"The unexamined life is not worth living," according to Socrates, but pursuing the examined life strikes many as daunting, unappealing and even unnecessary. Is philosophy important? Why do I need philosophy if I have the Bible? Aren't philosophers simply engaged in meaningless disputes that are irrelevant to everyday life?Mark Foreman addresses these and other questions in this "prelude" to the subject. Unlike a full introduction to philosophy, this book is a preliminary discussion that dispels misunderstandings and explains the rationale for engaging in philosophical reasoning. In the first half of the book, Foreman defines the task of philosophy, compares it to other disciplines and demonstrates its practical value to Christians interested in developing a more thoughtful faith. The second half introduces the reader to logic and argumentation, the essential tools of a philosopher. Concise and straightforward, Prelude to Philosophy is a guide for those looking to embark on the "examined life."



Mark W. Foreman (PhD, University of Virginia) is adjunct professor of philosophy and religion at Liberty University. He is also the author of Prelude to Philosophy: An Introduction for Christians and Christianity and Bioethics: Confronting Clinical Issues.







J. P. Moreland (PhD, University of Southern California) is distinguished professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in La Mirada, California. He has written or contributed to over ninety-five books, including The God Conversation,Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview, In Search of a Confident Faith, and Love Your God With All Your Mind. Throughout his career Moreland has co-planted three churches, spoken and debated on over 200 college campuses around the country, and served with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) for ten years. He was selected in August 2016 by The Best Schools as one of the 50 most influential living philosophers in the world.



Foreword by J.P. Moreland

Preface

Chapter One: What Is Philosophy?

Chapter Two: Why Is Philosophy Important?

Chapter Three: What Athens Has to Do with Jerusalem: The Importance of Philosophy for Christians

Chapter Four: The Divisions of Philosophy

Chapter Five: A Little Logic

Chapter Six: Informal Fallacies

Chapter Seven: Analyzing Arguments

Epilogue: Seven Virtues of a Christian Philosopher

Answers to Exercises

Index