Philosophy: An Innovative Introduction features a unique, engaging approach to introduce students to philosophy. The book makes innovative use of compelling short stories from two writers who have prominently combined philosophy and fiction in their work.

CONTENTSPrefaceGlossary Part 1: Direct and Indirect Discourse in Philosophy * 1. Direct and Indirect Discourse in PhilosophyReading and Discussion Questions * 2. How Can I Respond to Claims Using Direct Logical Discourse?Reading and Discussion Questions * 3. How Can I Respond to Claims Using Indirect Fictive Narrative Discourse?Reading and Discussion Questions Part 2: Ancient and Medieval Philosophy * 4. PlatoShort Story: The Cynic, Charles JohnsonReading and Discussion QuestionsFictive-Narrative Philosophy FeedbackPrimary Text: Plato, The Myth of the Charioteer Reading and Discussion QuestionsClass ExercisesPrimary Text: Plato, CritoReading and Discussion QuestionsClass Exercises * 5. AristotleShort Story: Aristotle the Outsider, Michael BoylanReading and Discussion QuestionsFictive-Narrative Philosophy FeedbackPrimary Text: Aristotle, The Nature of Mind Reading and Discussion QuestionsClass Exercises * 6. BuddhaShort Story: Prince of the Ascetics, Charles JohnsonReading and Discussion QuestionsFictive-Narrative Philosophy FeedbackPrimary Text: From the Dhmmapada Reading and Discussion QuestionsClass Exercises * 7. AquinasShort Story: The Murder of Thomas Aquinas, Michael Boylan Reading and Discussion QuestionsFictive-Narrative Philosophy FeedbackPrimary Text: Thomas Aquinas, On the Natural Law Reading and Discussion QuestionsClass Exercises MIDTERM PROJECT Part 3: Modern and Contemporary Philosophy * 8. DescartesShort Story: The Queen and the Philosopher, Charles Johnson Reading and Discussion QuestionsFictive-Narrative Philosophy FeedbackPrimary Text: Ren Descartes, Finding a Foundation for Knowledge Reading and Discussion QuestionsClass Exercises * 9. Kant Short Story: Kant Awakened, Michael Boylan Reading and Discussion QuestionsFictive-Narrative Philosophy FeedbackPrimary Text: Gottfried Leibniz, On Geometrical Method and the Method of MetaphysicsReading and Discussion QuestionsClass ExercisesPrimary Text: Christian Wolff, Three Types of Human Knowledge Readin