Suggested Books of the Week 26

Check these books out below by Anthony Gottlieb, British writer, former Executive Editor of The Economist and historian of ideas and J. Diane Connell, Ed.D., Professor of Special Education and Learning Disabilities Advisor in the Division of Education at Rivier University.
 

Photo: GraphicStock.com

The Dream of Reason: A History of Western Philosophy from the Greeks to the Renaissance 
 

The Dream of Reason: A History of Western Philosophy from
the Greeks to the Renaissance

Already a classic, this landmark study of early Western thought now appears in a new edition with expanded coverage of the Middle Ages. This landmark study of Western thought takes a fresh look at the writings of the great thinkers of classic philosophy and questions many pieces of conventional wisdom. The book invites comparison with Bertrand Russell's monumental History of Western Philosophy, "but Gottlieb's book is less idiosyncratic and based on more recent scholarship" (Colin McGinn, Los Angeles Times). A New York Times Notable Book, a Los Angeles Times Best Book, and a Times Literary Supplement Best Book of 2001. 
Read more... 
 
The Dream of Enlightenment: The Rise of Modern Philosophy   

The Dream of Enlightenment: The Rise of Modern Philosophy

Western philosophy is now two and a half millennia old, but much of it came in just two staccato bursts, each lasting only about 150 years. In his landmark survey of Western philosophy from the Greeks to the Renaissance, The Dream of Reason, Anthony Gottlieb documented the first burst, which came in the Athens of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Now, in his sequel, The Dream of Enlightenment, Gottlieb expertly navigates a second great explosion of thought, taking us to northern Europe in the wake of its wars of religion and the rise of Galilean science. In a relatively short period―from the early 1640s to the eve of the French Revolution―Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke, Leibniz, and Hume all made their mark. 

The Dream of Enlightenment tells their story and that of the birth of modern philosophy.As Gottlieb explains, all these men were amateurs: none had much to do with any university. They tried to fathom the implications of the new science and of religious upheaval, which led them to question traditional teachings and attitudes. What does the advance of science entail for our understanding of ourselves and for our ideas of God? How should a government deal with religious diversity―and what, actually, is government for? Such questions remain our questions, which is why Descartes, Hobbes, and the others are still pondered today.Yet it is because we still want to hear them that we can easily get these philosophers wrong. It is tempting to think they speak our language and live in our world; but to understand them properly, we must step back into their shoes. Gottlieb puts readers in the minds of these frequently misinterpreted figures, elucidating the history of their times and the development of scientific ideas while engagingly explaining their arguments and assessing their legacy in lively prose.With chapters focusing on Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke, Pierre Bayle, Leibniz, Hume, Rousseau, and Voltaire―and many walk-on parts―The Dream of Enlightenment creates a sweeping account of what the Enlightenment amounted to, and why we are still in its debt. 
Read more...

Brain-Based Strategies to Reach Every Learner 

Place bookstore
using our online order form

In this unique resource, Diane Connell applies insights from brain-based research to the classroom. Working from the premise that teachers tend to teach in much the same way that they learn, Connell provides questionnaires that instructors identify their learning preferences, including:

• left-brain/right-brain preference
• multiple intelligence profile 
• information-processing preferences 
• learning style 
• emotional intelligence
  

She then helps instructors expand their teaching repertoire by providing classroom-tested strategies that engage all kinds of learners. In addition, Connell provides surveys and checklists so students can discover their learning preferences. She also offers strategies that help students work with their strengths and improve the areas they are weak in. Complete with research-based suggestions for organizing and managing classrooms so all students can learn and thrive.
Read more...

Source: Ancient Origins and XanEdu