Philosophy: A Student's Guide

Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition

by David K. Naugle, David S. Dockery (Series Editor)

Philosophy pervades every sphere of life from the defense of the gospel to the formulation of Christian doctrine to the daily decisions we make. In this work, distinguished professor David Naugle gives us a firm understanding of the basic issues, thinkers, and sub-disciplines in the field of philosophy as well as an invitation to engage with the contemporary challenges therein. He discusses the importance of prolegomena (assumptions and methods) and the vocation of Christian philosophers. Naugle also outlines the differences between the Hebrew and Greek mindsets and provides biblical perspectives through an Augustinian approach. Above all, Naugle teaches us how to philosophize in light of God and the gospel.

Genres: Philosophy

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2012

Reviews

[David Bruyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview of Christian philosophy from an Augustinian point of view.

[Morris Nelms · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some profound things here, and some unintentional funny moments. "Very often, and this is a very important point, philosophers philosophize unprolegomenously." Ouch! I read that one aloud to my wife while she was driving and she almost had to pull over. I read it a few times to make sure I'd actually read what I thought I had. Naugle has given us one for the ages.
First and last parts of the book are the best, with some excellent things in the middle. The author's term for a Christian or biblical worldview (how those would differ isn't explained) is Canonical Trinitarian Theism (CTT). Yet the free will/determinist debate isn't addressed here. Calvin and Wesley both espouse CTT, yet they are miles apart on free will. Currently, deterministic physicalism is asserting that we have no free will based on some compelling and fascinating studies of brain wave patterns during the process of decision making. The author doesn't weigh in on this one. Christian mysticism isn't discussed much either.
I came away from this book thinking about missed opportunities as much as the content of the book itself, hence the low rating. It is worth reading, but I'm not sure it's the indispensable guide to philosophy for Christian college freshmen that it wants to be. Still, I praise the author for wading into a task that has to be enormously intimidating.
I'd suggest G. K. Chesterton's Introduction to the Book of Job and/or Orthodoxy as better starting points. Once you get how Chesterton sees the world, sifting through the terminology of contemporary philosophy becomes less important. Some will say those are old works, written in a less accessible style. See the first paragraph of my review for my response.

[Anderson Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

O objetivo da obra é expor a filosofia cristã à luz da pressuposição agostiniana "creio para compreender".
No capítulo um, prolegômenos, Naugle explica que o conceito de prolegômenos significa a apresentação das premissas fundamentais de uma filosofia. Em uma filosofia cristã, é preciso assumir que todos os seres humanos são religiosos e que a filosofia cristã deve ser derivada do teísmo trinitário canônico. Características de uma filosofia cristã: distinção criador e criatura, a graça restaura a natureza, a distinção estrutura e direção, graça comum, a fé como parte da natureza humana.
No capítulo dois, sobre metafísica, Naugle explica que em uma filosofia cristã Deus é triúno e criou uma realidade objetiva na qual pode intervir.
No capítulo três, antropologia, o ser humano é imagem e semelhança de Deus, foi criado para adorar e deve exercer o mandato cultural. Cristo é o homem perfeito. O ser humano tem dignidade inata dada pelo próprio Deus.
No capítulo quatro, sobre epistemologia, Deus garante a validade do conhecimento. É possível ter acesso ao conhecimento de Deus pelos livros da natureza e da revelação. O conhecimento humano passa pela reordenação dos amores.
No capítulo cinco, da ética, todos temos uma lei natural inata que indica comandos gerais éticos. A revelação amplia e especifica comandos éticos. A ética demanda narrativa. A ética cristã é apodítica (certa e determinada), salvo casos excepcionais.
No capítulo sobre estética, o autor entende que Deus é o parâmetro do Belo. O ser humano pode discernir intuitivamente a beleza. Deus nos deu o senso do belo. Em Cristo, a beleza da criação é restaurada.
No último capítulo, Naugle diz que filósofos cristãos devem ter Cristo como exemplo da busca da verdade e da sabedoria. Cristo é Senhor da filosofia.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to read one of the better entries in this series. Naugle takes a slightly different approach. Instead of discussing the history of his discipline, and how Christians have been involved in said discipline over the years, he discusses several main areas of thought (ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics, epistemology, etc.) in broad terms and then shows how biblically orthodox thinking should have an impact on each field. He plays his own cards pretty close to his chest; instead of he outlines broad avenues of exploration and invites the reader to pursue his or her own thoughts. This approach works quite well with a topic such as philosophy (not sure how it would work for biology or music, for instance). It also whetted my attitude for Naugle's other writings, because it is clear that he is a serious and highly competent philosophy who is unafraid to bring Scripture to bear on all of the important topics.

[Christian Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many Christians the subject of philosophy can be a daunting subject to dive into. This short book is a great introduction the “love of wisdom.” This book doesn’t go vastly deep into the philosophical world, but is enough of a primer to show give a non-philosophy student a desire to study the subject more. The end of the book is a call for how Christians are to do philosophy, which means coming into every situation with a conviction to do philosophy with the Lordship of Christ in mind. He also concludes with the warning of studying philosophy that Plato gives. I would encourage this book a primer for all ages who want to begin dipping their toes into philosophical thought.

