Contemporary Debates in Social Philosophy

Contemporary Debates in Social Philosophy
Author: Laurence Thomas
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2009-02-04
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 0470766476

In this important and engaging volume, international scholars present opposing viewpoints to debate ten of the most important issues in contemporary social philosophy. Provides an original analysis of some of society’s most pressing issues Written by an outstanding cast of international scholars Issues covered include the nature of freedom, the limits of religious tolerance, affirmative action, parenting, the death penalty, privacy, violence, world hunger, social diversity, homosexuality, and abortion Invites the reader to participate in the exchange of arguments

Key Debates in Social Work and Philosophy

Key Debates in Social Work and Philosophy
Author: Tom Grimwood
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 204
Release: 2015-09-16
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1317800214

In order to practice effectively in today’s complex and changing environment, social workers need to have an understanding of how contemporary cultural and philosophical concepts relate to the people they work with and the fields they practice in. Exploring the ideas of philosophers, including Nietzsche, Gadamer, Taylor, Adorno, MacIntyre, Zizek and Derrida, this text demonstrates their relevance to social work practice and presents new approaches and frameworks to understanding social change. Key Debates in Social Work and Philosophy introduces a range of concerns central to social work and social care, with chapters looking at questions such as: - What is the ‘self’? - How are communities formed? - Why is ‘choice’ important? - Are certain rights really applicable to all humans? - What are the political and ethical implications of documenting your practice? - What does it mean to be a professional social worker? Each chapter focuses on a particular area of dispute, presenting the relevant philosophical theories, and considering how relevant social work examples and research can be used to further inform theoretical debate, and includes questions to prompt discussion and reflection. The only book to examine the philosophical ideas that underlie and inform contemporary issues for social work and social care practitioners, this is a useful resource for those studying social work theory, policy and practice.

Debates in Contemporary Political Philosophy

Debates in Contemporary Political Philosophy
Author: Derek Matravers
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 468
Release: 2003
Genre: Political science
ISBN: 9780415302111

This textbook provides a comprehensive collection of influential essays that present a balanced survey of the major ideas that have come out of political philosophy in the last two decades.

Contemporary Debates in Philosophy of Science

Contemporary Debates in Philosophy of Science
Author: Christopher Hitchcock
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Total Pages: 364
Release: 2004-01-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781405101516

Contemporary Debates in Philosophy of Science contains sixteen original essays by leading authors in the philosophy of science, each one defending the affirmative or negative answer to one of eight specific questions, including: Are there laws of social science? Are causes physically connected to their effects? Is the mind a system of modules shaped by natural selection? Brings together fresh debates on eight of the most controversial issues in the philosophy of science. Questions addressed include: “Are there laws of social science?”; “Are causes physically connected to their effects?”; “Is the mind a system of modules shaped by natural selection?” Each question is treated by a pair of opposing essays written by eminent scholars, and especially commissioned for the volume. Lively debate format sharply defines the issues, and paves the way for further discussion. Will serve as an accessible introduction to the major topics in contemporary philosophy of science, whilst also capturing the imagination of professional philosophers.

Contemporary Debates in Political Philosophy

Contemporary Debates in Political Philosophy
Author: Thomas Christiano
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Total Pages: 492
Release: 2009-05-04
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN:

This collection of 24 essays, written by eminent philosophers and political theorists, brings together fresh debates on some of the most fundamental questions in contemporary political philosophy, including human rights, equality, constitutionalism, the value of democracy, identity and political neutrality. Presents fresh debates on six of the fundamental questions in contemporary political philosophy Each question is treated by a pair of opposing essays written by eminent scholars Lively debate format sharply defines the issues, invites the reader to participate in the exchange of arguments and paves the way for further discussion Will serve as an accessible introduction to the major topics in political philosophy, whilst also capturing the imagination of professional philosophers Offers the unique opportunity to observe leading philosophers engaging in head-to-head debate

Questioning Ethics

Questioning Ethics
Author: Mark Dooley
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2002-09-11
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1134679246

This major discussion takes a look at some of the most important ethical issues confronting us today by some of the world’s leading thinkers. Including essays from leading thinkers, such as Jurgen Habermas, Alasdair MacIntyre, Julia Kristeva and Paul Ricoeur, the book’s highlight – an interview with Jacques Derrida - presents the most accessible insight into his thinking on ethics and politics for many years. Exploring topics ranging from history, memory, revisionism, and the self and responsibility to democracy, multiculturalism, feminism and the future of politics, the essays are grouped into five thematic sections: * hermeneutics * deconstruction * critical theory * psychoanalysis * applied ethics. Each section considers the challenges posed by ethics and how critical thinking has transformed philosophy today. Questioning Ethics affords an unsurpassed overview of the state of ethical thinking today by some of the world’s foremost philosophers.

Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics

Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics
Author: Andrew I. Cohen
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 601
Release: 2014-01-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1118479874

Now in an updated edition with fresh perspectives on high-profile ethical issues such as torture and same-sex marriage, this collection pairs cogently argued essays by leading philosophers with opposing views on fault-line public concerns. Revised and updated new edition with six new pairs of essays on prominent contemporary issues including torture and same-sex marriage, and a survey of theories of ethics by Stephen Darwall Leading philosophers tackle colleagues with opposing views in contrasting essays on core issues in applied ethics An ideal semester-length course text certain to generate vigorous discussion

Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics

Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics
Author: Theodore Sider
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 416
Release: 2013-05-20
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1118712323

In a series of thought-provoking and original essays, eighteenleading philosophers engage in head-to-head debates of nine of themost cutting edge topics in contemporary metaphysics. Explores the fundamental questions in contemporary metaphysicsin a series of eighteen original essays - 16 of which are newlycommissioned for this volume Features an introductory essay by the editors on the nature ofmetaphysics to prepare the reader for ongoing discussions Offers readers the unique opportunity to observe leadingphilosophers engage in head-to-head debate on cutting-edgemetaphysical topics Provides valuable insights into the flourishing field ofcontemporary metaphysics

Contemporary African Social and Political Philosophy

Contemporary African Social and Political Philosophy
Author: Albert Kasanda
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 363
Release: 2018-05-11
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 1351209906

This book explores what constitutes contemporary African social and political philosophy with regard to its meaning, aims, sources, and relevance for today’s Africa. Kasanda denounces conventional approaches considering these either as a subcategory of general philosophy or as the ideological attempts of individual African leaders and professional philosophers, such as Nkrumah, Nyerere, Senghor, Fanon, Hountondji and Towa. On the contrary, Kasanda defines contemporary African social and political philosophy as an inclusive reflection of African communities with regard to power and equitable modes of social and political organization in order to promote human excellence for everyone. This perspective also includes the criticism of social and political concepts in use within African communities. The author postulates that contemporary African social and political philosophy relies on the legacy of precolonial African societies, as well as on the contribution of the diaspora throughout the world. Contemporary African social and political philosophy is rooted in the daily lives of African people, and it expresses itself through multiple modalities including, for example, art, religion, literature, music and the policy of urbanization of African cities. This book sheds new light on debates concerning topics such as ethnophilosophy, negritude, pan-Africanism, democracy, African civil society, African cultures, and globalization. It aims to ward off the lethargy that strikes African social and political philosophy, taking a renewed and critical approach.

Contemporary Debates in Bioethics

Contemporary Debates in Bioethics
Author: Arthur L. Caplan
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 538
Release: 2013-09-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1444337149

A unique guide to the design and implementation of simulation software This book offers a concise introduction to the art of building simulation software, collecting the most important concepts and algorithms in one place. Written for both individuals new to the field of modeling and simulation as well as experienced practitioners, this guide explains the design and implementation of simulation software used in the engineering of large systems while presenting the relevant mathematical elements, concept discussions, and code development. The book approaches the topic from the perspective of Zeigler’s theory of modeling and simulation, introducing the theory’s fundamental concepts and showing how to apply them to engineering problems. Readers will learn five necessary skills for building simulations of complicated systems: Working with fundamental abstractions for simulating dynamic systems Developing basic simulation algorithms for continuous and discrete event models Combining continuous and discrete event simulations into a coherent whole Applying strategies for testing a simulation Understanding the theoretical foundations of the modeling constructs and simulation algorithms The central chapters of the book introduce, explain, and demonstrate the elements of the theory that are most important for building simulation tools. They are bracketed by applications to robotics, control and communications, and electric power systems; these comprehensive examples clearly illustrate how the concepts and algorithms are put to use. Readers will explore the design of object-oriented simulation programs, simulation using multi-core processors, and the integration of simulators into larger software systems. The focus on software makes this book particularly useful for computer science and computer engineering courses in simulation that focus on building simulators. It is indispensable reading for undergraduate and graduate students studying modeling and simulation, as well as for practicing scientists and engineers involved in the development of simulation tools.