The Examined Life: Readings from Western Philosophers from Plato to Kant

This book presents a solid collection of 35 excerpts from important Western philosophers ranging from as early as Plato to as modern as Feyerabend. However, it is not where the value of this book lies. The contribution of the book is that the editor categorized those maginificent works into six disciplines, and arranged an introductory essay in front of each section. All the essays are well-written and provide the reader with an examination of the importance of and the relationship between each work. They are really the compass in the labyrinth of Western philosophy. A small flaw of the book is that the editor failed to add the years of the birth and death of each philosopher. But this is not a very serious problem to a good book.

This cogent compendium of well-chosen readings can be read by the novice or the scholar, useful as it is for reflection and cogitation. The readings are handily arranged into six major sections: social and political philosophy, philosophy of religion; philosophy of art and culture; metaphysics; epistemology;and philosophy of science. Each section has a brief introduction; and in a few cases, a summary essay. Excerpts from selected works of various philosophers--classic and otherwise--give a well-rounded fullness to the major topics and concepts being examined. A bibiliography of primary source material and a full index enhance retrievability options. This will surely stimulate even the most inert of minds.

This cogent compendium of well-chosen readings can be read by the novice or the scholar, useful as it is for reflection and cogitation. The readings are handily arranged into six major sections: social and political philosophy, philosophy of religion; philosophy of art and culture; metaphysics; epistemology;and philosophy of science. Each section has a brief introduction; and in a few cases, a summary essay. Excerpts from selected works of various philosophers--classic and otherwise--give a well-rounded fullness to the major topics and concepts being examined. A bibiliography of primary source material and a full index enhance retrievability options. This will surely stimulate even the most inert of minds.

It has been said that the unexamined life is not worth living, with this said it is crucial that as much evidence as possible be gathered to enable a person to possess a more holistic view of life and of values. The book The Examined Life provides a through introduction to many facets of philosophy, both classical and modern, and provides ample information for the individual reader to begin examiming his own life and the state of his soul. From Plato's scathing and revolutionary thoughts on democracy and its pitfalls, to Kant's pursuit of wisdom and reason, this book offers thoughts and ideals still relevant in today's society.