Making Sense of It All: PASCAL and the Meaning of Life

<p>Since 1967, the <em>Encyclopedia of Philosophy</em>, described by <em>Booklist</em> as the best and most comprehensive English-language reference source for philosophy, has been the cornerstone of the philosophy reference shelf. Lauded for its clear and accessible presentation of wide-ranging philosophical subjects, the <em>Encyclopedia</em> has earned its place as a first-stop resource for general readers, students and educators. A <em>Supplement</em> to the first edition was released to critical acclaim in 1996. A new and updated edition of this multivolume set -- the first comprehensive new edition in almost 40 years -- has been compiled under the close guidance of a 21-member board of scholars headed by Donald Borchert (Ohio University). Containing material from hundreds of highly distinguished contributors representing the worlds top universities and institutions, the second edition has a truly global perspective. It contains more than 2, 100 entries -- including more than 450 new articles. Among the many topics covered are African, Islamic, Jewish, Russian, Chinese, and Buddhist philosophies&#x3b; bioethics and biomedical ethics&#x3b; art and aesthetics&#x3b; epistemology&#x3b; metaphysics&#x3b; peace and war&#x3b; social and political philosophy&#x3b; the Holocaust&#x3b; feminist thought&#x3b; and much more. Additionally, the second edition also features 1, 000 biographical entries on major figures in philosophical thought throughout history. 01

<p>The field of environmental ethics is a new but now well-established sub-discipline of philosophy. Emerging in the mid-1970s, the field coalesced with the inaugural volume of the journal Environmental Ethics in 1979 and developed rapidly. By the turn of the century, most colleges and universities offered courses, if not major programs of study, in this important discipline. <em>The Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy</em> addresses the needs of upper high school students, undergraduate researchers, teachers and professors, as well as general readers by examining the philosophical and ethical issues underlying contemporary and historical environmental issues, policies, and debates. More than 300 peer-reviewed articles cover concepts, institutions, topics, events and people, including global warming, animal rights, environmental movements, alternative energy, green chemistry, industrial ecology, and eco-sabotage. Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy joins the suite of other Macmillan applied ethics titles: Encyclopedia of Bioethics and the Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics. Additional features include 200 photographs and illustrations, thematic outline, annotated bibliography, and a comprehensive index.</p>

<p><em>Philosophy: Education</em> is composed of twenty-six chapters covering such topics as feminism, multiculturalism, creativity, democracy, race, globalization, friendship, and video games, as they relate to education, as well as such issues as dress codes, school choice, sex education, and religious education. The use of film, literature, art, case studies, and other disciplines or situations/events provide illustrations of human experiences which work as gateways to questions philosophers try to address. Chapters are written by eminent scholars, are peer reviewed, and offer bibliographies to encourage further exploration. Photos and line art help illuminate the text. The volume concludes with a glossary and a comprehensive index.<br />

<p><em>Philosophy: Sources, Perspectives, and Methodologies</em> serves as a primer to the study of philosophy. By employing literature, film, art, history, and other disciplines, the twenty-seven thematic chapters identify areas of critical thought and practice in the philosophical study. They begin with the nature of philosophy, segue into epistemology and non-Western traditions, explore various interdisciplinary methods, and conclude with introductions to the subfields covered in the succeeding nine volumes in the series. Chapters are written by eminent scholars, are peer reviewed, and offer bibliographies to encourage further exploration. The volume concludes with a glossary and a comprehensive index.

<p><em>Philosophy: Sex and Love</em> is composed of fifteen chapters covering topics relevant to sex and love, including friendship, gender, marriage, adultery, and virtual (online) relationships. The use of film, literature, art, case studies, and other disciplines or situations/events provide illustrations of human experiences which work as gateways to questions philosophers try to address. Chapters are written by eminent scholars, are peer reviewed, and offer bibliographies to encourage further exploration. Photos and line art help illuminate the text. The volume concludes with a glossary and a comprehensive index.

<p><em>Philosophy: Sport</em> is composed of nineteen chapters covering such topics as cheating, gender equality, aesthetics, steroid use, and spirituality. The use of film, literature, art, case studies, and other disciplines or situations/events provide illustrations of human experiences which work as gateways to questions philosophers try to address. Chapters are written by eminent scholars, are peer reviewed, and offer bibliographies to encourage further exploration. Photos and line art help illuminate the text. The volume concludes with a glossary and a comprehensive index.<br />