Well-being, happiness and quality of life are now established objects of social and medical research. Does this science produce knowledge that is properly about well-being? What sort of well-being? The definition and measurement of these objects rest on assumptions that are partly normative, partly empirical and partly pragmatic, producing a great diversity of definitions depending on the project and the discipline. This book, written from the perspective of philosophy of science, formulates principles for the responsible production and interpretation of this diverse knowledge. Traditionally, philosophers' goal has been a single concept of well-being and a single theory about what it consists in. But for science this goal is both unlikely and unnecessary. Instead the promise and authority of the science depends on it focusing on the well-being of specific kinds of people in specific contexts. Skeptical arguments notwithstanding, this contextual well-being can be measured in a valid and credible way - but only if scientists broaden their methods to make room for normative considerations and address publicly and inclusively the value-based conflicts that inevitably arise when a measure of well-being is adopted. The science of well-being can be normative, empirical and objective all at once, provided that we line up values to science and science to values.

"A departure at right angles to thinking in the modern Western world. An important, original work, that should get the widest possible hearing" (Iain McGilchrist, author of The Master and his Emissary) Middle Way Philosophy is not about compromise, but about the avoidance of dogma and the integration of conflicting assumptions. To rely on experience as our guide, we need to avoid the interpretation of experience through unnecessary dogmas. Drawing on a range of influences in Buddhist practice, Western philosophy and psychology, Middle Way Philosophy questions alike the assumptions of scientific naturalism, religious revelation and political absolutism, trying to separate what addresses experience in these doctrines from what is merely assumed. This Omnibus edition of Middle Way Philosophy includes all four of the volumes previously published separately: 1. The Path of Objectivity, 2. The Integration of Desire, 3. The Integration of Meaning, and 4. The Integration of Belief.

Volume XVIII. Special Issue: Gian-Carlo Rota and The End of Objectivity, 2019

Many of the classic questions of philosophy have been raised, illuminated, and addressed in celluloid. In this Third Edition of Philosophy through Film, Mary M. Litch teams up with a new co-author, Amy Karofsky, to show readers how to watch films with a sharp eye for their philosophical content. Together, the authors help students become familiar with key topics in all of the major areas in Western philosophy and master the techniques of philosophical argumentation. The perfect size and scope for a first course in philosophy, the book assumes no prior knowledge of philosophy. It is an excellent teaching resource and learning tool, introducing students to key topics and figures in philosophy through thematic chapters, each of which is linked to one or more "focus films" that illustrate a philosophical problem or topic. Revised and expanded, the Third Edition features: A completely revised chapter on "Relativism," now re-titled "Truth" with coverage of the correspondence theory, the pragmatist theory, and the coherence theory. The addition of four new focus films: Inception, Moon, Gone Baby Gone, God on Trial. Revisions to the General Introduction that include a discussion of critical reasoning. Revisions to the primary readings to better meet the needs of instructors and students, including the addition of three new primary readings: excerpts from Bertrand Russell’s The Problems of Philosophy, from William James’ Pragmatism: A New Way for Some Old Ways of Thinking, and from J. L. Mackie’s "Evil and Omnipotence". Updates and expansion to the companion website, including a much expanded list of films relevant to the various subfields of philosophy. Films examined in depth include: Hilary and Jackie The Matrix Inception Memento Moon I, Robot Minority Report Crimes and Misdemeanors Gone Baby Gone Antz Equilibrium The Seventh Seal God on Trial Leaving Las Vegas

How does science work? Does it tell us what the world is “really” like? What makes it different from other ways of understanding the universe? In Theory and Reality, Peter Godfrey-Smith addresses these questions by taking the reader on a grand tour of more than a hundred years of debate about science. The result is a completely accessible introduction to the main themes of the philosophy of science. Examples and asides engage the beginning student, a glossary of terms explains key concepts, and suggestions for further reading are included at the end of each chapter. Like no other text in this field, Theory and Reality combines a survey of recent history of the philosophy of science with current key debates that any beginning scholar or critical reader can follow. The second edition is thoroughly updated and expanded by the author with a new chapter on truth, simplicity, and models in science.

The powerful message in The Kennedy Legacy: It’s Time to Fulfill It is that the original American culture, which was created and shaped by our colonial ancestors, is near death. Linda Rae Hermann traces the demise of our inherited culture with its traditions of civility. Without these traditions, the fabric of society has been unraveling. Children killing children and multiple massacres are just a few of the consequences from the loss of our original culture. In other words, Americans have become more uncivilized. The author takes us on a journey back to our beginnings and up to the present, focusing on the 1960s when the cultural revolution accelerated. She draws from academic knowledge as well as personal experiences in the sixties as a nun, a Hippie, and a convert in the Jesus Movement. After reading this book, you will understand that American culture has been changed. You will understand the role John F. Kennedy was supposed to have played in preserving that culture. You will understand what forces caused the demise of American culture. Finally, you will learn how to restore the original culture along with the traditions and institutions upon which our nation’s social and political soundness depends.

Philosophy of Education in Action is an innovative, inquiry-based introductory text that invites readers to study philosophy of education through the lens of their own observations and experiences. Structured according to a "Wonder Model of Inquiry," each chapter begins by posing a fundamental What if question about curriculum, pedagogy, and the role of the school before investigating the various philosophical perspectives that guide and influence educational practices. Classroom vignettes and examples of actual schools and educational programs help to ground philosophical perspectives in real-world scenarios, while the book’s unique inquiry-based approach leads students to both think critically about philosophical questions and apply the concepts to their own teaching. Features of the text include: What if questions that structure each chapter to pique students' curiosity, stimulate creativity, and promote critical thinking. Authentic classroom vignettes that encourage students to analyze what it means to "do" philosophy and to reflect upon their own practices, examine their role in the educational process, and articulate their own philosophical beliefs. A concluding section asking readers to imagine and design their own hypothetical school or classroom as a project-based means of analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating the different philosophies discussed. Accessible and thought-provoking, Philosophy of Education in Action provides a dynamic learning experience for readers to understand and apply philosophy in educational practice.

Introduction to Manufacturing Systems is written for all college- and university-level manufacturing, industrial technology, engineering technology, industrial design, engineering, business management and other related disciplines where there is an interest in learning about manufacturing systems as a complete system. Even lay people will find this book useful in their quest to learn more about the field. Its simple and easy-to-understand language makes it particularly useful to all readers. The field of manufacturing is a world of its own which bears on almost all other disciplines. This book is not necessarily a “how to” material that teaches one how to manufacture a product, but rather an aid to help learners gain a more complete understanding of “what is in it” and “what happens in the field”. Thus, this book will provide more comprehensive information about manufacturing. It is intended to introduce every interested person to what manufacturing is, its diverse components, and the various activities and tasks that are undertaken in its many and diverse departments. It should serve as an introductory material to beginning college manufacturing and related majors. Over the years, I have learned that most of these beginners are ill equipped with key aspects of manufacturing when they arrive. This group also includes all technical- and business-minded individuals who enroll or train in trade, business, engineering, vocational and technical programs and institutions. This book is divided into 12 very distinctive chapters that are closely arranged to follow manufacturing activities as sequentially as possible, to help readers follow a rather continuous thread of activities generally undertaken in the industry. Its chapters cover various topics including different types, techniques or methods, and philosophies of manufacturing; manufacturing plants and facilities; manufacturing machines; tools and production tooling; manufacturing processes; manufacturing materials and material handling systems; measurement instruments; manufacturing personnel; manufactured products; and planning, implementing, controlling and improving manufacturing systems.

A guide to methods in analytical political theory, offering concrete advice and clear examples of good and bad practice.