The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy

by Norman Melchert

Now in its fifth edition, this historically organized introductory text treats philosophy as a dramatic and continuous story--a conversation about humankind's deepest and most persistent concerns. Tracing the exchange of ideas between history's key philosophers, The Great A
Historical Introduction to Philosophy , Fifth Edition, demonstrates that while constructing an argument or making a claim, one philosopher almost always has others in mind. The book addresses the fundamental questions of human Who are we? What can we know? How should we live? and What sort of
reality do we inhabit?
The fifth edition retains the distinctive feature of previous author Norman Melchert provides a generous selection of excerpts from major philosophical works and makes them more easily understandable to students with his lucid and engaging explanations. Ranging from the Pre-Socratics
to Derrida and Quine, the selections are organized historically and include four complete Plato's Euthyphro , Apology , and Crito , and Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy . The author's commentary offers a rich intellectual and cultural context for the philosophical ideas conveyed in the
excerpts. Extensive cross-referencing shows students how philosophers respond appreciatively or critically to the thoughts of other philosophers. The text is enhanced by two types of exercises--"Basic Questions" and "For Further Thought"--and more than sixty illustrations.

New to the Fifth

* A new chapter (25) on Simone de Beauvoir and her contributions to philosophy
* New material on Buddhist, Muslim, and Jewish thinkers, including profiles of the Buddha, Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Averroës (Ibn Rushd), and Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon)
* A new profile of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
* Improved translations of several of Plato's works, including Protagoras , Gorgias , Phaedo , Symposium , Meno , and the Republic
* Review questions that are now dispersed throughout the chapters (instead of at chapter ends) to follow relevant passages and facilitate classroom discussion
* Thirteen new images, including seven explanatory cartoons that help students understand key concepts
* A revised Instructor's Manual and Test Bank--available both on CD and in a printed version--containing essential points, teaching suggestions, and multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay exam questions

The Great Conversation , Fifth Edition, is also available in two paperback volumes to suit your course needs. Volume Pre-Socratics through Descartes includes chapters 1-13 of the combined volume, while Volume Descartes through Derrida and Quine includes chapters 12-26.

Genres: Philosophy, History, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Reference, Self Help

783 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Norman Paul Melchert

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you re-read rather than read so I can't say I've studied every page the way you might if this were the textbook of a year-long philosophy class. But I find myself coming back regularly to read sections about specific philosophers and ideas, which are explained better here than just about anywhere else.

Deserves the LessWrong recommendation for best philosophy textbook.

[Corey Wozniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOM!

6 months of attentive reading. Highly rewarding!

I'm happy to report I now know everything there is to know.

[Kiki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best survey of philosophy. Great as an on hand reference, or just to refresh your memory. Had Norman at Lehigh for two semesters of philosophy and he was just so energetic and happy. Hard to believe he was a philosopher, or shouldn't it be?

[ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best philosophy textbook I've read thus far. Melchert structures GC so that reading through all these different philosophers feels less like reading a summary of their works and more like a great debate spanning centuries. Metaphysical and epistemological questions such as "How do we learn things? How do we know things? How can we be certain we know things" are contextually built over time through these different philosophers. Philosophy is best understood, interpreted and analyzed through dialogues, conversations.

[Ci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction textbook for me. It gives vivid examples to illustrate key philosophic issues, particularly useful when the author breaks down key texts with explanations to assist understanding. I have given it a first pass during the last two months, but I must admit that I have not been able to digest many ideas fully. I am taking the next few months to read the original texts of key philosophers, then return again and again to this book. -- April 2015

[Jessi Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for my Philosophy class. It's very basic and gives you a summary of each great philosopher which is helpful for beginners. I liked how I could read a chapter about one philosopher and if I liked them, I would be able to buy more books about their thinking. I didn't have the 31st chapter so I wasn't able to read about Young and Nozick. Anyways, this book was extremely helpful to better understand the history of philosophy.

[Grace R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a class. I definitely did have a lot of good information and if you take notes while reading it, it is fairly understandable. I will say that I definitely fell asleep several times though.....philosophy just is not my favorite thing.

[Mariana Penaloza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I did learn a lot, but damn taking a six week course just to fill the gen Ed requirements was a headache

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read an earlier incarnation of this book that came in two volumes. It seemed to be aimed at people who just don't "get" philosophy. It was very frustrating.

[Michael Dobbie]

i like the title, would like to check it out

[Rock Angel]

link+ b4 purchase!

[Zachary Ransom · Rating 4 out of 5]

USM, B.S. in Psychology, Introduction to Philosophy class

[Alexander Asay · Rating 3 out of 5]

BYUI: Ancient Philosophy
BYUI: Modern Philosophy