The Philosophy Gym: 25 Short Adventures in Thinking

by Stephen Law

Overview

From Descartes to designer babies, The Philosophy Gym poses questions about some of history's most important philosophical issues, ranging in difficulty from pretty easy to very challenging. He brings new perspectives to age-old conundrums while also tackling modern-day dilemmas — some for the first time. Begin your warm up by contemplating whether a pickled sheep can truly be considered art, or dive right in and tackle the existence of God. In this radically new way of looking at philosophy, Stephen Law illustrates the problem with a story, then lets the argument battle it out in clear, easily digestible and intelligent prose. This perfect little mental health club is sure to give each reader's mind a great workout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312314521
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	12/16/2003
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

Stephen Law is a lecturer in philosophy at the University of London, was formerly Research Fellow in Philosophy at Queen's College, Oxford and received his doctoral degree in philosophy from the University of Oxford. He is the author of The Philosophy Gym and Really, Really Big Questions.

Table of Contents

1. Where Did the Universe Come From?

2. What's Wrong with Gay Sex?

3. Brain-Snatched

4. Is Time Travel Possible?

5. Into the Lair of the Relavist

6. Could a Machine Think?

7. Does God Exist?

8. The Strange Case of the Rational Dentist

9. But Is It Art?

10. Can We Have Morality without God and Religion?

11. Is Creationism Scientific?

12. Designer Babies

13. The Consciousness Conundrum

14. Why Expect the Sun to Rise Tomorrow?

15. Do We Ever Deserve to Be Punished?

16. The Meaning Mystery

17. Killing Mary to Save Jodie

18. The Strange Realm of Numbers

19. What Is Knowledge?

20. Is Morality Like a Pair of Spectacles?

21. Should You Be Eating That?

22. Brain Transplants, "Teleportation," and the Puzzle of Personal Identity

23. Miracles and the Supernatural

24. How to Spot Eight Everyday Reasoning Errors

25. Seven Paradoxes

Editorial Reviews

A vivid, enlightening introduction to clear thinking.” —Philip Pullman, author of the His Dark Materials trilogy

From the Publisher