Peer Review

The Originals: Classic Readings in Western Philosophy

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Reviewed:: Jun 6, 2022 by English

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The e-book aims to provide students an appreciation and understanding of philosophy and exposure to the ideas that have shaped Western thinking.

Type of Material:

Open (Access) Textbook

Recommended Uses:

This book could be used as a textbook in a course on philosophy or argumentative writing as well as a self-paced learning. Due to the content, it would be more useful to newcomers of philosophy if it accompanied lectures and/or group discussions since the nature of philosophy is argument and dialogue.

Technical Requirements:

Also available as PDF, ePub, Mobi

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The learner/reader will

be exposed to the words and ideas of major philosophers
gain an appreciation and understanding of philsophy
have access to original works of philosophy
learn to evaluate arguments
learn the basics of writing an argumentative paper

Target Student Population:

College Lower Division, College Upper Division

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic computer skills to download the file and use Adobe Acrobat Reader

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The author gives a good overview of how to read philosophy and write argumentative papers in response to it. The book also gives a well-organized anthology of great works of philosophy by original authors. The book contains primary texts from copyright free works including major Western philosphers
Concerns:: The primary text selections are excellent; however, the sections would benefit from an introduction to the topic and individual readings would benefit from author written follow up questions and introductions.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The book offers discussions in how to read and respond to philosophy as well as taking notes, and it offers an organized approach to philosophy, which helps in presenting the information to students.
Concerns:: Since there are no discussions about the works and/or their relationship to one another, the student will have to rely on the instructor's lecture for explanations of details, or on ancilliary resources.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The book is easy to download and offers the usual means of jumping to the different parts of the book electronically without having to scroll.
Concerns:: It is only limited by the need for an electronic device for reading, but it could be printed out; however, printing can be costly.

Other Issues and Comments:: This is a collection of primary sources only. There is no framework provided on the topics or philosophers. Great resources for a course if an instructor puts together the introductions for themselves.
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