Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction: Fictive Narrative, Primary Texts, and Responsive Writing

This new book features a unique, engaging approach to introduce students to philosophy. It combines traditional readings and exercises with fictive narratives starring central figures in the history of the field from Plato to Martin Luther King, Jr. The book makes innovative use of compelling short stories from two writers who have prominently combined philosophy and fiction in their work. These narratives illuminate pivotal aspects of the carefully selected classic readings that follow. This gives students two ways to understand the philosophical positions: through indirect argument in fiction and through direct, deductive presentations. Study questions and writing exercises accompany each set of readings and help students grasp the material and create their own arguments. CONTENTS Preface Glossary Part 1: Direct and Indirect Discourse in Philosophy 1. Direct and Indirect Discourse in Philosophy Reading and Discussion Questions 2. How Can I Respond to Claims Using Direct Logical Discourse? Reading and Discussion Questions 3. How Can I Respond to Claims Using Indirect Fictive Narrative Discourse? Reading and Discussion Questions Part 2: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy 4. Plato Short Story: “The Cynic,” Charles Johnson Reading and Discussion Questions Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback Primary Text: Plato, “The Myth of the Charioteer” Reading and Discussion Questions Class Exercises Primary Text: Plato, Crito Reading and Discussion Questions Class Exercises 5. Aristotle Short Story: “Aristotle the Outsider,” Michael Boylan Reading and Discussion Questions Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback Primary Text: Aristotle, “The Nature of Mind” Reading and Discussion Questions Class Exercises 6. Buddha Short Story: “Prince of the Ascetics,” Charles Johnson Reading and Discussion Questions Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback Primary Text: “From the Dhmmapada” Reading and Discussion Questions Class Exercises 7. Aquinas Short Story: “The Murder of Thomas Aquinas,” Michael Boylan Reading and Discussion Questions Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback Primary Text: Thomas Aquinas, “On the Natural Law” Reading and Discussion Questions Class Exercises MIDTERM PROJECT Part 3: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy 8. Descartes Short Story: “The Queen and the Philosopher,” Charles Johnson Reading and Discussion Questions Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback Primary Text: Ren? Descartes, “Finding a Foundation for Knowledge” Reading and Discussion Questions Class Exercises 9. Kant Short Story: “Kant Awakened,” Michael Boylan Reading and Discussion Questions Fictive-Narrative Philosophy Feedback Primary Text: Gottfried Leibniz, “On Geometrical Method and the Method of Metaphysics” Reading and Discussion Questions Class Exercises

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