The Complete Idiot S Guide To Philosophy

A revised edition to a solid performing book, with expanded content on various philosophers and ideas. -- The current edition has sold over 61,000 since its release in November of 1997. -- Existing content is great, but needs to be added to in order to more effectively compete with Philosophy for Dummies, which, at 360 pages, is 100 pages over our current edition. -- By its very nature, philosophy is not subject to a great deal of change over time, and therefore can be expected to continue to perform at or above current levels. Philosophy is all about being, knowing, and acting. It poses daring questions such as what exists, what counts as knowledge, and how do we know things? And, as life becomes more and more complicated, people turn to philosophy to help themselves better understand the world around them-politics, religion, family, the environment, and more. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Philosophy, Second Edition will continue the first edition's success in exposing beginners to the world of philosophy, its ideas, and its philosophers. It will contain expanded content on existing ideas and philosophers covered in the first edition, but it will also introduce new philosophers whose ideas were not included in the first edition, but whose contributions to the world of philosophy are perhaps now less obscure.

Socrates admonition that 'the unexamined life is not worth living' still resonates with many people, and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Philosophy, Third Edition, is a great introduction to that mental exercise. The author skilfully covers the subject both historically and topically and brings the reader all the way up to the present, with insights into 21st-century philosophical thought. In this third edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Philosophy, readers will find- Essential philosophers and philosophies, from ancient times right up to today. Eastern as well as Western philosophy. More content, including the relationship of systems theory to philosophy today. Explanations of the latest thinking in 20th- and 21st-century philosophical thought.

You're no idiot, of course. You know Eastern philosophy encompasses many countries and concepts, but when it comes to breaking down the basics—to discuss with others or for your own enlightenment—you can't tell Confucius from Krishna. Don't nix nirvana just yet! The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Eastern Philosophy is an extensive, reader-friendly guide that maps out the terrain along the various paths of knowledge. In this Complete Idiot's Guide®, you get:

You’re no idiot, of course. You know Eastern philosophy encompasses many countries and concepts, but when it comes to breaking down the basics—to discuss with others or for your own enlightenment—you can’t tell Confucius from Krishna. Don’t nix nirvana just yet! The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Eastern Philosophy is an extensive, reader-friendly guide that maps out the terrain along the various paths of knowledge. In this Complete Idiot’s Guide®, you get: • A wealth of information about the history and core beliefs of each philosophical system. • Outlines and in-depth explorations of each school of thought. • Reading and study guides to enhance your understanding. • The “big picture” of Eastern philosophy and how its components relate to Western ideas.

Looks at religious, philosophical, and scientific theories surrounding the nature and origin of the universe, covering such topics as the Big bang theory, general relativity, quantum theory, evolution, and creationism.

The Toltecs were an ancient society who lived in the central valley of Mexico. Their knowledge of science, art, and the spirit was amazingly advanced, and it led them to create a system of teaching that required enormous discipline and willpower. Focusing on the mind, the Toltecs developed a spiritual philosophy that incorporated the beauty of many esoteric teachings, forming a perfect model for transcendence. They believed that humans live in a world of dreams, and the way they dream places limitations on their lives. By changing those dreams, and reprogramming our minds, the wisdom of the Toltecs can lead us to the self-love and respect that are the keys to personal freedom. In The Complete Idiot's Guide to Toltec Wisdom, readers can travel through life with the knowledge of the Toltecs, taking charge of their lives and becoming fully aware for the first time.

Ethics are more than a personal philosophy From the crimes of Bernie Madoff to the accusations of war crimes and torture to the massive greed-inspired fraud perpetrated by the financial institutions around the world, this new edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Understanding Ethics, Second Edition, helps clarify the history and evolution of ethics and their application to real life in the twenty-first century. • Covers ethics in such hot button topics as politics, war, medicine, and business and finance • Features up–to–date ideas on ethical behavior on the Internet when dealing with privacy issues • Discusses the personal ethics surrounding reproductive issues

Gain some insight into the game of life... Game Theory means rigorous strategic thinking. It is based on the idea that everyone acts competitively and in his own best interest. With the help of mathematical models, it is possible to anticipate the actions of others in nearly all life's enterprises. This book includes down-to-earth examples and solutions, as well as charts and illustrations designed to help teach the concept. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Game Theory, Dr. Edward C. Rosenthal makes it easy to understand game theory with insights into: • The history of the discipline made popular by John Nash, the mathematician dramatized in the film A Beautiful Mind • The role of social behavior and psychology in this amazing discipline • How important game theory has become in our society and why