Adapted from Robert C. Solomon's internationally successful Introducing Philosophy, this fully revised Canadian edition engages students with the core philosophical problems that have shaped human thought throughout history. Each chapter focuses on a central topic, combining primary-source readings with comprehensive analysis to illuminate essential questions about reality, religion, knowledge, mind-body relationships, freedom, ethics, and justice. Arguing that philosophical approaches are accessible and useful to everyone, the authors examine perspectives not only from Western and non-Western philosophers, but also from leading scientists, psychologists, literary figures, politicians, and social commentators. With readings that range from the oldest known fragments to excerpts from contemporary texts, Introducing Philosophy for Canadians shows that philosophy is as vital today as it was in ancient times.

Robert C. Solomon's profile page

Douglas McDermid's profile page

Robert C. Solomon (deceased) was Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Business and Philosophy and Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author or editor of more than forty books, including The Little Philosophy Book (2007), True to Our Feelings (2006), Honest Work (2006), The Joy of Philosophy (2003), and A Short History of Philosophy (1996), all published by Oxford. Robert Solomon lectured and gave seminars around the world, in addition to producing several video and audio 'Superstar Teacher' courses for the Teaching Company.

Douglas McDermid is associate professor of philosophy at Trent University. Prior to his arrival at Trent, he spent two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the Instituto de Investigaciones at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Mexico City, followed by two years in a tenure track position at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia. In addition to publishing over twenty articles in various journals and edited volumes, McDermid published The Varieties of Pragmatism (2006) with Continuum Press. McDermid's primary research interests are in epistemology, metaphysics, and the history of modern philosophy.

"The accessibility of the text is quite good; the connecting and explanatory materials are at no point dumbed down, yet they are very clear." --Kent Peacock, University of Lethbridge

"This is obviously an extremely good textbook . . . with detailed excerpts from all the major figures throughout the centuries." --Michael Stack, University of Manitoba