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The Big Questions of Philosophy

Written by: David K. Johnson, The Great Courses
Narrated by: David K. Johnson
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Publisher's Summary

We have all pondered seemingly unanswerably but significant questions about our existence - the biggest of all being, "Why are we here?" Philosophy has developed over millennia to help us grapple with these essential intangibles. There is no better way to study the big questions in philosophy than to compare how the world's greatest minds have analyzed these questions, defined the terms, and then reasoned out potential solutions. Once you've compared the arguments, the final step is always deciding for yourself whether you find an explanation convincing.

This course gives you the tools to follow and create logical arguments while exploring famous philosophers' viewpoints on these important questions. Although progress has been made toward answers, brilliant thinkers have continued to wrestle with many big questions that inspire thoughtful people everywhere. These questions include: What is knowledge? Does God exist? Do humans have free will? What is right and wrong? How should society be organized?

Given the complexity of these big questions, it should be no surprise that many controversies are far from settled. In fact, by the end of these 36 lectures, you may be even less sure of the right answers to some of the questions than you were at the beginning. But being a philosopher means constantly testing your views - giving a reasoned defense if you believe you are right and modifying your ideas when you realize you are wrong. You'll discover that great thinkers before you have offered convincing answers to hard questions, philosophers after them have made equally persuasive objections, and then still others have refined the debate even further - causing the issues to come into sharper and sharper focus.

Join Plato, St. Anselm, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant, Mill, Smith, Marx, Rawls, and many others in an exploration of fundamental questions. Get ready to think big!

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC
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Outstanding, Revelatory & Necessary!

Learned better what I had taken for granted as perceived truths. Informative, educational and humbling. Thank you Mr. Johnson!

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A must read for anyone that is curious about everything

Philosophy is the mother of all sciences and in this book you will be taken through a journey of questions and possible answers that are fundamental to our existence! I loved it and recommend it to anyone interested in expanding your mind

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David K. Johnson does not disappoint!

I have bought and listened to both of his Great Courses lectures and he does not disappoint. I highly recommend!

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Excellent!

Really enjoyable lecture series, good variety of topics presented in a logical and easily understood way. Well worth the money!

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