The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy

by Norman Melchert

Tracing the exchange of ideas between history's key philosophers, The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy, Seventh Edition, demonstrates that while constructing an argument or making a claim, one philosopher almost always has others in mind. It addresses the fundamental questions of human life: Who are we? What can we know? How should we live? and What sort of reality do we inhabit?

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. 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 numerous illustrations.

Also available to serve your course needs: The seventh editions of The Great Conversation: Volume I: Pre-Socratics through Descartes and The Great Conversation: Volume II: Descartes through Derrida and Quine

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

728 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