Roots of Wisdom,
8th Edition

Helen Buss Mitchell

Roots of Wisdom
ISBN-13: 9781337559805
Copyright 2019 | Published
560 pages | List Price: USD $250.95

Mitchell's ROOTS OF WISDOM: A TAPESTRY OF PHILOSOPHICAL TRADITIONS, Eighth Edition, explores worldviews by examining universal and current philosophical issues through a rich tapestry of perspectives, including the ideas and traditions of men and women from the West, Asia, the Americas and Africa. Worldviews reveal core beliefs and determine who is and who is not a person, what an Ultimate Reality might be like and how to resolve the personal, political and social questions that shape ethical decision making. The text couples unrivaled breadth of multicultural coverage with a clear and concise presentation. Striking images from fine art, cartoons, poetry, movies, current events and popular music illustrate our diverse cultural inheritance. Lively discussions include the Confucian Socially Molded Self, issues of sovereignty and citizenship and the philosophical concept of personhood.

Purchase Enquiry INSTRUCTOR’S eREVIEW COPY

Part I: WHAT IS EVERYTHING REALLY LIKE?
Questions of Metaphysics. Historical Interlude A: A Worldwide Context for Western Philosophy.
1. Why Philosophy? Is This All There Is?
2. Reality and Being. Is What You See What You Get?
Historical Interlude B: Philosophy and Early Christianity.
3. Human Nature. Who or What Are We, and What Are We Doing Here?
4. Philosophy and Ultimate Reality. Is There an Ultimate Reality?
Part II: HOW AM I TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD?
Questions of Epistemology. Historical Interlude C: From the Medieval to the Modern World.
5. Knowledge Sources. Do You See What I See?
6. Truth Tests. Do You Swear to Tell the Truth…?
7. Aesthetic Experience. Is Truth Beauty and Beauty Truth?
Part III: BY WHAT VALUES SHALL I LIVE IN THE WORLD?
Questions of Axiology. Historical Interlude D: From the Modern to the Post-Modern World.
8. Political Philosophy. Is Big Brother Watching?
9. Social Philosophy. Am I My Brother's or Sister's Keeper?
10. Ethics. What Will It Be: Truth or Consequences?
Historical Interlude E: A Revolution in Philosophy?
Appendix.
Glossary.
Index.

  • Helen Buss Mitchell

    Helen Buss Mitchell, Ph.D. has been teaching Philosophy at Howard Community College in Columbia Maryland for 27 years. She is the author of Roots of Wisdom: a Tapestry of Philosophical Traditions and Readings from the Roots of Wisdom: A Multicultural Reader. She is also creator/writer/host of a 25-lesson telecourse in World Philosophy," For the Love of Wisdom." All of these projects grew from her interest in the worldviews of The Classical West, Asia, and Traditional Africa, especially how each sheds light on the others in classroom discussions.

  • ROOTS OF WISDOM, 8th Edition, sharpens the focus on personhood as a philosophical concept. Students are invited to consider the philosophical concept of personhood. Are we persons at birth? Does personhood have to be earned or shaped by a nurturing community? Do all humans enjoy full personhood? Chapter 3, Human Nature, introduces language to describe the philosophical concept of personhood. A new section on the "Confucian Socially Molded Self" offers an aristocracy of virtue/character and connects with Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics in Chapter 1.

  • Ensuring students have a thorough understanding, Chapter 8, Political Philosophy, examines the difference between "subject" and "citizen" in a republic and the role of personhood in this distinction. Subjects do not enjoy personhood; citizens potentially do. The transition from monarchy to republic often raises questions about who will be considered a person/citizen under the new regime and who will not.

  • Chapter 9, Social Philosophy, looks at the possibilities for enhancing personhood in a planned city by examining Columbia, Maryland, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. In contrast with long-established legal and social traditions, a planned city offers fresh opportunities to correct or temper injustices in the larger society.

  • With its broad multicultural perspective, ROOTS OF WISDOM, 8th edition offers students a glimpse into many different worldviews and how they form a worldwide tapestry.

  • Professor Mitchell's clear, concise writing style is paired with vivid, colorful examples from art history, popular culture and cartoons, along with excerpts from poetry and prose--making the text accessible, engaging and truly an enjoyable read.

  • "Philosophers Speak for Themselves" boxed features provide writings from such influential thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Descartes, Locke, Hume, Kant and Wollstonecraft, giving students personal experience with the actual language used by philosophers.

  • The text corresponds to Mitchell's For The Love of Wisdom telecourse. Photographs throughout tie the two together for students using both products.

  • Exploring real-life dilemmas, "Doing Philosophy" boxes show students how they can personally engage in philosophy.

  • Forming a mini-course in logic, "How Philosophy Works" boxes help students directly connect to the arguments in each chapter.

Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

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