Wonder and Critical Reflection An Invitation to Philosophy

These are the kinds of questions perplexed students often ask when first encountering philosophy as an academic discipline, and these are the kinds of questions this text takes seriously and attempts to answer. Designed to be a first encounter with philosophy, this text includes: Dialogues that provoke and engage students in philosophical thinking. Discussions that clarify and explain issues and introduce the "discipline" of philosophy. Inquiries pursued with seriousness and a sense of humor. Brief introductions to a variety of thinkers from Socrates and Diogenes the Cynic to Iris Murdoch and Suzi Gablik. Philosophical theorizing about human freedom, the nature of the self, the ends and means of education, the way language shapes thinking, why we often think in cliches and stereotypes, etc. Questions at the end of each chapter designed to encourage students in critical reflection and writing.Christenson, Tom D. is the author of 'Wonder and Critical Reflection An Invitation to Philosophy', published 2000 under ISBN 9780130400413 and ISBN 0130400416.