Table of Contents

Introduction
Part I: Reading Philosophy Assignments
Part II: Reading Philosophical Texts
1. Reading Historical Texts
2. Close Reading for Alternative Meanings
3. Drawing Inferences
4. Discovering Arguments
5. Finding and Resolving Inconsistencies
Part III: Writing Philosophy - Content
1. Brainstorming and Outlining
2. Summarizing a Philosophical Argument
3. Elaborating
4. Responding Critically
5. Arguing
6. Introductions and Conclusions
Part IV: Writing Philosophy - Style
1. Writing Clearly
2. Using Quotations
3. Common Errors
Index

Promotional Information

Built around practical exercises, this book helps students to practise and master core reading and writing skills crucial to the successful study of philosophy.

About the Author

Chris Case is an Instructor of Philosophy at the United States Military Academy, West Point, USA. He is also a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Army Profession and Ethic.

Bob Underwood is an Instructor of Philosophy at the United States Military Academy, West Point, USA. He is also a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Army Profession and Ethic.

Reviews

One of the most challenging things about teaching introductory courses in philosophy is that our memory of our own experience as a student is often the worst guide to teaching. The Philosophy Skills Book understands what philosophy looks like for a typical intro student rather than for the student who will end up in graduate school. It isolates the most basic questions -- how to read a text, what do these words mean that the teacher thinks we know -- and explains them in a way that students can understand. It is a great resource for both students and professors.
*John Immerwahr, Professor of Philosophy, Villanova University, USA*

The Philosophy Skills Book is a unique book.It recognizes that philosophy is not just a body of knowledge but also a set of skills, and since skills take practice to develop, the book presents the student with a wealth of hands-on exercises that hone these skills. Students who do these exercises will be better thinkers on account of them. Teachers of philosophy will also find the book to be a valuable tool for enhancing their classes and improving their learning outcomes.
*Craig Duncan, Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophy, Ithaca College, USA *