Consider Philosophy

Consider Philosophy is based on the belief that philosophy is filled with fascinating questions. It is designed to invite every student into deep, enjoyable, and accessible philosophical exploration. Featuring selections from the world’s most influential philosophers, this combination of primary texts and explanatory pedagogy presents philosophy in a clear, accessible way that does not sacrifice rigor.

Making connections among different philosophical theories throughout, Consider Philosophy  helps students to engage in subject matter and apply theories to important philosophical issues.  It offers a balance of theory and applications through a mix of text and readings, and begins each chapter covering philosophical theory, followed by related, classical readings. 

“It is not overloaded and excessive, nor is it superficial and "dumbed down." It contains important primary readings, helpful "questions for thought," and a useful glossary at the end of each chapter. -Professor Robert Gall, West Liberty State College Wide-ranging, engaging, clear, comprehensible, geared toward students learning how to think philosophically rather than just understand or recite philosophical arguments. -Professor Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University Its got broad topical and historical coverage and it's organized well for semester teaching. -Professor Sean Stidd, Wayne State University "The strength of the book is its straightforward writing style that doesn't complicate things too much for intro students, and the questions for reflection that are at the end of the chapters. These are the kinds of questions my students could write an essay on instead of writing a paper." - Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University "The text seems to strike the right balance in terms of the amount of material covered. It is not overloaded and excessive, nor is it superficial and "dumbed down." It contains important primary readings, helpful "questions for thought," and a useful glossary at the end of each chapter." - Robert Gall, West Liberty State College "The questions at the end of each chapter are great. They are not just questions of what was stated in the chapter, but are straightforward, compelling questions or thought experiments that students at any level could understand and attempt to answer. I also like the quotes in the boxes, which were from a wide variety of sources, including history and culture. These are useful and interesting without distracting from the main line of argument or questions being raised. The writing is also clear and straightforward, without too much complexity." - Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University "The writing style is very clear and straightforward. This is great. The level is appropriate for students and is not so long-winded. (I think they would not complain about Waller's writing.) Also, the examples used to introduce the topics at the beginning of each chapter are great. He also guides the reader through how to think of the issues, and doesn't just try to explain things. Focus on determinism. Now that helps the student focus on the topic at hand which may be hard for them to do." - Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University "I very much like the author's writing style and his introduction to key issues in philosophy. He makes complicated issues interesting and accessible and he locates them within a broader social perspective that includes historical facts, religious pressures, and political conditions. This would be a very welcome addition to my teaching introduction to philosophy." - Jennifer Lackey, Northwestern University”

It is not overloaded and excessive, nor is it superficial and "dumbed down." It contains important primary readings, helpful "questions for thought," and a useful glossary at the end of each chapter.

—Professor Robert Gall, West Liberty State College

Wide-ranging, engaging, clear, comprehensible, geared toward students learning how to think philosophically rather than just understand or recite philosophical arguments.

—Professor Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University

Its got broad topical and historical coverage and it's organized well for semester teaching.

—Professor Sean Stidd, Wayne State University

“The strength of the book is its straightforward writing style that doesn’t complicate things too much for intro students, and the questions for reflection that are at the end of the chapters. These are the kinds of questions my students could write an essay on instead of writing a paper.”

— Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University 

“The text seems to strike the right balance in terms of the amount of material covered. It is not overloaded and excessive, nor is it superficial and "dumbed down." It contains important primary readings, helpful "questions for thought," and a useful glossary at the end of each chapter.”

— Robert Gall, West Liberty State College

“The questions at the end of each chapter are great. They are not just questions of what was stated in the chapter, but are straightforward, compelling questions or thought experiments that students at any level could understand and attempt to answer. I also like the quotes in the boxes, which were from a wide variety of sources, including history and culture. These are useful and interesting without distracting from the main line of argument or questions being raised. The writing is also clear and straightforward, without too much complexity.”

— Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University 

“The writing style is very clear and straightforward. This is great. The level is appropriate for students and is not so long-winded. (I think they would not complain about Waller’s writing.) Also, the examples used to introduce the topics at the beginning of each chapter are great. He also guides the reader through how to think of the issues, and doesn’t just try to explain things. Focus on determinism. Now that helps the student focus on the topic at hand which may be hard for them to do.”

— Julinna Oxley, Coastal Carolina University

“I very much like the author’s writing style and his introduction to key issues in philosophy. He makes complicated issues interesting and accessible and he locates them within a broader social perspective that includes historical facts, religious pressures, and political conditions. This would be a very welcome addition to my teaching introduction to philosophy.”

— Jennifer Lackey, Northwestern University

Dr. Bruce N. Waller is Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University. He received his Ph.D. in 1979 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His other works include Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues, Critical Thinking: Consider the Verdict, You Decide! Current Debates in Criminal Justice, You Decide! Current Debates in Contemporary Moral Problems, You Decide! Current Debates in Introductory Philosophy, You Decide! Current Debates in Ethics, and Coffee and Philosophy: A Conversational Introduction to Philosophy with Readings.

Offering a balance of theory and applications through a mix of text and readings, Consider Philosophy begins with chapters covering philosophical theory, each of which is followed by related, classical readings. Featuring selections from the world's most influential philosophers, this combination of primary texts and explanatory pedagogy presents the material in a clear, accessible way that does not sacrifice rigor. Making connections among different philosophical theories throughout, the text helps students to engage the subject matter and apply theories to important contemporary philosophical issues.

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