Loewer, B. (2009) 30-Second philosophies, East Sussex U.K.  Ivy Press

In living to survive, one has to developed some skepticism as well as belief.  Philosophy is the study of existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.  This book is written in the same framework of other disciplines of  30- Second series. There are sets of definitions, postmodern graphics, sidebars, full page biographies, and terse explanations.

Because there is so much, let me just suggest some of the main articles. Before we begin, after all the  reasonable shouting and  reasonable screaming, we take the leap of faith the we are alive and the reality is recurring and knowable.

The author  introduces one to Aristotle’s syllogisms and from there he moves all over the map. Some that may really interest readers include: Derrida(deconstructionism)

Kuhn( scientific revolutions)

Hegel (dialectical struggle)

Kant (categorical imperative)

Mill’s (utilitarianism)

Pascal (wager)

Aquinas  (five  ways)

You begin to understand the pre-modern, modern, and postmodern or META-postmodern. Religion and philosophy intertwine and can struggle against each other. Philosophy can be a strong component to the art of making a living, but at a time when there is a necessary cerebral hygiene of over cognition, it is best to be happy than right. Philosophy is the Queen of both social and physical sciences. However, when all is said and then done, we need to pick our way with these scholars in the shadow lands,  and work our way through life.

Philosophy is the story about beginnings and the questions that were asked years and years ago. However, the field will be not only of the past, but present and future.

This a quick way to get a glimpse of ideas you may have thought or discussed in your life before. Now you have a name for them.

Prof.   Joel Snell

Kirkwood College