In most universities philosophy majors are dying out. Most undergrad prerequisites used to have Intro To Philosophy 101 or Critical Thinking classes. Some schools have abandoned the philosophy electives altogether. That’s too bad, in my opinion. Philosophy classes are good but it depends on the quality of the professor and how much effort the students perceive the class to be as an entry level elective.
This was a good book which straddles those Intro classes and basic philosophy courses which most people now avoid. In Catholic seminaries today two years of philosophy courses, taken anywhere, are required before theology work begins.
This book has a unique style. It took me a bit of time to get used to it but once I did I enjoyed the writing even if the questions weren’t always answered to my satisfaction.
Hayden has a master’s degree so I was jealous that he wrote this book and got it published as opposed to writing a philosophical article or two.
Each chapter has a question from a specific philosopher which Hayden examines in a few pages. Usually the philosopher commits a logical fallacy which Hayden sees as a way to enter into larger discussion on philosophical topics. Those topics are then self-referenced within the other chapters of the book. Good book, although slightly misleading at times. ( )