This highly anticipated anthology, compiled by noted author and scholar Steven Cahn, presents the seven major works central to any introductory philosophy course in their entirety. Each work has had a profound influence on philosophical thought, and the authors are generally regarded as among the world’s greatest philosophers. Seven Masterpieces in Philosophy features the most well-respected and admired translations, and offers introductions and annotations by Steven Cahn. Anyone seeking to understand the challenges of philosophy could hardly do better than concentrate attention on these seven masterpieces. A great alternative to larger tomes, this book allows the instructor to supplement these works with additional materials of their choosing.

For many, philosophy is a difficult, almost unapproachable field--just understanding it seems to require more knowledge than most students and general readers could possible have. That's how Masterpieces of World Philosophy can help you to truly grasp the ideas of Aristotle and Aquinas, Confucius and Camus: it examines and summarizes nearly one hundred influential works through critical essays that focus on their themes and major points. Based on the award-winning, five-volume reference, World Philosophy, each essay explains the historical background of the work, the life of its author, and its influence on modern thought. Alternative views of the philosopher's ideas are provided through reviews of important critical works, and reading lists help you find sources for additional information. With Masterpieces of World Philosophy, the ideas that have shaped our world--from the ancients to the thinkers of our time--are at your fingertips.

For over fifty years Steven M. Cahn has been a prolific contributor to discussions of philosophical and educational issues. In this volume he has chosen his favorite articles from the 1960s to the present, reflecting his long-standing interests in the concept of free will, the rationality of religious belief, the insights of John Dewey, the affirmative action debate, the aims of higher education, and the nature of living well. Also included are several philosophical puzzles. Professor Cahn is a noted teacher and lecturer, and these essays reflect his skills at explaining complex ideas with clarity and defending challenging positions with cogency. His work demonstrates how philosophical inquiry can be both engaging and enlightening.

This volume completes a trilogy of Steven M. Cahn's shorter writings that includes The Road Traveled and Other Essays (2019) and A Philosopher's Journey (2020). Included here are his contributions to three philosophical debates: first, whether events are fated to occur; second, whether God is knowable; and third, whether morality can conflict with happiness. The book contains not only Cahn's essays but also edited versions of the writings to which he is responding, thereby putting his remarks into context and rendering them accessible to all. These pieces make clear why Professor Cahn is regarded as one of the leading philosophy teachers of his generation.

This expanded edition of a celebrated book by philosopher and educator Steven M. Cahn offers sound advice on building a successful academic career. He explains how to plan, complete, and defend a dissertation; how to handle interviews for academic positions; how to improve your teaching; how to prepare and publish research; how to develop a professional network; and how to garner support for earning tenure. Whether you are considering enrolling in graduate school, seeking an academic position, or balancing the demands of a professorial career, you will find valuable guidance in Cahn’s insightful account of the ways of academia.

Some students find philosophy engrossing; others are merely bewildered. How can professors meet the challenge of teaching introductory-level philosophy so that their students, regardless of initial incentive or skill, come to understand and even enjoy the subject? For nearly a decade, renowned philosopher and teacher Steven M. Cahn offered doctoral students a fourteen-week, credit-bearing course to prepare them to teach undergraduates. At schools where these instructors were appointed, department chairs reported a dramatic increase in student interest. In this book, Cahn captures the essence of that course. Yet many of the topics he discusses concern all faculty, regardless of subject: a teacher’s responsibilities, the keys to effective instruction, the proper approach to term papers, examinations, and grades; and suggestions for how administrators should demonstrate that they take teaching seriously. Such matters are covered in the first seven chapters and in the final, fourteenth chapter. The intermediate six chapters focus on teaching introductory philosophy and, in particular, on critical thinking, free will, philosophy of religion, ethics, and political philosophy. Cahn’s writing is lucid and lively, using vivid examples and avoiding educational jargon. In sum, this book is not only a guide on how to inspire students but also an inspiration for teachers themselves.