Overview

Nathan L. King's The Excellent Mind considers the importance of the intellectual virtues: the character traits of excellent thinkers. He explains what it means to have an excellent mind: one that is curious, careful, self-reliant, humble, honest, persevering, courageous, open, firm, and wise. Drawing from recent literature in philosophy and psychology, he considers what these virtues are like in practice, why they are important, and how we grow in them. King also argues that despite their label, these virtues are not just for intellectuals: they are for everyone. He shows how intellectual virtues are critical to living everyday life, in areas as diverse as personal relationships, responsible citizenship, civil discourse, personal success, and education. Filled with vivid examples and relevant applications, The Excellent Mind will serve as an engaging introduction to the intellectual virtues for students and anyone interested in the topic.

Full Product Details

Author:   Nathan L. King (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, Whitworth University)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press Inc
Imprint:   Oxford University Press Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 14.20cm , Height: 6.10cm , Length: 21.80cm
Weight:   0.340kg
ISBN:  

9780190096267

ISBN 10:   0190096268
Pages:   304
Publication Date:   21 April 2021
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Preface Part I: What are Intellectual Virtues and Why Do They Matter? 1. Why Good Thinking Matters 2. The Intellectual Virtues: A Closer Look Part II: Intellectual Virtues 3. Curiosity: A Healthy Appetite for Knowledge 4. Carefulness: Mind Your Evidence 5. Autonomy: Think for Yourself 6. Humility & Self-Confidence: Own Your Weaknesses-and Your Strengths 7. Honesty: Don't Distort the Truth 8. Perseverance: Overcome Obstacles 9. Courage: Persist Despite Threats 10. Open-Mindedness & Firmness: Transcend and Maintain Your Perspective 11. Fair-Mindedness & Charity: Don't Do Unto Others / Do Unto Others Part III: Putting on Virtue 12. How We Grow in Intellectual Virtue Index

Reviews

In this timely book, Nathan King unpacks the world of intellectual virtues in a refreshingly accessible manner. Using clear examples, stories, and vignettes from his own life, King keeps the reader engaged through his clear and straightforward prose. One comes away with a better understanding of why developing intellectual character is not only an important but also an achievable aim of education. --Ron Ritchhart, Harvard Graduate School of Education What are the qualities of a good thinker? What does it mean to have an excellent mind? Nathan King raises and elegantly answers these questions in this dazzling book. Employing fascinating examples from modern culture and the everyday world, King explores the powers of the human mind in this page-turner. It is at once an intellectual triumph, a how-to book, and an entertaining read. To everyone from high school students to old physicists like myself, I say: read this delightful and original book! --Leonard Mlodinow, bestselling author of Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior The Excellent Mind is a marvelous introduction to the topic of intellectual virtues. It lucidly explores twelve different intellectual virtues, including curiosity, open-mindedness, honesty, humility, and courage. King acquaints the reader with each virtue through real-life examples, ranging from Copernicus to Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Eminently readable and applicable, it is an excellent fit for introductory courses in Philosophy and relevant to several disciplines in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. --Heather Battaly, University of Connecticut This book is an outstanding introduction to intellectual virtues and their importance to learning and living well. It combines lively and accessible prose with a philosophically sophisticated and illuminating treatment of intellectual virtues. It is an ideal resource for students, teachers, and others interested in understanding the personal aspects of good thinking. --Jason Baehr, Loyola Marymount University

This book is an outstanding introduction to intellectual virtues and their importance to learning and living well. It combines lively and accessible prose with a philosophically sophisticated and illuminating treatment of intellectual virtues. It is an ideal resource for students, teachers, and others interested in understanding the personal aspects of good thinking. * Jason Baehr, Loyola Marymount University * The Excellent Mind is a marvelous introduction to the topic of intellectual virtues. It lucidly explores twelve different intellectual virtues, including curiosity, open-mindedness, honesty, humility, and courage. King acquaints the reader with each virtue through real-life examples, ranging from Copernicus to Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Eminently readable and applicable, it is an excellent fit for introductory courses in Philosophy and relevant to several disciplines in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. * Heather Battaly, University of Connecticut * What are the qualities of a good thinker? What does it mean to have an excellent mind? Nathan King raises and elegantly answers these questions in this dazzling book. Employing fascinating examples from modern culture and the everyday world, King explores the powers of the human mind in this page-turner. It is at once an intellectual triumph, a how-to book, and an entertaining read. To everyone from high school students to old physicists like myself, I say: read this delightful and original book! * Leonard Mlodinow, bestselling author of Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior * In this timely book, Nathan King unpacks the world of intellectual virtues in a refreshingly accessible manner. Using clear examples, stories, and vignettes from his own life, King keeps the reader engaged through his clear and straightforward prose. One comes away with a better understanding of why developing intellectual character is not only an important but also an achievable aim of education. * Ron Ritchhart, Harvard Graduate School of Education *

Author Information

Nathan L. King, Professor of Philosophy, Whitworth University Nathan L. King is Professor of Philosophy at Whitworth University. His research interests include intellectual character, the epistemology of disagreement, and the philosophy of education. His work has appeared in such journals as Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, Philosophical Quarterly, and Synthese.

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