Revealing Philosophy

Revealing^® Philosophy explores the traditional categories of logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and aesthetics. But the text is anything but traditional. The self-paced and highly responsive format of Revealing^® Philosophy is infused with material that provides a more comprehensive approach to philosophy in the Western tradition than most contemporary textbooks, including feminist, indigenous, American, and non-Western philosophies. Concrete examples drawn from history, contemporary culture, and literature capture the imagination of the student prior to exploring a philosophical topic.

Students who engage this introductory text will receive a solid grounding in the Western philosophic tradition. They will be introduced to a diverse set of philosophies that provide the critical thinking skills necessary in a cosmopolitan and multicultural society. The text does not shy away from challenging and controversial ethical, epistemological, or metaphysical topics.

Students are prompted to write journal entries that allow for reflection and critical application of ideas. Rather than treat each philosopher as merely a talking head, “spotlight” pages dig deeper into the lives and context of various thinkers bringing their philosophies alive. Pillars of the Western tradition (such as Plato, Aquinas, Locke, and Kant) are addressed, but so too are diverse figures who are not usually included in standard philosophy textbooks (such as Angela Davis, Jane Addams, W.E.B. DuBois, Nāgārjuna, Jaegwon Kim, and Mulla Sadra). Extensive use of quoted material and links to full texts give the student opportunities to read selections of original works.

About the Author: Maurice Hamington, Ph.D. (Portland State University)

Maurice Hamington is Professor of Philosophy,  Executive Director of University Studies at Portland State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Oregon, a Ph.D. in Religion and Social Ethics, and an M.B.A. and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from the University of Southern California. He has taught philosophy for over thirty years. Maurice has authored four books:  Care Ethics and Poetry with Ce Rosenow (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019; The Social Philosophy of Jane Addams (University of Illinois Press, 2009); Embodied Care (University of Illinois Press, 2004); and, Hail Mary? The Struggle for Ultimate Womanhood in Catholicism (Routledge, 1995).   Maurice has also edited many books and published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and chapters in academic books.  He has won awards for his research at the University of Southern Indiana and Metropolitan State University of Denver. His edited volume, Contemporary Feminist Pragmatism, was named an Outstanding Book of 2012 by the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language, and Gender.