Does The Center Hold?: An Introduction to Western Philosophy

Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to philosophy
Review: Since reading it in a high school philosophy class, for years I've found this book the best introduction to many branches of philosophy. Easy to read and written with a sense of humor, it's a fun guide to the ideas and the questions that have made people think for thousands of years. You will find Palmer's book both enlightening and entertaining, whether you've never read philosophy before or are graduating with a degree in it.

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST INTRODUCTORY PHILOSOPHY TEXTBOOK EVER!!!
Review: There is no better philosophy I textbook. This textbook is fun and very easy to read yet teaches. If you are just a high school student loving philosophy, or taking a class, buy this book. High School, College, This philosophy book kills all other introductory philosophy books. (Most usually just have excerpts anyway). Use this book with Sophie's World or "The Big Questions"

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST INTRODUCTORY PHILOSOPHY TEXTBOOK EVER!!!
Review: There is no better philosophy I textbook. This textbook is fun and very easy to read yet teaches. If you are just a high school student loving philosophy, or taking a class, buy this book. High School, College, This philosophy book kills all other introductory philosophy books. (Most usually just have excerpts anyway). Use this book with Sophie's World or "The Big Questions"

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Philosophy
Review: This book is an excellent introduction to philosophy. The author makes complex philosophical problems relatively clear without sacrificing their inherent complexity, and he organizes philosophers and philosophies according to their response to various philosophical problems. His writing is fair and honest and he does not appear to have an axe to grind. The illustrations are both humorous and really helpful. It is through books like this that anyone can gain insight into the importance of philosophy and its ramifications in daily life.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Philosophy
Review: This book is an excellent introduction to philosophy. The author makes complex philosophical problems relatively clear without sacrificing their inherent complexity, and he organizes philosophers and philosophies according to their response to various philosophical problems. His writing is fair and honest and he does not appear to have an axe to grind. The illustrations are both humorous and really helpful. It is through books like this that anyone can gain insight into the importance of philosophy and its ramifications in daily life.

Rating:
Summary: A fun introduction
Review: This book is probably as good as any other general overview of philosophical ideas. It covers epistemology, ontology, religion, freedom, ethics, political and social philosophy, and art. Donald Palmer includes some people quite a lot (Plato, Marx, Freud, Sartre) while there are many philosophers who are not mentioned at all, but considering the number of philosophers and their numerous ideas, this may not be a fair objection.

What makes this book different from others is that it is very light reading. It isn't condescending, or excessively simple, but Palmer writes in a conversational manner and with a frank, sometimes humorous tone. And you see how no philosophical ideas, however convincing, are free from being challenged and scrutinized. This may not be a book you refer to time and again, but for a relaxed and entertaining introduction to different branches of philosophy, Palmer does a fine job. Tedious and confusing language is something you won't have to worry about.

Rating:
Summary: A fun introduction
Review: This book is probably as good as any other general overview of philosophical ideas. It covers epistemology, ontology, religion, freedom, ethics, political and social philosophy, and art. Donald Palmer includes some people quite a lot (Plato, Marx, Freud, Sartre) while there are many philosophers who are not mentioned at all, but considering the number of philosophers and their numerous ideas, this may not be a fair objection.

What makes this book different from others is that it is very light reading. It isn't condescending, or excessively simple, but Palmer writes in a conversational manner and with a frank, sometimes humorous tone. And you see how no philosophical ideas, however convincing, are free from being challenged and scrutinized. This may not be a book you refer to time and again, but for a relaxed and entertaining introduction to different branches of philosophy, Palmer does a fine job. Tedious and confusing language is something you won't have to worry about.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, yet Serious Introduction to Philosopy
Review: This topical introduction has hundreds of humorous illustrations drawn by the author. Writing in an engaging conversational style, he presents the issues typically covered in introductory courses, but with unusual clarity. I used the first edition several times as the core text for my Introduction to Philosophy class with great success.

Those who have read the first edition will miss the wonderful handwritten script. It has been replaced by a font called Tekton that is, unfortunately, somewhat tiring to read.