Contemporary Issues In Philosophy Culture And Value

This book presents an analysis of the contemporary issues of philosophy, culture and value. It provides insights from both Eastern and Western perspectives on these concepts, showing that, although there are divergent views on these aspects in those traditions, there is ultimately commonality in their considerations of the aspects of harmony, peace and unity, which both traditions emphatically emphasise through cultural dialogue.

Timely and very approachable, this book introduces today's readers to philosophy with readings of philosophical significance. It is one of the most successful philosophy books available for the last 20 years. Incorporates 15 new readings by authors such as Kai Nielsen, Jenny Teichman, Jonathan Harrison, and Sextus Empiricus. Features extensively revised Puzzles and Problems sections that offer unusual and provocative views to arouse reader response. Relates traditional philosophical issues to key contemporary problems, and follows the explanation of each issue with related readings and Puzzles and Problems. Challenges conventional thinking and presents opposing viewpoints on topics such as the existence of God and the limitation of immigration. MARKET For anyone interested in learning more about philosophy and applying its principles to everyday life.

Values have always been a central topic in both philosophy and the social sciences. Statements about what is good or bad, fair or unfair, legitimate or illegitimate, express clear beliefs about human existence. The fact that values differ from culture to culture and century to century opens many questions. In The Origin of Values, Raymond Boudon offers empirical, data-based analysis of existing theories about values, while developing his own perspective as to why people accept or reject value statements. Boudon classifies the main theories of value, including those based on firm belief, social or biological factors, and rational or utilitarian attitudes. He discusses the popular and widely influential Rational Choice Model and critiques the postmodernist approach. Boudon investigates why relativism has become so powerful and contrasts it with the naturalism represented by the work of James Q. Wilson on moral sensibility. He follows with a constructive attempt to develop a new theory, beginning with Weber's idea of non-instrumental rationality as the basis for a more complex idea of rationality. Applying Boudon's own and existing theories of value to political issues and social ideas—the end of apartheid, the death penalty, multiculturalism, communitarianism—The Origin of Values is a significant work. Boudon fulfills a major task of social science: explanation of collective belief. His book will be of interest to sociologists, philosophers, psychologists, and political scientists.

Values have always been a central topic in both philosophy and the social sciences. Statements about what is good or bad, fair or unfair, legitimate or illegitimate, express clear beliefs about human existence. The fact that values differ from culture to culture and century to century opens many questions. In The Origin of Values, Raymond Boudon offers empirical, data-based analysis of existing theories about values, while developing his own perspective as to why people accept or reject value statements. Boudon classifies the main theories of value, including those based on firm belief, social or biological factors, and rational or utilitarian attitudes. He discusses the popular and widely influential Rational Choice Model and critiques the postmodernist approach. Boudon investigates why relativism has become so powerful and contrasts it with the naturalism represented by the work of James Q. Wilson on moral sensibility. He follows with a constructive attempt to develop a new theory, beginning with Weber’s idea of non-instrumental rationality as the basis for a more complex idea of rationality. Applying Boudon’s own and existing theories of value to political issues and social ideas—the end of apartheid, the death penalty, multiculturalism, communitarianism—The Origin of Values is a significant work. Boudon fulfills a major task of social science: explanation of collective belief. His book will be of interest to sociologists, philosophers, psychologists, and political scientists.

Problems in Value Theory takes a pro and con approach to central topics in aesthetics, ethics and political theory. Each chapter begins with a question: What Makes Actions Right or Wrong? Does Morality Depend on God? Do We Need Government? Contemporary philosophers with opposing viewpoints are then paired together to argue their position and raise problems with conflicting standpoints. Alongside an up-to-date introduction to a core philosophical stance, each contributor provides a critical response to their opponent and clear explanation of their view. Discussion questions are included at the end of each chapter to guide further discussion. With chapters ranging from why the government should never wage war to what is art and does morality depend on God, this introduction covers questions lying at the heart of debates about what does and does not have value.

For courses in Introduction to Philosophy or Contemporary Philosophy. One of the most successful texts in its field over the last 20 years, Philosophy and Contemporary Issues introduces today's students to philosophy with timely, approachable readings of philosophical significance. The authors strive to demonstrate how philosophy illuminates and helps solve some of the important problems facing contemporary man, and they encourage students to engage in philosophizing themselves. This book successfully makes the subject interesting and intelligible for students encountering philosophy for the first time.

Exploring Cultural Value presents ground breaking new research on the use of the cultural value lens to explain and investigate those areas of society where art and culture can have an impact or add value, beyond economic measures.