2025F PHI-102-300: Introduction to Philosophy

Textual Essay - Major elective - Must be submitted on time - Start this reading early in the course!

Assignment instructions

One Textual Essay elective assignment is available to all students. Each student may read one of these texts:

Wittenstein’s Poker by David Edmonds & John Eidinow, ISBN: 978-0066212449; Rousseau’s Dog, by David Edmonds & John Eidinow, iSBN: 978-0-06-074491-5;

 The Courtier and the Heretic, by Matthew Stewart, ISBN: 978-0-393-32917-9; Straw Dogs, by John Gray, ISBN: 978-1-86207-596-4;

The Metaphysical Club; by Louis Menand, ISBN: 978-0-374-52849-7;

Descartes’ Bones, by Russell Shorto, ISBN: 780307275660;

America the Philosophical by Carlin Romano, ISBN: 9780679434702;

The Art of Living by Alexander Nehamas,   ISBN:   9780520224906;

What   is   Ancient   Philosophy?, by   Pierre   Hadot, ISBN: 9780674013435;

The Monk and the Philosopher, by Jean-Francois Revel & Matthieu Ricard, ISBN: 9780805211030;

The Shrink and the Sage, by Baggini & Macaro, ISBN: 9781848313774,

Wisdom: From Philosophy to Neuroscience, by Stephern S. Hall, ISBN: 97880307389688

Write up a detailed synopsis of the philosophical issues raised in the book, then critique the main or an important thesis in the text This is not a book report! Analysis and argumentation relating the book’s content to material and topics studied in this class, not mere description, including at least 3 quotes from regular assigned other readings in this course as well as 3 quotes that directly relate to philosophical topics studied in this course for a minimum full 6 pages per syllabus paper writing guidelines.

Students are responsible for finding their own access to any of these texts, but may arrange to visit my in person office hours to glance at my copies.

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