25 Philosophy
Analyzing Meaning: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics
Paul R. Kroeger
2018
Licence: CC BY
This open textbook provides an introduction to the study of meaning in human language, from a linguistic perspective including foundational concepts, word meanings, implicature (including indirect speech acts), compositional semantics, modals, conditionals, and causation and tense & aspect.
Formats: PDF
Suggested for: PHIL 254
Animal & Ethics 101: Thinking Critically About Animal Rights
Nathan Nobis (Morehouse College)
2018
Licence: CC BY-SA
This book provides an overview of the current debates about the nature and extent of our moral obligations to animals. Which, if any, uses of animals are morally wrong, which are morally permissible (i.e., not wrong) and why? What, if any, moral obligations do we, individually and as a society (and a global community), have towards animals and why? How should animals be treated? Why?
Formats: Online, PDF, and Word
Suggested for: PHIL 255
Applied Ethics Primer
Letitia Meynell and Clarisse Paron (Dalhousie University)
2021
Licence: CC BY-NC
Every applied ethics course requires some brief introduction, survey, or primer on ethical theory and moral decision-making. At the same time, spending too much time on argumentation and normative ethical theory can take precious course time away from the applied issues that are the focus of the course. The Applied Ethics Primer offers a concise introduction to both basic argumentation and normative ethical theory. Somewhat more inclusive than many similar resources, this primer offers students a taste of the truly global history of ethics, while still being squarely focused on providing practical tools for ethical decision-making and is appropriate for any introductory applied ethics course.
Formats: Online, EPUB, and PDF
Suggested for: PHIL 350
A Brief Introduction to Philosophy
Yoni Porat (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology)
2021
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
An introduction to philosophy with selections on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and logic. The emphasis is on exposing students to important philosophers and issues in philosophy. Chapters include multiple-choice questions to test reading comprehension.
Formats: Online, EPUB, and PDF
Suggested for: PHIL 231
A Concise Introduction to Logic
Craig DeLancey (SUNY Oswego)
2017
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA
Concise Introduction to Logic is an introduction to formal logic suitable for undergraduates taking a general education course in logic or critical thinking and is accessible and useful to any interested in gaining a basic understanding of logic. This text takes the unique approach of teaching logic through intellectual history; the author uses examples from important and celebrated arguments in philosophy to illustrate logical principles. The text also includes a basic introduction to findings of advanced logic. As indicators of where the student could go next with logic, the book closes with an overview of advanced