Philosophy: The Basics PDF
Preview Philosophy: The Basics
PHILOSOPHY THE BASICS ‘Philosophy: The Basics deservedly remains the most recommended introduction to philosophy on the market. Warburton is patient, accurate and, above all, clear. There is no better short introduction to philosophy.’ Stephen Law, Heythrop College, University of London ‘Introductory philosophy can be a lot like learning to ride a bike: intriguing but laced with bumps, bruises, and frustrations. Warburton retains the intrigue but softens the bumps, bruises, and frustrations. And students have a unique opportunity to learn how to ride!’ Paul K. Moser, Loyola University of Chicago ‘Simply and lucidly, does exactly what it says on the cover. An excellent way into the basics of philosophy, this book doesn’t just instruct but tries to set the reader thinking as well.’ Edward Craig, University of Cambridge ‘Nigel Warburton offers an excellent guide to the practice of philosophical think- ing aimed squarely at the newcomer.’ Dave Leal, University of Oxford ‘After ten years and three previous editions, this is still the best book of its kind.’ Don Cupitt, University of Cambridge ‘The book is beautifully written, admirably clear without being at all solemn, pretentious or patronising.’ D.H. Mellor, University of Cambridge ‘It is hard to imagine an introduction to philosophy which, in equally compact form, would cover the basic issues of philosophy with greater clarity, fairness, and relative thoroughness.’ Ronald E. Santoni, Denison University Nigel Warburton is Senior Lecturer at the Open University. He is editor of Philosophy: Basic Readings, second edition, co-author of Reading Political Philosophy and author of Philosophy: The Classics, second edition, Thinking from A-Z, second edition, Freedom: An Introduction with Readings, The Art Question, Ernö Goldfinger: the Life of an Architect and Philosophy: the Essential Study Guide. You may also be interested in the following Routledge titles: Philosophy: The Classics, second edition Nigel Warburton Thinking from A to Z, second edition Nigel Warburton Freedom: An Introduction with Readings Nigel Warburton Philosophy: the Essential Study Guide Nigel Warburton Philosophy: Basic Readings, second edition Edited by Nigel Warburton Paradoxes from A to Z Michael Clark Critical Reasoning: A Practical Introduction, second edition Anne Thomson A Short History of Modern Philosophy Roger Scruton The Concise Encyclopedia of Western Philosophy and Philosophers, second edition Edited by J. O. Urmson and Jonathan Rée PHILOSOPHY THE BASICS Fourth edition Nigel Warburton First edition published 1992 Reprinted 1992, 1993, 1994 Second edition published 1995 Reprinted 1996, 1998 Third edition published 1999 Reprinted 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Fourth edition published 2004 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2004. © 1992, 1995, 1999, 2004 Nig el Warburton All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN 0-203-50641-3 Master e-book ISBN ISBN 0-203-57444-3 (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0–415–32772–5 (hbk) ISBN 0–415–32773–3 (pbk) FOR MY MOTHER CONTENTS Preface xiii Introduction 1 Philosophy and its history 2 Why study philosophy? 3 Is philosophy difficult? 5 The limits of what philosophy can do 6 How to use this book 6 Further reading 7 Internet resources 9 1 God 11 The Design Argument 12 Criticisms of the Design Argument 13 Fine Tuning 15 Criticism of Fine Tuning 16 The First Cause Argument 16 Criticisms of the First Cause Argument 17 The Ontological Argument 18 Criticisms of the Ontological Argument 19 Knowledge, proof and the existence of God 20 The Problem of Evil 21 Attempted solutions to the Problem of Evil 22 The Free Will Defence 24 Criticisms of the Free Will Defence 24 viii Contents The argument from miracles 27 Hume on miracles 27 The Gambler’s Argument: Pascal’s Wager 30 Criticisms of the Gambler’s Argument 31 Non-realism about God 32 Criticisms of non-realism about God 33 Faith 33 Death 35 Criticism of Epicurus 36 Would immortality be tedious? 36 Criticism of the tedium of immortality 36 Conclusion 37 Further reading 37 2 Right and wrong 39 Duty-based theories 40 Christian ethics 40 Criticisms of Christian ethics 41 Kantian ethics 42 Criticisms of Kantian ethics 46 Consequentialism 48 Utilitarianism 48 Criticisms of utilitarianism 49 Negative utilitarianism 52 Criticism of negative utilitarianism 53 Rule utilitarianis m 53 Virtue theory 54 Criticisms of virtue theory 55 Applied ethics 56 Ethics and meta-ethics 59 Naturalism 59 Criticisms of naturalism 60 Moral relativism 62 Criticisms of moral relativism 62 Emotivism 63 Criticisms of emotivism 64 Conclusion 65 Further reading 66 Contents ix 3 Politics 67 Equality 67 Equal distribution of money 69 Criticisms of equal distribution of money 69 Equal opportunity in employment 71 Reverse discrimination 72 Criticisms of reverse discrimination 73 Political equality: democracy 74 Direct democracy 74 Representative democracy 75 Criticisms of democracy 75 Freedom 77 Negative freedom 77 Criticisms of negative freedom 78 Positive freedom 79 Freedom of speech 80 Criticisms of Mill on free speech 81 Removing freedom: punishment 82 Punishment as retribution 82 Criticisms of retributivism 83 Deterrence 83 Criticisms of deterrence 84 Protection of society 84 Criticisms of protection of society 85 Reform 85 Criticisms of reform 86 Civil disobedience 86 Criticisms of civil disobedience 88 Conclusion 90 Further reading 90 4 The external world 92 Common-sense realism 92 Scepticism about the evidence of the senses 93 The Illusion Argument 93 Criticisms of the Illusion Argument 94 Could I be dreaming? 95 Hallucination 96 Memory and logic 98
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