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Threads of Philosophy

How (Not) to Use this Site
This site is intended to be used in support of lectures and further research. For class purposes, please use this site for preparation and follow up reading. However, when it comes time to compose a written assignment, please do not cite the lecture notes found here; instead, follow the links to sources, and cite the sources, especially where the sources present the primary texts of the figures in question. A citation to (InfiniteLoom) will usually be marked as inappropriate for formal written submissions.

Terms:

Reference Sources -- such as Wikipedia, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy; these are succinct summaries intended to help the reader formulate a clear overview of the works and lives of importance. Although these kinds of sources may be quoted in a formal research paper, the citations should be rare.

Course Notes and Outlines -- these are increasingly available on the internet, and they can offer helpful orientations to thinkers, lives, and histories. As with Reference Sources (above) these should be quoted sparingly, if at all.

Primary Sources -- the original works or writings of the philosopher or thinker, often in translation. These may be found at Project Gutenberg, MIT Classics, or some specialized collections. These are the sources that should predominate in introductory essays on philosophy.

Secondary Sources -- expert analysis and commentary, usually published in academic, peer-reviewed journals. These are more difficult to access on the internet, and are more appropriate for advanced course work. For students, internet access to secondary sources will most likely be facilitated via library databases.

MLA Style
Philosophy research papers should have frequent citations to sources, including "direct quotations" of key passages from primary sources. The link below presents some basic guidelines for presenting citations in MLA style.

From Purdue OWL

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

Global Beginnings
Antiquity around the World

Africa
Ancient Africa

Middle East
Mesopotamia

Torah

India
Indus Valley

Ancient India

Ancient Hinduism

Ancient Buddhism

Ego Development

China
Three Teachings Video

Book of Songs

Daoism

Guodian

The Four Books

Mohism

Xunzi

Zen

NeoConfucianism

America
Olmec

Popol Vuh

Europe
Pre-Socratics