Core Questions in Philosophy
Elliott Sober author Joel Velasco author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Published:11th Dec '25
Should be back in stock very soon

In this 9th edition of Core Questions in Philosophy, Elliott Sober and Joel Velasco use an engaging lecture-style format to show students how philosophy is best used to evaluate many different kinds of arguments and to construct sound theories. Well-known historical texts are discussed, not as a means to honor the dead or merely to describe what various philosophers have thought, but to engage with, criticize, and even improve ideas from the past. In addition - because philosophy cannot function apart from its engagement with the wider society - traditional and contemporary philosophical problems are brought into dialogue with the physical, biological, and social sciences. Text boxes highlight key concepts, and review questions, discussion questions, and a glossary of terms are also included.
Core Questions in Philosophy has served as a premier introductory textbook for three decades, with updates to each new edition.
Key updates to this 9th edition include:
- A new concluding chapter on the meaning of life
- The integration of non-Western thinkers throughout the book
- Expanded discussions on utilitarianism, virtue ethics, free will, and epistemology
- Updated material from philosophy and empirical research throughout
Revisions to the online list of recommended resources include:
- Additional recommendations of supplementary readings, with updated source links to all reading material
- New recommended videos and podcasts, all organized by their relevance to each chapter in the book <
Praise for the previous editions:
"A really excellent introduction to philosophy does the following: meets the student at their level, then takes them up a notch, and approaches traditional topics in unique and interesting ways. This book does those things."
-- Fred Adams, University of Delaware
ISBN: 9781032794259
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 700g
360 pages
9th edition