Product Description

In this lucid and accessible book, Thomas Nagel explores the central questions of philosophy thoughtfully, clearly, and with humour. He demonstrates that philosophy is an indispensable key to understanding our lives, and far from being an arcane academic discipline, can be enjoyed by all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #283495 in Books
• Published on: 1987-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

About the Author
Thomas Nagel is Professor of Philosophy at The New York University, and author of The View from Nowhere (OUP, 1986)

Customer Reviews

The Definitive Introduction to Being a Philosopher
I came across this book while revising for my Philosophy Finals at Oxford and wished I'd known about it 3 years earlier!

Nagel tackles nine major philosophical issues using a succint, accurate and accessible style. His discussions inevitably dovetail towards his understanding of the problem under consideration (which prompts his solution) but this is due to the very essence of philosophical discourse - to define and outline the problem accurately is often more contentious than analysing or 'solving' it! Nagel lays open these major philosophical problems with great skill. A newcomer to philosophy may well find the question 'What can we know?' ridiculous but after reading Nagel's chapter (which, as he says, is suitable for the intelligent high school pupil upwards) on the subject he should begin to appreciate the grave difficulties posed by such a query.

The best thing about this book is that, unlike many other introductions to the subject, it is a book written by one of the most respected philosopher's of our time and its text consists of philosophising in its own right - it does not just give a potted history of Western philosophy as the majority do, yet it remains easily accessible and comprehendible. (Both types of text are useful but I have come across few books with this focus.)

This book is ideal for anyone, from A level student upwards, who wants to know a bit more about philosophy and is an excellent preparation and companion for anyone about to begin studying the subject. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

An absorbing and interesting read
I have tried a number of books on philosophy which are suppose to "ease" the reader into philosophy but of all the books i`v read this is the most easy to use. I find myself going back to it again,and again. The author seem to genuinly want you to find philosophy interesting, and, it works ! I cant reccommend this book enought , the only down side is that the author leads you to his conclusions , but for someone like me, who is just starting out in philosophy this book is a godsent, and one i will return to again , and again .

A rare thing indeed - a philosoph book that's easy-going
Its not often that you can find an "Introduction to Philosophy" that isn't a) dull as dishwater or b) impossibly crpytic or c) both.

This book doesn't try to tackle all of the fundamentals of philsophy but merely takes a look at a few issues, studies them and gives a little insight into the kind of logic abnd reasoning behind philosophical argument.

If your thinking about "getting into" philosophy - at whatever level - this book is certainly worth a look.