Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy, 10th Edition

Douglas J. Soccio, Andrew Fiala

Copyright 2025
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Overview
Meet the Authors
What's New
Features
Table of Contents
Pricing

Overview

Soccio/Fiala's ARCHETYPES OF WISDOM: AN INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY, 10th EDITION, uses a historical approach to bring introductory philosophy to life through lively narratives, engaging illustrations and a student-friendly writing style. Using its signature conversational prose, the textbook guides students through the lives and works of history’s greatest philosophers, drawing from both canonical primary sources and the latest philosophical critiques.

Meet the Authors

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Douglas J. Soccio

Douglas Soccio was professor of philosophy at Shasta College for nearly 30 years. In addition to ARCHETYPES OF WISDOM: AN INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY, 9E, he is the author of HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF PHILOSOPHY, and, with Vincent E. Barry, PRACTICAL LOGIC, all of which are published by Cengage Learning. For three years he wrote a weekly philosophy column for the REDDING RECORD SEARCHLIGHT. Now devoted to writing on a full-time basis, he is presently developing a collection of philosophical stories that express what he describes as “philosophy with a heart,” a generous notion of philosophy that infuses all of his writing.

Andrew Fiala

Andrew Fiala is chair and professor of philosophy at Fresno State University, as well as director of the university's Ethics Center. His scholarly writing focuses on war and peace, politics, religion, and ethics. He also is a columnist for the Fresno Bee.

What's New

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New discussions and reflection questions on contemporary issues of inclusion and diversity, as well as critiques of canonical figures. The 10th Edition addresses head-on questions about racism, colonialism and sexism in the canon (with regard to Hume, Kant and others).
Increased attention to non-European thinking including Islam. A new section on Islamic thought and Medieval Jewish thought is included that discusses Ibn Sina, Ivn Rushd and Maimonides. The goal is for readers to gain a broader sense of the history of philosophy in its global context, and adds to the revised discussion of Asian sages.
More inclusion of female thinkers and critical voices from women throughout the history of philosophy. For example, there are new discussions of Hypatia of Alexandria, Kristina of Sweden and Mary Wollstonecraft. Contemporary feminism is covered more extensively, so readers will benefit from these new discussions and the broadened context.
New and updated quotations, images and boxed activities, plus inspiring new margin quotes. Images have been updated, often including contemporary examples. Instructors and students will benefit from new “philosophical query” questions and new historical boxes.
New focus on popular culture. Boxes have been added that connect the history of philosophy to film, literature and other contemporary examples. For example, there is a new box on Yoda as a sage and Spock as a Stoic. “Orwellian” language is discussed in relation to sophistry. These discussions should help readers make connections and situate archetypes and ideas in relation to popular culture.
Revised use of the “archetype” model. Chapters include more explicit explanations of the various archetypes discussed. For example, Kant is more carefully explained in terms of a “formalist” archetype. This will help readers keep track of the key ideas and figures emphasized throughout the history of philosophy.

Features

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A diverse range of philosophical traditions introduces students to different schools of thought and main topics and themes in the history of philosophy.
An easy-to-rearrange format works with both historical and topical approaches, and provides flexibility for a variety of course structures.

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1. The Asian Sages: Lao-tzu, Confucius, and Buddha.
2. The Pre-Socratic: Sophos.
3. The Sophist: Protagoras.
4. The Wise Man: Socrates.
5. The Philosopher-King: Plato.
6. The Naturalist: Aristotle.
7. The Stoic: Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.
8. The Scholar: Thomas Aquinas.
9. The Rationalist: René Descartes.
10. The Skeptic: David Hume.
11. The Formalist: Immanuel Kant.
12. The Utilitarian: John Stuart Mill.
13. The Materialist: Karl Marx.
14. The Existentialist: Søren Kierkegaard.
15. The Pragmatist: William James.
16. The Anti-Philosopher: Friedrich Nietzsche.
17. The Twentieth Century: Ludwig Wittgenstein and Martin Heidegger.
18. Philosophy as a Way of Life.
Notes.
Glossary.
Bibliography of Philosophical Delights.
Index of Margin Quotes.
Index.