The Road Traveled and Other Essays

by Steven M. Cahn

Overview

The Road Traveled and Other Essays presents the recent work of philosopher and educator Steven M. Cahn. This book offers his latest reflections on the nature of well-being, the rationality of religious belief, and the aims of higher education. Also included are a selection of his challenging philosophical puzzles. The work concludes with a detailed account of his career as a faculty member, foundation executive, and university administrator.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532664526
Publisher:	Resource Publications
Publication date:	12/26/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	124
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Steven M. Cahn is professor emeritus of philosophy at the City University of New York Graduate Center, where he served for nearly a decade as provost and vice president for academic affairs, then as acting president.

He is the author or editor of more than sixty books. Most recently he wrote From Student to Scholar: A Candid Guide to Becoming a Professor; Religion Within Reason; Teaching Philosophy: A Guide; and Inside Academia: Professors, Politics, and Policies.

Steven M. Cahn is Professor of Philosophy at the Graduate Center of The City University of New York. Among the seven books he has authored are 'Fate, Logic, and Time; Saints and Scamps: Ethics in Academia, Revised Edition; and Puzzles&Perplexities: Collected Essays'. He has edited twenty-two books, including 'Classics of Western Philosophy, Sixth Edition; Classics of Political and Moral Philosophy; Classic and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Religion; Exploring Philosophy: An Introductory Anthology; The Affirmative Action Debate, Second Edition'; and 'Philosophy for the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Reader'.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Part I Well Being

1 Living Well 3

2 The Variety of Good Lives 15

3 Choosing the Experience Machine 17

Part II Religious Belief

4 The Theodicy Trap 27

5 Why Worship God? 32

6 Heaven 40

Part III Academic Life

7 Faculty Appointments 47

8 Academic Voting 51

9 The Ambiguities of Affirmative Action 53

Part IV Doctoral Education

10 Orientation 63

11 The Basics 67

12 The Hidden Curriculum 70

Part V Puzzles

13 The Affirmative Action Puzzle 75

14 The Bus Puzzle 77

15 The Altruism Puzzle 79

Part VI Reminiscences

16 The Road Traveled 83

Bibliography 103

About the Author 105

Index 107

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Professor Cahn’s mastery of the art of philosophical writing shines on every page of this superb volume. Its capstone is an autobiographical essay charting his fascinating academic and professional journey.”

—Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University



“These essays are clear and concise gems. They are always straightforward, controversial, and convincing.”

—Alan H. Goldman, College of William and Mary



"Steven M. Cahn, for fifty years a force in philosophy and higher education, offers these wise reflections on happiness, academic life, belief in God, the politics of hiring in departments, affirmative action, and the path of his own career. A thoroughly enjoyable read by a professor who has been at the center of many important, contemporary controversies and who helped shape some of the key events."

—Gregory Pence, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Editorial Reviews

Professor Cahn’s mastery of the art of philosophical writing shines on every page of this superb volume. Its capstone is an autobiographical essay charting his fascinating academic and professional journey.”

—Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University



“These essays are clear and concise gems. They are always straightforward, controversial, and convincing.”

—Alan H. Goldman, College of William and Mary



"Steven M. Cahn, for fifty years a force in philosophy and higher education, offers these wise reflections on happiness, academic life, belief in God, the politics of hiring in departments, affirmative action, and the path of his own career. A thoroughly enjoyable read by a professor who has been at the center of many important, contemporary controversies and who helped shape some of the key events."

—Gregory Pence, University of Alabama at Birmingham

From the Publisher