[Matthew Cliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studying philosophy can be an exciting task however it can also be a dangerous one. It is critical that a person acknowledges that philosophical conclusions can often result in ethical convictions - whether they be ‘good’ or ‘bad’. I believe the greatest contribution of this book is the honesty in which Naugle deals with this aspect in particular. All the while continuing to encourage Christians to engage with philosophical concepts. The book is well written, clear and precise.

[Ahn, Hang San · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very thoughtful & helpful for those who start studying philosophy like me.

David Naugle very honestly talks about the nuts and bolts of philosophy. I was stunned from the beginning to the end.

[Harlindo de Souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ótima introdução ao estudo filosófico de uma perspectiva cristã. Aplica muito bem o conceito de cosmovisão ao trabalho de filósofos crentes em Cristo. Um livro muito bom principalmente para estudantes e pessoas que querem começar a navegar nas águas do estudo da filosofia.

[Felipe Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente livro que busca direcionar nossa cosmovisão nos diversos conceitos de filosofia, desde metafísica até artes

[Jeremy]

Positive review by David Lyle Jeffrey.

[Sabriny Sueley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incrível como autor conectou os temas filosóficos dos capítulos com a doutrina da encarnação de Cristo. Livro maravilhoso!

[Gabriela Lacerda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como o Teísmo Trinitário Canônico impacta a antropologia, epistemologia, metafísica, ética e estética.
A relação entre filosofia comum e filosofia cristã (e seus prolegômenos).
Livro maravilhoso! O autor discute exatamente o que se propõe a discutir.
Leitura quase indispensável para cristãos que desejam fundamentar sua cosmovisão cristã.

[Adam Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review: Philosophy: A Student's Guide by David Naugle - short introduction to Christian Philosophy, marred by organizational issues, but still useful. In a short 130 pages, Naugle walks through 'the question ‘in light of canonical Trinitarian Theism, how do we approach…’. There is a chapter on Metaphysics, Anthropology, Ethics, Epistemology and Aesthetics. These chapters were fairly helpful at looking at a particular way to approach Philosophy as a Christian. The problem is that the book opens with three different introductions. And together these are just over a quarter of the total length of the book. The content of the introductions, especially the critical introduction (the Prolegomena), is useful, but technical. So it seems odd that in a book designed to be an introduction, you would start with some of the more technical and less immediately introductory material.

The problem is that this is an introduction to Christian Philosophy, not a Christian introduction to Philosophy. So I think the book is also mistitled.

click through for the full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/philosophy/

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Christian primer and introduction to the subject of philosophy. In most of the book, Naugle provides concise chapters dividing philosophy into several major divisions. This is helpful, especially given the Christian emphasis upon how each subject should be addressed.

But I think the real value of this book is the first and last chapters. In the first chapter (Prolegomena) Naugle lays out explicit expectations and controlling guidelines that he argues should guide Christian philosophy. In the last chapter (The Vocation of Christian Philosophers) Naugle gives reminders that should help Christian philosophers orient their task in an explicit Christ-centered and faith reliant way. Many of the things Naugle says in these chapters are "no-brainers." But Naugle clarifies emphases that are too often forgotten or downplayed. As a Christian already in the field, Naugle also inspires one towards the task of philosophy.

Very good book, highly recommend.

[Philip Worrall · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, Naugle offers a guide to Philosophy from a Christian perspective. Yet, for Naugle, this Christian perspective entails a canonical Trinitarian theism, i.e, that Christians are those who are concerned with the story of God found in the person and work of Jesus Christ within Scripture. As an on-ramp for students, Naugle deals with a slew of topics that are within philosophy. Treated sometime poorly and water downed, Naugle offers a decent reader, without giving anyone something to truly wrestle with philosophy and Christianity. Naugle is clearly Augustinian in his maxim for why Christian philosophy should be done. For him, Christian philosophy is “faith seeking understanding.” Therefore, this book isn’t helpful for guiding non-Christian readers into the sense of seriousness and rationale for why Christians should pursue philosophy.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

What role does Christianity have in philosophy? Naugle argues that the implications of Christian beliefs on philosophy are tremendous and begins to unpack the way that Christ affects areas such as ethics, metaphysics, anthropology, and more. Unfortunately, he only provides the briefest of overviews in these areas. Like many of the other volumes in this series, touching so fleetingly on a broad scope of issues often fails to captivate the broader audience that was likely intended.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an introduction to philosophy but more of briefly sketching a Christian framework for how one goes about doing Christian philosophy.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro and summary, though it is definitely geared toward a beginning college level.

[David Haines · Rating 2 out of 5]

See my review of this book on my blog: http://philosopherdhaines.blogspot.ca...

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

liked it.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to hand to a Christian who loves philosophy. It helps the reader understand certain biblical categories that are necessary but also shows that you can appreciate philosophy the same time. Philosophy is like a sword, it can be used for protection or for destruction. This book helps the Christian philosopher honor the Scriptures while they philosophize.