Core Questions in Philosophy

Elliott Sober, Joel Velasco

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781040660294
• Topic: Philosophy
• Subtopic: Critical Theory

In this 9th edition of Core Questions in Philosophy, Elliott Sober and Joel Velasco use an engaging lecture-style format to show students how philosophy is best used to evaluate many different kinds of arguments and to construct sound theories. Well-known historical texts are discussed, not as a means to honor the dead or merely to describe what various philosophers have thought, but to engage with, criticize, and even improve ideas from the past. In addition - because philosophy cannot function apart from its engagement with the wider society - traditional and contemporary philosophical problems are brought into dialogue with the physical, biological, and social sciences. Text boxes highlight key concepts, and review questions, discussion questions, and a glossary of terms are also included.

Core Questions in Philosophy has served as a premier introductory textbook for three decades, with updates to each new edition.

Key updates to this 9th edition include:

• A new concluding chapter on the meaning of life
• The integration of non-Western thinkers throughout the book
• Expanded discussions on utilitarianism, virtue ethics, free will, and epistemology
• Updated material from philosophy and empirical research throughout

Revisions to the online list of recommended resources include:

• Additional recommendations of supplementary readings, with updated source links to all reading material
• New recommended videos and podcasts, all organized by their relevance to each chapter in the book

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of Boxes
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Routledge eResource
• Part I Introduction
• Part II Philosophy of Religion
• Part III Theory of Knowledge
• Part IV Philosophy of Mind
• Part V Ethics
• Glossary
• Index