{"product_id":"the-great-conversation-a-historical-introduction-to-philosophyvolume-i-presocratics-through-descartes-9780195306804","title":"The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to PhilosophyVolume I: Pre-Socratics through Descartes","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to PhilosophyVolume I: Pre-Socratics through Descartes\u003c\/strong\u003e by Melchert, Norman. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780195306804.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for courses in introductory or ancient and medieval philosophy, The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy, Volume I: Pre-Socratics through Descartes covers the same material as the first half (chapters 1-13) of author Norman Melcherts longer volume, The Great Conversation. Now in its fifth edition, this historically organized introductory text treats philosophy as a dramatic and continuous story--a conversation about humankinds deepest and most persistent concerns. Tracing the exchange of ideas between historys key philosophers, the book demonstrates that while constructing an argument or making a claim, one philosopher almost always has others in mind. It addresses the fundamental questions of human life: Who are we? What can we know? How should we live? and What sort of reality do we inhabit?\nThe fifth edition retains the distinctive feature of previous editions: Melchert provides a generous selection of excerpts from major philosophical works and makes them more easily understandable to students with his lucid and engaging explanations. Ranging from the Pre-Socratics to Descartes, the selections are organized historically and include four complete works: Platos Euthyphro, Apology, and Crito, and Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy. The authors commentary offers a rich intellectual and cultural context for the philosophical ideas conveyed in the excerpts. Extensive cross-referencing shows students how philosophers respond appreciatively or critically to the thoughts of other philosophers. The text is enhanced by two types of exercises--\"Basic Questions\" and \"For Further Thought\"--and more than thirty-five illustrations.\n\nNew to the Fifth Edition:\n\n* New profiles of Muslim and Jewish thinkers, including Avicenna (Ibn Sina), Averroës (Ibn Rushd), and Maimonides (Moses ben Maimon)\n* Improved translations of several of Platos works, including Protagoras, Gorgias, Phaedo, Symposium, Meno, and the Republic\n* Review questions that are now dispersed throughout the chapters (instead of at chapter ends) to follow relevant passages and facilitate classroom discussion\n* Eight new images, including explanatory cartoons that help students understand key concepts\n* A revised Instructors Manual and Test Bank containing essential points, teaching suggestions, and multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay exam questions\n\nAlso available to suit your course needs: The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy, Fifth Edition (combined volume covering the Pre-Socratics through Derrida and Quine) and The Great Conversation: Volume II: Descartes through Derrida and Quine, Fifth Edition (includes chapters 12-26 of the combined volume).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press, USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45256991047733,"sku":"ByrdShop_0195306805","price":88.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780195306804_203ebe61-a609-4eb6-b729-2c53c54b0b87.jpg?v=1779965697","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-great-conversation-a-historical-introduction-to-philosophyvolume-i-presocratics-through-descartes-9780195306804","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}