Summary
Title: Making Sense: Philosophy Behind the Headlines
Author: Julian Baggini
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0192803395
Pro:
• Easy to read, engaging, and very informative
• Only one footnote
Con:
• Short index
• Only one footnote
Description:
• Introduction of philosophical inquiry and analysis through recent news stories
• Introduction to various branches of philosophy like epistemology and ethics
• Exploration of philosophical issues which lie behind contemporary issues
Book Review
Making Sense, written by the founding editor of The Philosophers’ Magazine, Julian Baggini, is an impressive and engaging exploration of important news stories through the lens of philosophical inquiry. What this means is that familiar stories and topics are discussed, but less familiar and more fundamental issues are used to delve deeper than most media accounts ever tread.
We may have all seen the tape where Osama bin Laden seems to take credit for the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, but what basis can we have to say we know or don’t know that it is genuine? Indeed, what can this issue tell us about the nature of knowledge generally? We have all heard about the sexual dalliances of former president Bill Clinton, but is his private life any of our business in the first place? Why or why not? There are regular reports about new advances in science and technology, but how should we judge the ethics of these developments? Those are just a few of the topics covered in Baggini’s book.
This is not to suggest that Baggini or philosophy presume to answer all of our questions, however:
- ”Philosophy has no monopoly on rationality, but because of its emphasis and reliance on sound reasoning and its examination of the principles of reasoning themselves, one probably learns more about what makes a good, rational argument from philosophy than from any other subject. This is extremely valuable in real-world debate. The ability to see the form and strength of an argument can prevent us from being confused or misled by those who know how to manipulate us. ...To make sense of the news, and the world around us, we all have to confront, at some stage, questions such as those of right and wrong, our conception of self, and the status of scientific claims. Those are properly philosophical questions...”
On the other hand, this book isn’t just full of idle speculation, either. Thinking seriously about these issues also means reflecting on and reconsidering our own beliefs, prejudices, and attitudes. As a result, philosophical inquiry becomes a two-way process by which both our perception of news and our perception of our selves becomes altered.
An investigation of the philosophical issues behind the headlines could easily become a dry, boring affair — and, in lesser hands, it may well have been. We are lucky, however, that Baggini is the author because he has extensive experience in helping make philosophy interesting, engaging, and very relevant to contemporary matters. Much of the responsibility for the prejudice against philosophy as too esoteric or difficult can be laid at the feet of modern philosophers themselves, but there are a few out there who continue to buck the trend.
You won’t always agree with Baggini’s personal conclusions about things, but that’s the point — not to reach particular conclusions, but rather to reach better conclusions through better and more coherent thinking. That’s exactly what this book helps teach, and anyone interested in philosophy, rational inquiry, or a way to reach more deeply behind the surface of the news will benefit from it.
