Consisting of an assortment of landmark essays and the best in contemporary scholarship, this anthology delves deeply into the most pressing environmental issues of our times. Articles included in this anthology are distinguished for their relevance to real-life policy making and for their ability to promote rich and lively discussion about controversial matters. In addition, the editors' careful organization of the topics and illuminating section previews keep students focused on the most essential points of current environmental debates.

A brand new edition of an internationally-renowned philosophy of science bestseller. Now well into its fourth decade, What is This Thing Called Science? has become something of a classic the world over, available in 19 languages. Each decade, Alan Chalmers has drawn on his experience as a teacher and researcher to improve and update the text. In his accessible style, Chalmers illuminates the major developments in the field of the philosophy of science over the past few years. The most significant feature of this fourth edition is the addition of an extensive postscript, in which Chalmers uses the results of his research into the history of atomism to illustrate and enliven key themes in the philosophy of science. Identifying the qualitative difference between knowledge of atoms as it figures in contemporary science and metaphysical speculations about atoms common in philosophy since the time of Democritus proves to be a highly revealing and instructive way to pinpoint key features of the answer to the question 'What is this thing called science?' This new edition ensures that the book holds its place as the leading introduction to the philosophy of science for the foreseeable future. 'Successive editions have retained and refined its clear, engaging and witty discussions of the most important topics in the field, incorporating the best new research in the field. This latest edition also adds a valuable layer of grounding in the history of science, particularly based on Chalmers' recent extensive research on the history of atomism'. Hasok Chang, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Hans Rausing Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge, UK

What is truth? Can it be discovered objectively, as science claims? Or is truth a created, highly contested and changing entity, lasting but a moment?

Is there more than one truth? Do we pursue truth or does it pursue us? Why have people sacrificed their lives for it? What is it about truth that can elicit such reactions?

In Rethinking Truth, the authors reflect on the philosophies of:

• Logical empiricism and empiricism
• Critical rationalism
• Critical theory
• Existentialism
• Systems theory
• Feminism
• African philosophy
• Hermeneutics
• Postmodernism
• Nihilism

Rethinking Truth builds on the theories covered in Rethinking Our World and for this reason, it is more suitable for senior students in the human and social sciences. It should also appeal to a general readership seeking a greater understanding of the arguments in the major philosophies.

The ideas of the German philosopher, Hans-Georg Gadamer have had considerable influence both in their own right as the leading modern exposition of philosophical hermeneutics and interpreting the works of Heidegger, Plato and Hegel. This work covers the trail of Gadamer's thought. Taking 'Truth and Method' (1960, translated 1975) as the axis of the interpretation of Gadamer's thought, Jean Grondin lays out the key themes of the work - method, humanism, aesthetic judgement, truth, the work of history - with exemplary clarity. Gadamer's concerns are situated in the context of traditional philosophical issues, showing, for example, how Gadamer both continues, and significantly modifies, the philosophical problem as it begins with Descartes and advances rather than simply follows Heidegger's treatment of the relationship of thinking and language. In this way Grondin shows how the issues of philosophical hermeneutics are relevant for contemporary concerns in science and history.

Denise and John Carmody introduce the concept of mysticism and its practice in each of the world's major religions. For each religion they provide a brief description of its history, doctrine, and major mystical figures, and compare its mystical dimension to those of other traditions.

From Immanuel Kant to Postmodernism, this volume provides an unparalleled student resource: a wide-ranging collection of the essential works of more than 50 seminal thinkers in modern European philosophy.
Areas covered include Kant and German Idealism, Existentialism, Phenomenology, Hermeneutics, Marxism and the Frankfurt School, Structuralism, Psychoanalysis, Feminism, Deconstruction, and Postmodernism. Each section begins with a concise and helpful introduction, and all the texts have been selected for accessibility as well as significance, making the volume ideal for introductory and advanced levels in philosophy, cultural studies, literary theory, and the history of modern thought.

This revised edition draws on years of lecturing experience and feedback from students. The result is a popular, lively and accessible book which offers an improved and reader-friendly introduction to the art of clear thinking. Developing and applying critical reasoning skills is globally recognised as a basic competency, like reading and writing. Critical thinkers who think for themselves are the key role players in a free and democratic society. Several up-to-date and new examples from major South African socio-political events from the past few years are given, such as the Zuma trial, political conflict, race relations, and xenophobia. Other new examples are based on events that took place in the rest of Africa and the world. New exercises are drawn from newspapers, advertisements, political speeches, literary works, the Internet, and debates about xenophobic violence, crime, the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, inequality, and health care. Numerous activities lead readers to practise critical reasoning skills. The book is valuable to students of Philosophy but also for those studying Communication Science, Development Studies, Health Care, Law, English Studies, Medical Ethics, Political Science, Psychology and Public Administration.

Does life have any meaning for you? Is it possible to create meaning? What do you think life is about? Do you think life is worth living?

These questions, taken from the text of Rethinking Our World, challenge the reader to look critically and creatively at many of society’s traditional beliefs. They encourage readers to look at their world differently by asking questions about change, identity and direction. The authors outline the major figures and basic principles of each philosophy, then analyse the type of thinking each approach encourages. They go on to challenge readers to examine ways in which the different approaches can be used to understand the world.

Rethinking Our World will be invaluable to undergraduate students in the human and social sciences, as well as to a more general readership seeking an understanding of the arguments in the major philosophies.