James A. Gould (1) (1922–)

This introductory philosophy text is structured for a writing-intensive course. For many of the main questions of philosophy, two or three short (usually about 5-page) selections are presented from authors with conflicting views. You can just see the comparison/contrast papers writing themselves. Introductions by the editor are left very brief, leaving the thinkers to mostly speak for themselves, although questions before and after the readings provide guidance. Many of the major names are represented here. It should be stressed that these are classic questions and for the most part traditional Western responses. This isn't my favorite introductory book; some of the selections are a bit puzzling, and a bit more context is needed for true beginners. Still, this was well-worth picking up used and as a supplement rather than a sole reference.… (mehr)

I've read this before, but I've put it on my list to read again. It's a fantastic overview of major philosophical questions and a great primer for those considering philosophy as a major, or for those who need a quick overview while preparing for other adventures. It's a dense read, but not a difficult one, and can probably be skimmed somewhat effectively. The body of this text consists primarily of excerpts from the work of quite a few major philosophers, so it's also a good opportunity to get acquainted with them.… (mehr)