A landmark of enlightenment though, HUme's An Enquiry Concerning Human understanding is accompanied here by two shorter works that shed light on it: A Letter from a Gentlemen to His Friend in Edinburgh, hume's response to those accusing him of atheism, of advocating extreme scepticism, and of undermining the foundations of morality; and his Abstract of A Treatise of HUman Nature, which anticipates discussions developed in the Enquiry. In his concise Introduction, Eric Steinberg explores the conditions that led to write the Enquiry and the work's important relationship to Book 1 of Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature.

A landmark of Enlightenment thought, Hume's An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding is accompanied here by two shorter works that shed light on it: A Letter from a Gentleman to His Friend in Edinburgh, Hume's response to those accusing him of atheism, of advocating extreme skepticism, and of undermining the foundations of morality; and his Abstract of A Treatise of Human Nature, which anticipates discussions developed in the Enquiry. In his concise Introduction, Eric Steinberg explores the conditions that led Hume to write the Enquiry and the work's important relationship to Book I of Hume's A Treatise of Human Nature.

David and Mary Norton present the definitive scholarly edition of one of the greatest philosophical works ever written. This first volume contains the critical text of David Hume's Treatise of Human Nature (1739/40), followed by the short Abstract (1740) in which Hume set out the key arguments of the larger work; the volume concludes with A Letter from a Gentleman to his Friend in Edinburgh (1745), Hume's defence of the Treatise when it was under attack from ministers seeking to prevent Hume's appointment as Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.

Metaphysics: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to the philosophical study of the world and universe in which we live. Concerned with questions about reality, existence, time, identity and change, metaphysics has long fascinated people but to the uninitiated some of the issues and problems can appear very complex. In this lively and lucid book, Michael Rea examines and explains key questions in the study of metaphysics such as: • Can two things be in the same place at the same time? • Do creatures of fiction exist? • Are human beings free? • Is time travel possible? • Is there just one world or many worlds? With a glossary of key terms and suggestions for further reading, the book considers key philosophical arguments around Metaphysics, making this an ideal starting point for anyone seeking a full introduction to the debates both within and about metaphysics.

Planet Earth continues to creep to the edge of an abyss, and we have no one to blame but ourselves. As we've evolved, we've engaged in egregious behaviors without thinking about the consequences. Whether it's reproducing in large numbers, killing off other species or exploiting natural resources, we've failed to consider the impact of our actions. David Louis Sussman, a lifelong environmentalist, examines our missteps and suggests how we might alter our approach to boost the chances for survival for ourselves and other living things. He explores topics such as: - free will and how it can be a polarizing force; - sexual repression and its destabilizing consequences; - missteps by religious leaders and politicians; - structuring democracy on the basis of rights rather than responsibilities. The rate of extinction of other species is now greater than it has been since the disappearance of the dinosaurs 60 million years ago. There is little doubt that we are the culprits, and we could be next. Our collective decisions have brought about colossal changes in the planet we inherited, and we need to act now to provide future generations with a fighting chance of defeating The Cosmic Cancer.

With this volume, Werner Pluhar completes his work on Kant's three Critiques, an accomplishment unique among English language translators of Kant. At once accurate, fluent, and accessible, Pluhar's rendition of the Critique of Practical Reason meets the standards set in his widely respected translations of the Critique of Judgement (1987) and the Critique of Pure Reason (1996).

This textbook explores ethical issues for not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations, providing discussion-oriented cases for NFP and NGP practitioners. The book begins with an introduction to professional ethics as practiced in industry, not-for-profits and NGO’s. Attention is paid both to classical ethical theories and contemporary variants. Then, combining that theory with an introduction to the morally unique facets of the NFP and NGO landscape, it offers a series of cases which pertain to the underlying theoretical substrate. The reader will find a blend of theory and application within the text as well as guided assignment prompts. Themes covered include board relationships, staff management, work with vulnerable populations, financial transparency, Human Resources ethics and ethical dilemmas unique to international operations.

In this book, Russell examines Hume's notion of free will and moral responsibility. It is widely held that Hume presents us with a classic statement of the "compatibilist" position--that freedom and responsibility can be reconciled with causation and, indeed, actually require it. Russell argues that this is a distortion of Hume's view, because it overlooks the crucial role of moral sentiment in Hume's picture of human nature. Hume was concerned to describe the regular mechanisms which generate moral sentiments such as responsibility, and Russell argues that his conception of free will must be interpreted within this naturalistic framework. He goes on to discuss Hume's views about the nature and character of moral sentiment; the extent to which we have control over our moral character; and the justification of punishment. Throughout, Russell argues that the naturalistic avenue of interpretation of Hume's thought, far from draining it of its contemporary interest and significance, reveals it to be of great relevance to the ongoing contemporary debate.

As a living and evolving tradition, Confucianism has been continuously defined and redefined in response to the changing political and social context of China's history. Extending this effort in reconstructing Confucianism, philosopher Chenyang Li critically analyzes and develops a series of core ideas that originated from classic Confucian texts and does so in the context of contemporary scholarly discourse. These core ideas include he (dynamic harmony), ren (care-centered virtue), li (ritual propriety), xiao (filial care), bie (gender equilibrium), you (friendship), shou (longevity), sheng (sagehood), ziyou (freedom), ping (equality), zheng (politics), and jiao (civic education). Li combines in-depth analysis of historical teachings with systematic deliberation on their contemporary significance, reflecting the current state of the field of research. Each chapter shows how seminal ideas in Confucianism were conceived and developed by ancient thinkers and how these ideas can be reconstructed and aligned in a sensible Confucian philosophy that responds to contemporary challenges. Over the course of its survey of Confucian philosophy, the book raises and investigates fundamental questions: How central is harmony as a Confucian value? Can Confucian sages be wrong? Is Xunzi's philosophy of filial care more progressive than Confucius' and hence more suitable in contemporary society? What is the best form of Confucian gender equality today? Is the model of "politics without politicians" a viable way for realizing the Confucian political ideal of the good society? Study questions are provided for each chapter to assist students to comprehend key points and develop their own views.

Expertise has almost become synonymous with certainty, knowledge, and definitive answers. We live in a world where everyone is expected to know what they’re talking about, make the right decisions, and be effective in their pursuits. A direct consequence of this is the discouragement of asking questions, sometimes leading to an increasing sense of impostor syndrome, while at other times, resulting in a lack of self-awareness and an acute sense of alienation at work and in life. But is there another way, one that perhaps values curiosity, belief questioning, and uncertainty? This book suggests that a philosophical mindset may offer a possible remedy to this problem. It does so by exploring the importance of asking questions, questioning our assumptions, embracing and navigating uncertainty and adversity, and finding meaning in them, as well as exploring ethical decision-making frameworks. Whether you’re a business leader or a professional, this book invites you to look at the problems you’re facing at work and in your life from a fresh perspective, using basic philosophical tools, stories, and real-life examples.