The Modern Scholar: Discovering the Philosopher in You: The Big Questons in Philosophy

This is a great book for everyone with an interest in philosophy. I've read many books about many subjects in philosophy and one thing that usually made me give up on them was the fact that most of them are books of history of philosophy. This book was exactly what I was looking for, it tackles the questions themselves and the history, names and quotes are only there to provide the references. It's very well written and narrated, I never had trouble understanding it and I don't even speak English natively, it's never dull, the concepts flow very well and I learned a lot from it.

"Fun" is the last word I would have used to describe philosophy had I'd been asked a few months ago. Other adjectives such as "boring," and "unpractical" seemed to fit the matter, or in the very least "I don't pay attention to that stuff."

As McGinn says in the introduction, everyone has an inner-philosopher, and in this relatively short book, he introduces the topics we've all asked yourselves at some point in a thoughtful and illustrative manner. I've enjoyed bringing up the experimental questions from this book with my friends and family, and having fun, meaningful discussions about all the things we've always wondered about. Is there a God? What is the meaning of life? What makes something right or wrong? Do we have free-will?

I wish I had been introduced to philosophy a long time ago, and "The Modern Scholar: Discovering the Philosopher in You" was an incredibly easy way to familiarize myself with the main topics that philosophers have been discussing for thousands of years... questions I've even asked myself without realizing how closely related it was to philosophy. It was like learning about the galaxies for the first time and how wide and expansive the universe of ideas actually is.

I'll never see the world the same way again. My mind has been opened just a little bit more.

This is an excellent overview of the basic questions in philosophy. My own interest lies more in political and legal philosophy, but learning about these fundamental problems and particularly the thought processes of working on them helped me become a better teacher and hopefully a better thinker.

Since listening I find that I encourage my students to think for themselves instead of trying to give them the "right" conclusion. I see my role as laying out the questions and making sure they don't confuse themselves on the concepts. It is that spirit of inquiry and independence, on the solid basis of logic and clarity, that lies at the heart of all intellectual endeavor. I have gained a new appreciation of philosophy, which is at base curiosity about the world and ourselves--truly a love of knowledge.

The great content of the lecture series is only enhanced by Professor McGinn's warm narration and beautifully clear intonation. I highly recommend this lecture series.

A good introductory guide to the world of philosophy. The Professor is informative and passionate and does his best to remain neutral.

However when it comes to argument on the topic of God and the relationship between Faith and Reason his thoughts should be supplemented by Professor Peter Kreeft's Faith and Reason, also in the Modern Scholar Series.

Philosophy has a limited number of concepts and questions that animate the field and professor McGinn introduces them all with skill. I appreciated the fact professor McGinn made it clear which arguments are most convincing to him, he is no overly evasive professor that keeps his own view hidden. McGinn is famous for his mysterian arguments, and his book the Mysterious Flame is a very interesting argument attempting to show that the mind cannot be explained in physical terms. However his strong views were not forced upon the reader, rather he showed how a serious person tends to take up a position and that this can actually help illuminate the field. Very enjoyable and interesting to anyone no matter their level of exposure to philosophy.

Yes. It is very enlightening on the big questions for the most part, but it does fall short on the question of God and does not address death as a component with that or any other big issue in philosophy. It does not deal wth life after death which seems to reflect on the total failure of dealing with the question of God.

The author is very adept at being objective and speaking from that point of view for the most part. He is also very knowledgeable and lucid giving information and insight that develops the theme along very logical lines.

His presentation carries a perspective that brings an insight into what the narrative delivers. One can discern from his voice and its fluctuations and tone what he means by the words where one might give a heavier interpretation to a different pursuasion if one did not hear him speak them.

Developing an Understanding of the Fundamental Philosophical Questions of Life.

The book was very engaging and easy to follow and it does cover the fundamental questions of life that are not addressed in other forums as they have a philosophical nature. It was very comforting even, to delve into these questions and become informed and enlightened in a way that spawns good logical thinking.

Colin's verbal delivery is probably this work's strongest aspect

This book isn't a novel with a surprise ending, its an introduction to philosophy. However, as an introductory work on philosophy it left me feeling wanting.

This book doesn't have scenes.

It's an introduction to an academic discipline, so, obviously, and there are many works already in circulation that fill such a role.

Actually making a point without belaboring it. I agree with L.R. Lindsay: "Droning." I will probably finish it since I only have about another 1 1/2 hours to go (incredible that the audio book is less than 8 hours....it seemed so much longer). But really...is this the sort of stuff that occupies the minds of great thinkers?

No. The subject matter is interesting to me, but I'd prefer to have the topics delivered as if the author assumed I possessef some analytical capabilities.

Not much.

Wouldn't cut any...I'd just prefer that the topics not be beaten to death.

Too academic, superficial yet longwinded, not stimulating enough. Feels like Colin McGin either just hit the "play button" and sang his song while watching Oprah on TV, or perhaps he was too bored to get into the basics of Philosophy, again?

Yes!

If you truly want to be stimulated or be accompanied along the Big Questions in Philosophy, keep looking for another book.

It's not for those who know Philosophy or those looking to be introduced.

No.

No.

His hesitant voice and one level, rattling speech pattern.

The book asks the most interesting questions we possess in the Universe; yet answers them with nothing but banality. I couldn't even finish.