Modern Philosophy: An Introduction And Survey Books Pdf File

Without a doubt, Bertrand Russell's two books: The Problems of Philosophy and History of Western Philosophy - not only are they introductions to timeless problems, the purpose and methods of philosophy, but they also present philosophical perspectives of their very own.

Modern Philosophy: An Introduction and Survey books pdf file

Introductory textbooks are far too boring and textbook-y to ever be a good introduction to philosophy. Chances are, there's a reason that these people didn't just take a formal philosophy class, and I'd almost be willing to bet that these textbooks are part of the reason. Not that they're bad, per se, but certainly dry.

I recommend Ferdinand Saussure's General Course in Linguistics. He is the father of Semiotics which is the study of anything that can be interpreted as a sign. From him, originates the idea of the "signifier" and "signified". This is an excellent introduction to post modern philosophical thought.

Any introductory-level course may be taken as a first philosophy course. PHIL 101 is the broadest survey course, providing an introduction to a range of areas of philosophy, and is therefore a good choice for many as a first course; but many who have particular interests in the topics of other introductory-level courses begin with one of them, which is fine too.

This course is an introduction to the major concepts, techniques, and results of modern logic, aimed at students who have taken at least one formal logic course (or equivalent) in the past. Topics covered include soundness and completeness for propositional and first- order logic, compactness for first-order logic, the Löwenheim-Skolem theorems, second-order logic, and philosophical implications of some these results.