview of philosophy; it is what is appears to be: a simple, yet intriguing introduction to the type of thought and argumentation used in philosophy.
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Summary: Excellent Introductory Book
Review: This is an excellent book to begin your study of philosophy. I wish it had been around 20 years ago when I was trying to slug my way through Kant at Davidson College. It provides an excellent foundation from which to launch your quest for knowledge. As an admitted theist, I particularly enjoyed the quotation by Pascal in which he states that " a Cosmos with a God is as absurd as a Cosmos without a God." (Paraphrased!)
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Summary: Asking the big questions never had an easier place to start
Review: Professor Morris presents all of the big questions that humanity has been arguing over since we first learned to annoy our friends and neighbors by asking "Why?" This work makes for a good introduction to the ideas that the great philosophers have tackled, not just a list of their names. I found it to be a tougher read than I expected, and that I will probably have to reread some parts for a better comprehension, and I thank the author for that challenge. His style is not heavy, but his methods and ideas are. Use this as a springboard to your own discoveries.
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Summary: No dummy
Review: This book is not what I expected from a work entitled "Philosophy for Dummies". In fact, I'm not sure what I expected but this warm, passionate, humorous and personal examination of philosophy caught me by surprise and rapidly drew me in. It is a real winner. The negative reaction of a minority of previous reviewers is not unexpected however. The author makes no attempt to hide his own position: a convinced and convincing theism. His "bias" obviously upsets some atheists but I would much rather read this passionate and "friendly" introduction to life's big questions than some dry tome that pretends to fairness but whose heart is a heart of darkness. Actually I think I do know what I expected from an introductory book on philosophy - cold, ivory tower intellectualism and word games - but what I got from this book was something much more envigorating, satisfying and hopeful. Recommended.
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