Philosophy

-Boylan and Johnson return philosophy to its original home--the story. By blending narrative with other philosophical discourses, they create an approach that engages ambiguity in order to attain wisdom.- --Marc Conner, Washington and Lee University

-Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction is an exciting book that promises to invigorate courses in philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. Building on the categories of direct and indirect discourse, the authors offer a robust conception of 'fictive narrative philosophy'--one that treats seriously the power of fiction in philosophical discourse. The authors' innovative approach pairs the philosophies of major figures such as Plato, Kant, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with short stories that engage those figures in thought-provoking ways. The result is that the philosophical tradition is brought to life for students as abstract ideas become vivid and compelling.- --Linda Furgerson Selzer, Penn State University -This unusual introduction to philosophy has broad appeal without sacrificing intellectual rigor.- --Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Brown University

"Boylan and Johnson return philosophy to its original home--the story. By blending narrative with other philosophical discourses, they create an approach that engages ambiguity in order to attain wisdom." --Marc Conner, Washington and Lee University

"Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction is an exciting book that promises to invigorate courses in philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. Building on the categories of direct and indirect discourse, the authors offer a robust conception of 'fictive narrative philosophy'--one that treats seriously the power of fiction in philosophical discourse. The authors' innovative approach pairs the philosophies of major figures such as Plato, Kant, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with short stories that engage those figures in thought-provoking ways. The result is that the philosophical tradition is brought to life for students as abstract ideas become vivid and compelling." --Linda Furgerson Selzer, Penn State University "This unusual introduction to philosophy has broad appeal without sacrificing intellectual rigor." --Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Brown University

Boylan and Johnson return philosophy to its original home the story.By blending narrative with other philosophical discourses, they create an approach that engages ambiguity in order to attain wisdom. Marc Conner, Washington and Lee University

Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction is an exciting book that promises to invigorate courses in philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. Building on the categories of direct and indirect discourse, the authors offer a robust conception of fictive narrative philosophy one that treats seriously the power of fiction in philosophical discourse. The authors innovative approach pairs the philosophies of major figures such as Plato, Kant, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with short stories that engage those figures in thought-provoking ways. The result is that the philosophical tradition is brought to life for students as abstract ideas become vivid and compelling. Linda Furgerson Selzer, Penn State University This unusual introduction to philosophy has broad appeal without sacrificing intellectual rigor. Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Brown University"

Boylan and Johnson return philosophy to its original home the story.By blending narrative with other philosophical discourses, they create an approach that engages ambiguity in order to attain wisdom. Marc Conner, Washington and Lee University "Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction" is an exciting book that promises to invigorate courses in philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. Building on the categories of direct and indirect discourse, the authors offer a robust conception of fictive narrative philosophy one that treats seriously the power of fiction in philosophical discourse. The authors innovative approach pairs the philosophies of major figures such as Plato, Kant, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with short stories that engage those figures in thought-provoking ways. The result is that the philosophical tradition is brought to life for students as abstract ideas become vivid and compelling. Linda Furgerson Selzer, Penn State University This unusual introduction to philosophy has broad appeal without sacrificing intellectual rigor. Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Brown University In the acknowledgements Charles Johnson quotes Camus, If you want to be a philosopher, write novels. While an extravagant claim, Boylan and Johnson have conceived and brought to life an innovative new introductory philosophy text that richly demonstrates what Camus calls for. The text s historical approach supplements the usual philosophers with multicultural, more inclusive works by Buddha, Arendt, Murdoch and M. L. King. It offers numerous helpful aids for the classroom, but most importantly it uniquely blends traditional philosophical argumentationwith provocative fictive narratives (stories) that promise to engage students more fully, thus bringing philosophy alive in ways more traditional texts can only approximate. Richard E. Hart, Bloomfield College
This book is a "tour de force." . . . Designed not only to inform but also to stimulate our feelings and imagination, the creative imagery of the fictional stories accompanying the philosophical texts succeed in instantly transporting us to the everyday lives of these famous philosophers. We walk with Socrates as he struts around the Agora of Athens animated in the midday sun talking about justice. We wait in Kant s living room as he changes his tie before answering the door to welcome guests to yet another of his Friday dinner soirees. Like Platonic dialogues, this wonderful and timely book works not only with words but with powerful, visceral imagery. Edward Spence, Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, Charles Sturt University
"A thoroughly inventive and demanding study that any student or reader should find insightful and rewarding." Library Journal"

"Boylan and Johnson return philosophy to its original home--the story. By blending narrative with other philosophical discourses, they create an approach that engages ambiguity in order to attain wisdom." --Marc Conner, Washington and Lee University""Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction" is an exciting book that promises to invigorate courses in philosophy, ethics, and the humanities. Building on the categories of direct and indirect discourse, the authors offer a robust conception of 'fictive narrative philosophy'--one that treats seriously the power of fiction in philosophical discourse. The authors' innovative approach pairs the philosophies of major figures such as Plato, Kant, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with short stories that engage those figures in thought-provoking ways. The result is that the philosophical tradition is brought to life for students as abstract ideas become vivid and compelling." --Linda Furgerson Selzer, Penn State University "This unusual introduction to philosophy has broad appeal without sacrificing intellectual rigor." --Felicia Nimue Ackerman, Brown University "In the acknowledgements Charles Johnson quotes Camus, 'If you want to be a philosopher, write novels.' While an extravagant claim, Boylan and Johnson have conceived and brought to life an 'innovative' new introductory philosophy text that richly demonstrates what Camus calls for. The text's historical approach supplements the usual philosophers with multicultural, more inclusive works by Buddha, Arendt, Murdoch and M. L. King. It offers numerous helpful aids for the classroom, but most importantly it uniquely blends traditional philosophical argumentation with provocative fictive narratives (stories) that promise to engage students more fully, thus bringing philosophy alive in ways more traditional texts can only approximate." --Richard E. Hart, Bloomfield College
"This book is a "tour de force". . . . Designed not only to inform but also to stimulate our feelings