Philosophy Faculty Books

A gallery of books by faculty in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, College of Arts & Letters, Old Dominion University.

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J.S. Mill: Moral, Social and Political Thought
2010
Dale E. Miller

This book offers a clear and highly readable introduction to the ethical and social-political philosophy of John Stuart Mill. Dale E. Miller argues for a "utopian" reading of Mill's utilitarianism. He analyses Mill's views on happiness and goes on to show the practical, social and political implications that can be drawn from his utilitarianism, especially in relation to the construction of morality, individual freedom, democratic reform, and economic organization. By highlighting the utopian thinking which lies at the heart of Mill's theories, Miller shows that rather than allowing for well-being for the few, Mill believed that a society must do everything in its power to see to it that each individual can enjoy a genuinely happy life if the happiness of its members is to be maximized. Miller provides a cogent and careful account of the main arguments offered by Mill, considers the critical responses to his work, and assesses its legacy for contemporary philosophy. [From Amazon.com]
Facebook and Philosophy: What's on Your Mind?
2010
Dylan E. Wittkower (Editor)

Facebook and Philosophy is an entertaining, multi-faceted exploration of what Facebook means for us and for our relationships. With discussions ranging from the nature of friendship and its relationship to "friending," to the (debatable) efficacy of "online activism," this book is the most extensive and systematic attempt to understand Facebook yet. And with plenty of new perspectives on Twitter and Web 2.0 along the way, this fun, thought-provoking book is a serious and significant contribution for anyone working with social media, whether in academia, journalism, public relations, activism, or business. Exploring far-reaching questions — Can our interactions on Facebook help us care about each other more? Does Facebook signal the death of privacy, or (perhaps worse yet) the death of our desire for privacy? — Facebook and Philosophy is vital reading for anyone involved in social networks today.
Mr. Monk and Philosophy: The Curious Case of the Defective Detective
2010
Dylan E. Wittkower (Editor)

Mr. Monk and Philosophy is a carefully and neatly organized collection of eighteen chapters divided into exactly six groups of precisely three chapters each. Drawing on a wide range of philosophers—from Aristotle and Diogenes, to Siddhartha Gautama and St. Thomas Aquinas, to David Hume and Karl Popper—the authors ask how Adrian Monk solves his cases, why he is the way he is, how he thinks, and what we can learn from him.
The Artful Nuance: A Refined Guide to Imperfectly Understood Words in the English Language
2009
Rod L. Evans

Many people use these words interchangeably but there are actually subtle and interesting differences in meaning and usage. Now from the author of Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge comes a fun and fascinating word reference book for word lovers, students, and trivia collectors alike. Readers will relish learning about these distinctions in this entertaining homage to a gift we use every day? Words. [Amazon.com]
Nietzsche's 'On the Genealogy of Morality': An Introduction
2008
Lawrence J. Hatab

Nietzsche's On the Genealogy of Morality (1887) is a forceful, perplexing, important book, radical in its own time and profoundly influential ever since. This introductory textbook offers a comprehensive, close reading of the entire work, with a section-by-section analysis that also aims to show how the Genealogy holds together as an integrated whole. The Genealogy is helpfully situated within Nietzsche's wider philosophy, and occasional interludes examine supplementary topics that further enhance the reader's understanding of the text. Two chapters examine how the Genealogy relates to standard questions in moral and political philosophy. Written in a clear, accessible style, this book will appeal to students at every level coming to read the Genealogy for the first time, and a wider range of readers will also benefit from nuanced interpretations of controversial elements in Nietzsche's work. [From Amazon.com]
iPod and Philosophy: iCon of an ePoch
2008
Dylan E. Wittkower (Editor)

The iPod is transforming the lives of millions, changing their relationship to music and to each other. IniPod and Philosophy, 18 philosophers with diverse specialties and points of view bring their expertise to bear on this international cultural phenomenon. They explore such questions as how individuals become defined by their iPods, what the shuffle feature says about the role of randomness in people's lives, and much more.
Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge: The Book of Mnemonic Devices
2007
Rod L. Evans

When is a "tulip"* not a flower? When it's one of hundreds of mnemonic devices in this comprehensive sourcebook. From remembering the notes on a scale (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge) to correctly performing geometric equations (Soh-Cah-Toa) to using "HOMES" for conjuring up the Great Lakes (Huron Ontario Michigan Erie Superior), mnemonic devices have helped countless students, teachers, and trivia buffs recall key information in a snap-using anagrams, clever rhymes, and word games. … [Amazon.com]
The Gilded Tongue: Overly Eloquent Words for Everyday Things
2006
Rod L. Evans

There are certain qualities that can set you apart from the crowd–like wearing the right clothing, jewelry, or shoes. But nothing draws attention or sets you apart like knowing and using a superior and aggrandizing vocabulary. You'll ascend to the uppermost ranks of literary intelligentsia once you acquire the grandiloquent terms in this lush volume. More than 500 entries help you replace common, everyday language with meretricious words guaranteed to make an indelible impression on your friends, co-workers, and family. With The Gilded Tongue, you'll never have to settle for plain, simple expression again. [Amazon.com]
Morality, Rules, and Consequences: A Critical Reader
2000
Elinor Mason (Editor), Dale E. Miller (Editor), and Brad Hooker (Editor)

What determines whether an action is right or wrong? One appealing idea is that a moral code ought to contain a number of rules that tell people how to behave and that are simple and few enough to be easily learned. Another appealing idea is that the consequences of actions matter, often more than anything else. Rule consequentialism tries to weave these two ideas into a general theory of morality. This theory holds that morally wrong actions are the ones forbidden by rules whose acceptance would maximize the overall good. Morality, Rules, and Consequences: A Critical Reader explores for students and researchers the relationship between consequentialist theory and moral rules. Most of the chapters focus on rule consequentialism or on the distinction between act and rule versions of consequentialism. [from Amazon.com]