Can God’s existence be proven by logic? Are computers smart enough to follow rules—or to cheat? What is an out-of-body experience? How can tables be solid when physicists say they’re made of subatomic particles that are only probability functions? Does science depend on trust? What is conscience? Does it come from God? From religious teaching? Social training? Is it rational to pursue your own self-interest? Can we all survive if we do this?

In this collection of stories and dialogues Trudy Govier shows how these old and new philosophical questions arise, and offers imaginative and striking depictions of some of the theories and arguments they have inspired.

Trudy Govier is a Canadian philosopher with an enduring interest in the ethics and politics of peace. She is the author of the widely used text A Practical Study of Argument and several other books.

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“An excellent supplementary text for introductory courses in Philosophy.” — Nicholas Caste, University of North Carolina

“Takes the reader into the heart of long-standing and knotty philosophical questions, and does this without sacrificing either readability or accuracy. Govier’s success is really very striking.” — Terence Penelhum, University of Calgary

“Should rivet anyone’s attention… presented in a lively, original way.” — Jack Ornstein, Concordia University

“Brings back to life the eloquence and vividness of dialogue in philosophy.” — Juan Godoy, Saint Louis University