Key Information
From Athens to America: Readings in Western Philosophy, By Paul Dykes & John C. Powell
2002, [ISBN: 1-58107-058-6; 250 5.5-by-8.5-inch pages, soft cover] $18.95
These readings from the literature of western philosophy have been collected to serve a practical home and classroom purposes: to make available to readers a sampling of the ideas of some of history’s great thinkers on the subject of human values. The selection is eclectic but not random. The excerpts included have been used in philosophy classes and have been the basis for thoughtful and spirited discussions. The intent of the anthologists is not to instill values but to encourage readers to test their own assumptions and opinions against a variety of ideas and to emerge from the encounter better prepared to shape the values by which they will live their own lives. This book contains selected passages from significant works by some of the most influential thinkers in western civilization.
The Contents
Introduction
PLATO From The Apology of Socrates From The Republic (Book One) From The Republic (Book Two) From The Republic (Book Four) From The Republic (Book Seven)
ARISTOTLE From The Nichomachean Ethics (Book One) From The Nichomachean Ethics (Book Two)
EPICURUS From his Letter to Menoecius
EPICTETUS From The Enchiridion
MARCUS AURELIUS From Meditations
AUGUSTINE From The Confessions
FRANCIS BACON From Novum Organum
THOMAS HOBBES From Leviathan
RENE DESCARTES From Discourse on Method
BENEDICT SPINOZA From On the Improvement of the Understanding
JOHN LOCKE From Essay Concerning Human Understanding
JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU From The Social Contract
DAVID HUME From Essays, Moral and Political
IMMANUEL KANT From The Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysic of Morals
G.W.F. HEGEL From The Philosophy of Religion
ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER From On the Basis of Morality
SOREN KIERKEGAARD From The Attack on Christendom
JOHN STUART MILL From Utilitarianism
FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE From Beyond Good and Evil
WILLIAM JAMES From The Will to Believe
SOURCES
The Authors
Paul Dykes, B.A., M.A., studied at the University of Tulsa and at Stanford University. He began teaching in Tulsa in 1959 and currently teaches philosophy at Booker T. Washington High School, a magnet school in Tulsa.
Dr. John C. Powell earned degrees at Oklahoma City University and Oklahoma State University. He is Dean of Faculty at Heritage Hall in Oklahoma City, where he teaches history, art history, and philosophy.