Welche Erklärungs- und Handlungsmöglichkeiten für ein glückliches Leben bieten uns die philosophische Vernunft und die religiöse Weltsicht? Zehn Theorien aus Philosophie und Religion führen in die elementaren Fragen unseres Lebens ein. Anschaulich präsentiert der Band zentrale Ideen der großen Denker: u. a. Platon, Aristoteles, Kant, Marx, Freud und Sartre. Zudem werden Vorstellungen aus Judentum, Christentum, Hinduismus und Konfuzianismus beleuchtet. Spannende und gut lesbare Einführung, gerade auch für Philosophie-Anfänger.

Over six previous editions, Twelve Theories of Human Nature has been a remarkably popular introduction to some of the most influential developments in Western and Eastern thought. Now titled Thirteen Theories of Human Nature, the seventh edition adds a chapter on feminist theory to those on Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Plato, Aristotle, the Bible, Islam, Kant, Marx, Freud, Sartre, and Darwinism. The authors juxtapose the ideas of these and other thinkers and traditions in a way that helps students understand how humanity has struggled to comprehend its nature. To encourage students to think critically for themselves and to underscore the similarities and differences between the many theories, the book examines each one on four points-the nature of the universe, the nature of humanity, the diagnosis of the ills of humanity, and the proposed cure for these problems. Ideal for introductory courses in human nature, introduction to philosophy, and intellectual history, this unique volume will engage and motivate students and other readers to consider how we can understand and improve both ourselves and human society.

This book is about the meaning of life or the spiritual quest. It offers a selective and critical evaluation of some central strands of Western religious and philosophical thought over two and a half thousand years. It starts with Socrates' philosophy of life, and the Greek tradition of philosophy that he initiated. It gives its own take on the teaching of Jesus, and on the long and controversial history of Christianity. There is a chapter devoted to George Fox and the beginning of the Quaker movement, suggesting some surprising parallels between the undogmatic spirituality of the Quakers and the heavyweight philosophy of Immanuel Kant. It recommends a non-literal interpretation of language about God,

Leslie Stevenson taught Philosophy at St.Andrews University in Scotland from 1968-2000, and is now Honorary Reader (retired). He is co-author of Twelve Theories of Human Nature (6th edition), Oxford University Press 2012, and The Many Faces of Science (2nd edition), Westview Press 2000, and author of Open to New Light: An introduction to Quaker spirituality in historical and philosophical context, Imprint Academic, 2012. He is a keen amateur bassoon-player. This is his first attempt at fiction, and though some of his stories contain philosophical or theological themes, they are meant to be enjoyable just as stories.

These essays on Kant's theoretical philosophy, besides deriving inspiration from him, bring insights from contemporary analytical philosophy to bear in interpreting some of his most deep and difficult themes. The topics covered include representation and reality, appearances and things in themselves, the given and synthesis, transcendental idealism, the limits of scientific explanation, knowledge, belief and faith, freedom of judgment, different levels of operation within the mind, and determinism and free will.
Though written separately (and in some cases already published), the essays bear close relations with each other, and these inter-relations have been emphasized and signposted in preparing revised versions for this book.
This collection of essays features a variety of concrete examples (and occasional humor) to illustrate and illuminate the very abstract themes of Kant's philosophy. It is designed to be readable with enjoyment and profit by those who do not count themselves as Kant scholars.