The Philosopher's Toolkit - 3rd Edition by Peter S Fosl & Julian Baggini (Paperback)

About the Book

"Philosophy can be an extremely technical and complex affair, one whose terminology and procedures are often intimidating to the beginner and demanding even for the professional. Like that of surgery, the art of philosophy requires mastering a body of knowledge as well as acquiring precision and skill with a set of instruments or tools. The Philosopher's Toolkit may be thought of as a collection of just such tools. Unlike those of a surgeon or a master woodworker, however, the instruments presented by this text are conceptual - tools that can be used to enter, analyse, criticise, and evaluate philosophical concepts, arguments, visions, and theories. The Toolkit can be used in a variety of ways. It can be read cover to cover by those looking for instruction on the essentials of philosophical reflection. Or it can be used as a course book on basic philosophical method or critical thinking. It can also be used as a reference book to which general readers and more advanced philosophers can turn in order to find quick and clear accounts of the key concepts and methods of philosophy. The book is assembled so that there is a natural, logical order from start to finish, but one can also start wherever one likes, just as one might play any song on a record album first. The aim of the book, in other words, is to act as a conceptual toolbox from which all those from neophytes to master artisans can draw instruments that would otherwise be distributed over a diverse set of texts and require long periods of study to acquire"--

Book Synopsis

A new edition of the bestselling guide to the study of philosophy: the ideal intellectual 'toolkit' for sharpening analytical skills and building philosophical acuity

Whether used as a guide to basic principles or a resource for key concepts and methods, The Philosopher's Toolkit equips readers with all the intellectual 'tools' necessary for engaging closely with philosophical argument and developing fluency in the methods and language of philosophical inquiry. Featuring accessible explanations, practical examples, and expert guidance, this text empowers readers to understand traditional philosophical thinking and to engage with new ideas.

• Focuses on the practical methods and concepts necessary for philosophical inquiry
• Presents a versatile resource for both novice and advanced students in areas of philosophy, critical theory, and rhetoric
• Adopts a pluralistic approach to teaching philosophy, making this a suitable resource for many courses
• Delivers extensive cross-referenced entries, recommended readings, and updated online resources
• Covers an array of topics, from basic tools of argumentation to sophisticated philosophical principles
• Fully revised and updated to include new topics and entries as well as expanded recommended reading lists to encourage further study

From the Back Cover

"Fosl and Baggini have written a text that is crisp, clear, careful, coherent, and comprehensive. And--alliteration aside--it's a joy to read."
Robert Arp, Philosophy Instructor and Researcher, US Department of Defense

In the nearly twenty years since it was first published, The Philosopher's Toolkit has become a breakaway bestseller, helping readers all over the world to develop philosophical literacy and fluency in the foundations of philosophical thinking. Clear, comprehensive, and written in a highly accessible style, this compendium of essential philosophical methods, concepts, and terminology combines precise definitions with concise explanations and thoughtful suggestions for their practical application.

Now in its third edition, The Philosopher's Toolkit offers revised and expanded coverage of metaphysics, logic, the philosophy of science, and continental philosophy. Many of the original entries have been enhanced, extended, and updated, and a more extensive list of recommended readings reflects an evolving multimedia landscape, identifying the most useful and stable supplementary digital resources to support classroom use. As in prior editions, the short entries collected here are deeply informed by the history of philosophy and are fortified by lively examples that help readers grasp sophisticated philosophical concepts and principles. The book is organized alphabetically by tool, and runs the gamut from the basics of argument, rhetoric, and reasoning to the formation of radical critiques of knowledge and the limits of philosophical methodology.

Accessible to the non-specialist yet trusted by working philosophers, The Philosopher's Toolkit has guided thousands of readers through the principles of effective reasoning and critique without sacrificing nuance. This latest edition strengthens its reputation as an unparalleled introduction and quick reference resource for anyone interested in becoming proficient with the tools of the philosophical trade.

About the Author

Peter S. Fosl is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of PPE at Transylvania University, Kentucky. He is author of Hume's Scepticism (2020), co-author of The Critical Thinking Toolkit (Wiley Blackwell, 2016) and The Ethics Toolkit (Wiley Blackwell, 2007), editor of The Big Lebowski and Philosophy (Wiley Blackwell, 2012), and co-editor of Philosophy: The Classic Readings (Wiley Blackwell, 2009).

Julian Baggini is Academic Director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent. He was the founding editor of The Philosophers' Magazine and has written for numerous newspapers and magazines, as well as for the think tanks The Institute of Public Policy Research, Demos, and Counterpoint. He is the author, co-author, or editor of over 20 books, including How the World Thinks, The Virtues of the Table, The Ego Trick, Freedom Regained, and The Edge of Reason.