{"product_id":"9780195397628","title":"The Great Conversation: Volume I: Pre-Socratics through Descartes","description":"\u003cbr\u003eIdeal for courses in ancient philosophy or ancient and medieval philosophy, \u003cem\u003eThe Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy, Volume I: Pre-Socratics through Descartes\u003c\/em\u003e covers the same material as the first half (chapters 1-13) of author Norman Melchert's longer volume, \u003cem\u003eThe Great\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eConversation.\u003c\/em\u003e Now in its sixth edition, this historically organized introductory text treats philosophy as a dramatic and continuous story--a conversation about humankind's deepest and most persistent concerns. Tracing the exchange of ideas among history's key philosophers, the book demonstrates that while constructing an argument or making a claim, one philosopher almost always has others in mind. It addresses the fundamental questions of human life: Who are we? What can we know? How should we live? and What sort of reality do we inhabit?\u003cp\u003eThe sixth edition retains the distinctive feature of previous editions: author Norman Melchert provides a generous selection of excerpts from major philosophical works and makes them more easily understandable to students with his lucid and engaging explanations. Ranging from the Pre-Socratics to Descartes, the selections are organized historically and include four complete works: Plato's \u003cem\u003eEuthyphro, Apology,\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCrito,\u003c\/em\u003e and Descartes' \u003cem\u003eMeditations on First Philosophy.\u003c\/em\u003e The author's commentary offers a rich intellectual and cultural context for the philosophical ideas conveyed in the excerpts. Extensive cross-referencing shows students how philosophers respond appreciatively or critically to the thoughts of other philosophers. The text is enhanced by two types of exercises--\"Basic Questions\" and \"For Further Thought\"--and more than twenty-five illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNEW TO THE SIXTH EDITION:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e* Coverage of Taoism\u003cbr\u003e* Key terms, boldfaced throughout and listed at chapter ends\u003cbr\u003e* Brief and provocative quotations that stimulate thought and provoke questions\u003cbr\u003e* A new section on how to read philosophy\u003cbr\u003e* A new appendix: Writing a Philosophy Paper\u003cbr\u003e* A \u003cstrong\u003eCompanion Website\u003c\/strong\u003e at \u003cstrong\u003ewww.oup.com\/us\/melchert\u003c\/strong\u003e featuring resources for students including key points, flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and Internet resources\u003cbr\u003e* A \u003cstrong\u003erevised Instructor's Manual and Test Bank\u003c\/strong\u003e containing key points, teaching suggestions, and multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay exam questions (available on the companion website and on CD)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlso available to suit your course needs: \u003cem\u003eThe Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy,\u003c\/em\u003e Sixth Edition (combined volume covering the Pre-Socratics through Derrida, Quine, and Dennett) and \u003cem\u003eThe Great Conversation: Volume II: Descartes through Derrida and Quine\u003c\/em\u003e (includes chapters 12-25 of the combined volume).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oxford University Press, USA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47022865547504,"sku":"9780195397628","price":72.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780195397628_p0.jpg?v=1763665020","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780195397628","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}