Teaching Philosophy: Theoretical Reflections and Practical Suggestions

by Jonathan E. Adler (Contributor), Martin Benjamin (Contributor), James P. Cadello (Contributor)

The difference in the practical approach to teaching philosophy can mean the difference between an engaging class and an excruciating one. In this expanded edition of In the Socratic Tradition (1997) Kasachkoff adds new sections on teaching philosophy with computers, teaching philosophical explanation, and teaching philosophy of gender. Chapters in the collection share the pedagogical insights of more than two dozen distinguished philosophers, offering practical suggestions on such issues as how to motivate students, construct syllabi and creative examinations for specific courses, and teach complex philosophical concepts. Like its predecessor, Teaching Philosophy will be an indispensable resource for teachers of all levels and fields of philosophy, and will be particularly helpful in lending inspiration to graduate students and professors called upon to teach courses outside of their specialty areas.

302 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2004

About the author

Jonathan Eric Adler (D.Phil, Oxford University, 1978; Ph.D., Brandeis University, 1974; Brooklyn College, 1970) was Professor of Philosophy at Brooklyn College and the City University of New York Graduate Center. He specialized in epistemological topics, including skepticism, induction, testimony, the argument from ignorance, and fanatical reasoning; he also wrote on philosophy of language, ethics and the philosophy of education.

Professor Adler served for four years as the president of the Association for the Philosophy of Education, and for nearly 20 years on the Executive Committee of the Society for Philosophy and Public Affairs. He also worked to make philosophy available to a wider public by serving on the U.S. board of editors of the popular magazine Philosophy Now.