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This excellent introduction to the essential issues that have preoccupied philosophers throughout the centuries provides fresh and engaging portraits of the greatest thinkers on three perennial questions:What can I know? What may I hope? What ought I to do? The author summarizes the thoughts ofPlato and Wittgenstein on the possibility of philosophical knowledge; Kant and Nietzsche on the existence of God; Aristotle and Heidegger on human virtue. The first member of the pair is a builder, the second a destroyer. One explores the promise of a theory, the other the consequences of its ruin. These juxtaposed pairs are not self-contained, however. All six thinkers are engaged in a dialogue with one another on issues that touch our lives directly and profoundly. The author has arranged them in an order that unveils an ever-deepening understanding of the moral, spiritual and intellectual space in which our lives unfold.For anyone wishing to discover, or rediscover, philosophy in its original meaning-"the love of wisdom"-this engaging, clearly written, and accessible volume is an excellent place to start.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Preface(p. 9)
• Acknowledgments(p. 17)
• Part 1 What Can I Know?(p. 19)
• Chapter 1 Plato and the Task of Philosophy(p. 23)
• Chapter 2 Wittgenstein and the End of Philosophy(p. 57)
• Part 2 What May I Hope?(p. 99)
• Chapter 3 Kant and the Leap of Faith(p. 103)
• Chapter 4 Nietzsche and the Death of God(p. 135)
• Part 3 What Ought I To Do(p. 165?)
• Chapter 5 Aristotle and Public Virtue(p. 169)
• Chapter 6 Heidegger and Authenticity(p. 203)
• Epilogue(p. 237)
• Suggestions for Further Reading(p. 245)
• Notes(p. 251)
• Index(p. 273)

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Library Journal Review

Kellogg, an attorney with a degree in philosophy from Oxford University, examines the relevance of Western philosophy in today's world by looking at what he sees as its three core questions: What can I know? What may I hope? What ought I to do? He examines each of these questions separately by comparing and contrasting, for each question, the theories of two different philosophers. For the first question, he uses Plato's theory of forms and contrasts it with Wittgenstein's theories on the limits of philosophy in establishing metaphysical truths. In the second section, he examines Kant's ethical views and his concept of God along with Nietzsche's replacement of universal ethics with personal values. The third section considers ethics through Aristotle's theories on virtue and Heidegger's philosophy on the nature of being. VERDICT Kellogg does a wonderful job of showing that Western philosophy's role may not be to find concrete truths, but rather to expand our knowledge of what it means to be human. Readers new to philosophy and those with a background in the subject will find this accessible book highly rewarding.-Scott Duimstra, Capital Area Dist. Lib., Lansing, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Michael Kellogg (Washington, DC), educated at Stanford and Oxford in philosophy and at Harvard Law School, is a founding and managing partner at Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel, P.L.L.C.