Kirjahaku

The Road Traveled and Other Essays presents the recent work of philosopher and educator Steven M. Cahn. This book offers his latest reflections on the nature of well-being, the rationality of religious belief, and the aims of higher education. Also included are a selection of his challenging philosophical puzzles. The work concludes with a detailed account of his career as a faculty member, foundation executive, and university administrator. ""Professor Cahn's mastery of the art of philosophical writing shines on every page of this superb volume. Its capstone is an autobiographical essay charting his fascinating academic and professional journey."" --Robert B. Talisse, Vanderbilt University ""These essays are clear and concise gems. They are always straightforward, controversial, and convincing."" --Alan H. Goldman, College of William and Mary ""Steven M. Cahn, for fifty years a force in philosophy and higher education, offers these wise reflections on happiness, academic life, belief in God, the politics of hiring in departments, affirmative action, and the path of his own career. A thoroughly enjoyable read by a professor who has been at the center of many important, contemporary controversies and who helped shape some of the key events."" --Gregory Pence, University of Alabama at Birmingham Steven M. Cahn is professor emeritus of philosophy at the City University of New York Graduate Center, where he served for nearly a decade as provost and vice president for academic affairs, then as acting president. He is the author or editor of more than sixty books. Most recently he wrote From Student to Scholar: A Candid Guide to Becoming a Professor; Religion Within Reason; Teaching Philosophy: A Guide; and Inside Academia: Professors, Politics, and Policies.

Steven M. Cahn has succeeded in articulating a defense of a particularly valuable conception of higher education in the liberal arts. He presents acute logical analyses in a clear, readable style. In particular, his critique of a too facile concern with 'relevance, ' his insistence on the importance of standards and, above all, his account of the importance of liberal arts education to democracy should be read by educators and policymakers alike. Even those who ultimately reject Cahn's position surely would profit from having to wrestle with his arguments. ROBERT L. SIMON Professor of Philosophy, Hamilton College Clinton, New York Education and the Democratic Ideal is a closely reasoned study of grading, assignments, examinations, and other tactical issues. Because of this it is a real departure from most discussion of university education, and the more to be valued. RONALD BERMAN Past Chairman National Endowment for the Humanitie

An accessible and engaging introduction to philosophical inquiry, this book concentrates on topics of greatest interest to beginning students: the nature and tools of philosophy, free will, philosophy of religion, ethics, and social philosophy. The work throughout is clearly written and carefully argued.

This book is the first full-length treatment of the philosophical problem of fatalism, the thesis that the laws of logic alone suffice to prove that no person ever acts freely. After a critical examination of the history of the problem, from Aristotle through Stoic and medieval thought, Cahn analyzes contemporary discussions of the issue, revealing how a belief in free will is logically connected to specific assumptions about the truth-value of propositions and the nature of time.

Too many professors view themselves primarily not as teachers but researchers. How can the system be changed so that success in the classroom will be promoted and receive greater emphasis? Noted philosopher and educator Steven M. Cahn presents proposals to achieve that end, including changes in graduate education, the appointment process, the evaluation of teaching, the tenure system, and the choice of administrators. Filled with actual examples from academic life, the book is jargon-free and compellingly argued.

Too many professors view themselves primarily not as teachers but researchers. How can the system be changed so that success in the classroom will be promoted and receive greater emphasis? Noted philosopher and educator Steven M. Cahn presents proposals to achieve that end, including changes in graduate education, the appointment process, the evaluation of teaching, the tenure system, and the choice of administrators. Filled with actual examples from academic life, the book is jargon-free and compellingly argued.

For over fifty years Steven M. Cahn has been a prolific contributor to discussions of philosophical and educational issues. In this volume he has chosen his favorite articles from the 1960s to the present, reflecting his long-standing interests in the concept of free will, the rationality of religious belief, the insights of John Dewey, the affirmative action debate, the aims of higher education, and the nature of living well. Also included are several philosophical puzzles. Professor Cahn is a noted teacher and lecturer, and these essays reflect his skills at explaining complex ideas with clarity and defending challenging positions with cogency. His work demonstrates how philosophical inquiry can be both engaging and enlightening.

For over fifty years Steven M. Cahn has been a prolific contributor to discussions of philosophical and educational issues. In this volume he has chosen his favorite articles from the 1960s to the present, reflecting his long-standing interests in the concept of free will, the rationality of religious belief, the insights of John Dewey, the affirmative action debate, the aims of higher education, and the nature of living well. Also included are several philosophical puzzles. Professor Cahn is a noted teacher and lecturer, and these essays reflect his skills at explaining complex ideas with clarity and defending challenging positions with cogency. His work demonstrates how philosophical inquiry can be both engaging and enlightening.

This volume completes a trilogy of Steven M. Cahn's shorter writings that includes The Road Traveled and Other Essays (2019) and A Philosopher's Journey (2020). Included here are his contributions to three philosophical debates: first, whether events are fated to occur; second, whether God is knowable; and third, whether morality can conflict with happiness. The book contains not only Cahn's essays but also edited versions of the writings to which he is responding, thereby putting his remarks into context and rendering them accessible to all. These pieces make clear why Professor Cahn is regarded as one of the leading philosophy teachers of his generation.

Drawing on decades of experience as a renowned teacher, advisor, administrator, and philosopher, Steven M. Cahn diagnoses problems plaguing America’s universities and offers his prescriptions for improvement. He explores numerous aspects of academic life, including the education of graduate students, the quality of teaching, the design of liberal arts curricula, and the procedures for appointing faculty and considering them for tenure. Inside Academia uses real cases to illustrate how faculty members, deans, and provosts often do not serve the best interests of schools or students. Yet the book also highlights efforts of those who have committed themselves and their institutions to the pursuit of academic excellence.

Drawing on decades of experience as a renowned teacher, advisor, administrator, and philosopher, Steven M. Cahn diagnoses problems plaguing America’s universities and offers his prescriptions for improvement. He explores numerous aspects of academic life, including the education of graduate students, the quality of teaching, the design of liberal arts curricula, and the procedures for appointing faculty and considering them for tenure. Inside Academia uses real cases to illustrate how faculty members, deans, and provosts often do not serve the best interests of schools or students. Yet the book also highlights efforts of those who have committed themselves and their institutions to the pursuit of academic excellence.