Wisdom Without Answers: A Brief Introduction to Philosophy

Ever watch Saturday night live when they had the "Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handy"? This book could have been written by the same guy (or at least his brother). No factual stuff here. Just thought provoking questions and ideas for those with any type of imagination. If you don't have an imagination or a desire to read anything that is not just hardline facts that keep you from thinking creatively, then don't get this book. It was an optional read for an ethics course I had.

I, personally don't care for this kind of stoner "philosophy." It seems to be written by a teenager high on pot. They actually try to prove that the universe doesn't exist, among other things. This book was ridiculous.

Love this book. Arrived as described and on time. THANKS! AAA+++

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"Wisdom Without Answers" bills itself in its subtitle as "A Brief Introduction to Philosophy." In a bit more than 100 pages (not including the "Philosophical Connections" material at the end, which serves as an annotated bibliography) it attempts to cover all the standard topics in philosophy, such as the nature of time, causation, free will, knowledge, God, reality, experience, consciousness, the cosmos, death, meaning, ethics, and values. Seeing that philosophers have been struggling with and discussing these issues for centuries, and many books have been written on each one of these topics, one might wonder what a book that tries to introduce all these and more can accomplish in such a short space.There are two answers to this. Answer number one is "very little." Quite obviously, none of these topics are covered in depth. In fact, the few pages devoted to each topic barely scratches the surface of the issue and, to someone knowledgeable in philosophy, what is said will seem quite superficial. Answer number two is "the purpose of the book is simply to whet the appetite of the student."Now, if one approaches this book with answer number two in mind then this book may have some value. One hopes that what the authors say will awaken the curiosity of the reader and get him to go to the "Philosophical Connections" section in the back to explore these issues in much greater detail. My greatest concern in relation to this book is that students will walk away from the book not realizing how much more there is to learn but instead thinking they have learned something rather than realizing how little they really know.

The subtitle of "Wisdom Without Answers" is "A Brief Introduction to Philosophy." It's definitely brief. Not including the bibliography at the back of the book, the text itself is just over 100 pages. In that short space the book discusses all the standard issues in philosophy, such as the nature of time, causation, free will, knowledge, God, reality, experience, consciousness, the cosmos, death, meaning, ethics, and values.Needless to say, the few pages devoted to each topic barely scratch the surface. To someone who has already taken a course or two in philosophy, the text will seem superficial.It is clear that the purpose of the book is to whet the student's appetite. The hope is that the authors' comments will awaken enough curiosity in the readers to get them to peruse the "Philosophical Connections" at the back of the book so they can explore the issues in more detail.

simple and great to have around as a quick refresher

This was the philosophy book that began my journey towards getting a philosophy degree, for better or for worse. Excellent, concise, well thought out and a brilliant read for any budding philosopher. It was assigned reading material from my first philosophy class.

Needed this book for a philosophy class in college. Price was less than the bookstore at the campus.