Philosophy: A Text with Readings
"The Velasquez text's three greatest "content" strengths are its inclusion of feminists', buddhists' and pragmatists' points of view in most chapters; its narrative about the topics, with important excerpts, rather than original works with important annotation; and its incorporation of difficult issues like "science" into many chapters, rather than in only one difficult one. The structural strength of the book includes its opening explanations in each chapter of how the philosophical issues of the chapter make a difference in the students' lives (although some are not quite pertinent or on the mark; e.g., in ethics); its breaking down of the chapters into small subsections which make the study of philosophy seem less daunting and which help focus the initial discussions; and the inviting and attractive graphic design of the book." Diane Wilkinson, Alabama A&M; University"I searched for months before selecting a permanent text for my Introduction to Philosophy course; I chose the Velasquez text and have never regretted it for a moment. No matter what topic comes up in the class, there is a section I can have students turn to in order to drive points home philosophically or take advantage of opportunities for teachable moments which broaden students' outlook on life."- Diane Wilkinson, Alabama A&M; University"The author's writing is clear and pitched at the appropriate level; indeed, I sympathize with the sort of challenge that anybody faces in trying to explain abstract topics in an intelligible way. Here the inclusion of the 'Philosophy at the Movies' referrals permits the making of points that connect with students." George Lujan, Mission College"In my own view, Velasquez provides an essential background against which to allow those of us who lecture using the text to offer examples that illuminate the points made in the text. References to common 'life experiences' such as, for example, seeing somebody whom we recognize at a far-off distance even before we can articulate the grounds that justify our claiming to know just who it is can help illuminate Kant's account of the way that intuitions and categories help structure experience but, as I noted earlier, Velasquez provides, in chapter 5, a framework within which to allow that sort of example to connect with the experiences of our students." George Lujan, Mission College"The book's strongest asset, in my view, is precisely the clarity and just the right level of complexity and clarity for the community college student. It's a great introduction to philosophy: interesting for the non-specialist, but rigorous enough for students to get the hang of Real Philosophy. ... I like the book--so much so that I have chosen it over and over again for years." Janice R. Daurio, Moorpark College