If I were teaching an introductory course in philosophy, in most places I'd choose Palmer's Does the Center Hold, because most people who take such courses do not want to be there and that text takes a light touch to the subject. If I had a room of philosophy majors, or if I had a room filled with students above the college average these days, I would choose this work by Solomon. I'll admit to being biased toward this author; he strikes me as one of very few who is capable of both thinking and having an honest-to-God emotional capacity. I cannot say the same for many of his brethren. His openness to questions of an existential sort shows in this text, which is more balanced than most. The text includes many short excerpts instead of a few long ones. It is also unusual in that it incorporates Eastern philosophical approaches as well as Western ones, even feminist and multicultural views which are often omitted elsewhere. After a brief introduction into the nature of philosophy and of logic, ten chapters of readings and exposition cover the major areas of philosophical enquiry: reality, knowledge, truth, necessity, religion, self-identity, mind and body, freedom, ethics, justice and society, and beauty. The major figures (and not a few minor ones) and terminology of philosophy are introduced in context with very clear explanations of the issues at hand. The text does not dryly pontificate to students; it invites them with empathy to explore some of the most meaningful questions of existence. Each chapter is followed by a glossary and brief further reading list. I heartily recommend this book.

This is a modern undergrad text with selected readings from a wide spectrum of important contributors to the philisophical discourse. It also includes annotation and comments to help the reader in analysis and understanding. ( )