Product Description

The first textbook available for A2 Level Philosophy students, and the sister companion to the immensely successful AS text, this text has been written in an engaging and accessible style and covers the AQA A2 Level specification precisely.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #273524 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 464 pages

Customer Reviews

Solid textbook. No real complaints.
One of the best books you will be able to find for the A2 AQA specification. The authors explain things well, knowing they are writing mainly for students and manage to neither patronise nor surpass the 17 year-old's academic understadning. I used mainly the Political Philosophy section and, although perhaps some extra detaill would have been nice, I generally found it extremely useful. Having read some more of the book in my spare time, I found the Philosophy of Science section to be especially well-written and explained, esepcially as some of the theories are quite complex.

I did find, however, that the section on Mill's 'On Liberty' was not as good as it could;ve been. It was organised slightly erraticly and, as a result, a clear idea of Mill's arguments was somewhat lost. Having said that, when you look at the rest of the book it seems that the Mill chapter was most definitely the odd one out. The other chapters on set texts seem much more detailed and logical, so do not be put off at all.

The only real pity is that you will not use the book as much as you think, as you will take only two of the units of the seven inside. However this is clearly not an actual criticsm of the book as the sections you will use are covered very well. And in any case, the other sections constitue a good read if like the subject or want to take it to degree level like I do. There is no coverage of technique for the synoptic essay which consititues the last unit, but prescribing what is 'good' and what is 'bad' in that are would've been frought with difficulties so that is expected.

Although there were a few negatives mentioned, overall this is a solid textbook well worth picking up as it will unndoubedtly help you.

As a Philosophy A-level student...
I'm not keen on this book at all. I'm only commenting on the bits that apply to me (i.e. the Philosophy of Mind section) but I am seriously unconvinced of the author's ability to present arguments clearly and easily.

I don't think it explains most things well enough, and it leaves you reading the same passage again and again, trying to make sense of it. The AS textbook was far better written than this one. I'm an A-level Philosophy student, and I don't like using this book, despite it being the main textbook I have on the subject. Though the author might know his stuff, in a textbook the most important thing is to make sure your reader knows exactly what you mean, and in this respect, the book for me fails spectacularly.

Serves Its Function
The syllabus is dead, long live the syllabus: it expires of natural causes this year but this book may remain as its faithful servant when it is enthroned in its new persona. Mill, Hume and Nietzsche are still relevant as are philosophy of mind and political philosophy. It is likely that I will still refer to this text as a basis for teaching, since it is worthy if not inspirational.
Maslin has a good shot at philosophy of mind though his style is dry and he squeezes little enjoyment from the subject, unlike, for instance, Susan Blackmore's 'Consciousness: An Introduction' which covers some similar issues in a lively manner with engaging illustrations. Still, it lays out the territory to good effect.
The sections on Nietzsche and Hume are similarly effective though again they are staple diet as opposed to three courses with trimmings. The latter can be supplemented with Bailey and O'Brien's 'Reader's Guide'. It is better, for example on the force and vivacity of impressions though the less robust reader may feel this to be a surfeit.
In short, I will not be recycling copies of this yet and would still recommend it as a basis for study for any of the above. It has served its function as Aristotle would probably have put it.