Prelude to Philosophy: An Introduction for Christians - Softcover

Foreman, Mark W.; Moreland, J. P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0830839607 ISBN 13: 9780830839605

Publisher: IVP Academic, 2013

Synopsis

"The unexamined life is not worth living," according to Socrates, but pursuing the examined life strikes many as daunting, unappealing and even unnecessary. Is philosophy important? Why do I need philosophy if I have the Bible? Aren't philosophers simply engaged in meaningless disputes that are irrelevant to everyday life? Mark Foreman addresses these and other questions in this "prelude" to the subject. Unlike a full introduction to philosophy, this book is a preliminary discussion that dispels misunderstandings and explains the rationale for engaging in philosophical reasoning. In the first half of the book, Foreman defines the task of philosophy, compares it to other disciplines and demonstrates its practical value to Christians interested in developing a more thoughtful faith. The second half introduces the reader to logic and argumentation, the essential tools of a philosopher. Concise and straightforward, Prelude to Philosophy is a guide for those looking to embark on the "examined life."

About this title

About the Author:

Mark W. Foreman (PhD, religious studies, University of Virginia) is associate professor of philosophy and religion at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is also the author of Christianity and Bioethics: Confronting Clinical Issues.

Review:

"This book is a helpful study of what philosophy is, how it is done and why it is valuable, especially for Christians. It is clearly written, with lots of real-life examples and stories, and will be of real value to students beginning work in philosophy." (C. Stephen Evans, University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Baylor University)

"Mark Foreman's introduction to philosophy gets it just right! For those wanting to explore the life of the mind, Foreman helps take the fear out of philosophizing. This book is a clear, readable and accessible overview on the fundamentals of philosophy--and on doing philosophy to the glory of God." (Paul Copan, professor and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University)

About this edition

• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0830839607
• ISBN 13: 9780830839605
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208