Book Reviews: Philosophy, Philosophers, Philosophical Issues
It isn't easy to say what exactly philosophy is, how to study it, or how to 'do' it. So why has it long been one of the central subjects in Western academics? The reason why it is so difficult to categorize philosophy is because philosophizing makes up so much of what we do during life - there is no escaping it for anyone who want to think clearly or think about important subjects. So, we need to learn how to do it well. Read about some recently published books on philosophy.
Justice as Fairness: A Restatement, by John Rawls
John Rawls' 1971 book 'A Theory of Justice' has become one of the most influential and important works on political philosophy in recent history. Even those who disagreed vehemently with his conclusions couldn't avoid his ideas and arguments.
John Rawls' 1971 book 'A Theory of Justice' has become one of the most influential and important works on political philosophy in recent history. Even those who disagreed vehemently with his conclusions couldn't avoid his ideas and arguments.
Fear: The History of a Political Idea, by Corey Robin
Fear is an ubiquitous part of the human condition. It is a basic, primal emotion which can motivate a person to act reasonably in defense of their safety and well-being or act irrationally in a manner that threatens the well-being of others. Because of its effectiveness as a motivator of action, it's only natural that it would become part of politics...
Fear is an ubiquitous part of the human condition. It is a basic, primal emotion which can motivate a person to act reasonably in defense of their safety and well-being or act irrationally in a manner that threatens the well-being of others. Because of its effectiveness as a motivator of action, it's only natural that it would become part of politics...
Who Needs Classical Music? Cultural Choice and Musical Value
Everyone is familiar with classical music, but few spend much time deliberately listening to it. At most, they listen to small amounts that appear in movies, but never in a reflective manner. Music today is treated more as form of entertainment and distraction than as a form of art. A lot has changed in people's perception of music in the past couple of centuries, but is that a good thing?
Everyone is familiar with classical music, but few spend much time deliberately listening to it. At most, they listen to small amounts that appear in movies, but never in a reflective manner. Music today is treated more as form of entertainment and distraction than as a form of art. A lot has changed in people's perception of music in the past couple of centuries, but is that a good thing?
Harry Potter and Philosophy
The Harry Potter books are wildly popular, but are they just children’s stories, or do they contain substantive themes that merit philosophical analysis and exposition? It’s arguable that any book series which can attract so much attention is probably not fluff, but instead appeals because of the good use being made of serious themes, ideas, and concepts.
The Harry Potter books are wildly popular, but are they just children’s stories, or do they contain substantive themes that merit philosophical analysis and exposition? It’s arguable that any book series which can attract so much attention is probably not fluff, but instead appeals because of the good use being made of serious themes, ideas, and concepts.
Ancient Philosophy: A New History Of Western Philosophy
For many, philosophy is an esoteric subject only studied in the ivory towers of universities; this is unfortunate because a solid grounding in philosophy also provides a strong basis for dealing with just about everything else in life: ethics, politics, science, and relationships. Understanding the connections isn't always easy, but it's almost always worth the effort invested.
For many, philosophy is an esoteric subject only studied in the ivory towers of universities; this is unfortunate because a solid grounding in philosophy also provides a strong basis for dealing with just about everything else in life: ethics, politics, science, and relationships. Understanding the connections isn't always easy, but it's almost always worth the effort invested.
The Philosophical Challenge of September 11
The importance of September 11 and the ensuing responses is undeniable. What they ultimately mean, however, is another matter entirely. One might imagine that the meaning of all these events would be obvious, but that isn’t the case - opinions diverge greatly about how to even approach the issues, much less about what conclusions to reach.
The importance of September 11 and the ensuing responses is undeniable. What they ultimately mean, however, is another matter entirely. One might imagine that the meaning of all these events would be obvious, but that isn’t the case - opinions diverge greatly about how to even approach the issues, much less about what conclusions to reach.
Kierkegaard, by Michael Watts
Soren Kierkegaard is an amazing, insightful, and fascinating philosopher. He’s also a frustrating, depressing, and difficult philosopher - all at the same time. He is regarded by most as the 'father of existentialism,' despite the fact that the word wouldn’t be coined for decades to come; yet for all his influence, he is understood surprisingly little outside of academic circles.
Soren Kierkegaard is an amazing, insightful, and fascinating philosopher. He’s also a frustrating, depressing, and difficult philosopher - all at the same time. He is regarded by most as the 'father of existentialism,' despite the fact that the word wouldn’t be coined for decades to come; yet for all his influence, he is understood surprisingly little outside of academic circles.
Walking the Tightrope of Reason
One of the things which sets humanity apart from other animals is our ability to use reason; unfortunately, another thing that sets us apart is our ability to be irrational and ignore reason. Perhaps, though, these two characteristics are as opposite as they might appear - perhaps there is a necessary connection between rationality and the acceptance of irrationality.
One of the things which sets humanity apart from other animals is our ability to use reason; unfortunately, another thing that sets us apart is our ability to be irrational and ignore reason. Perhaps, though, these two characteristics are as opposite as they might appear - perhaps there is a necessary connection between rationality and the acceptance of irrationality.
A History of Philosophy in America 1720-2000
When people think of philosophy, they tend to think of great minds from Europe - Aristotle, Nietzsche or Sartre. What about American philosophy? Hasn't America produced any viable and interesting philosophical perspectives? Is there even such a thing as "American" philosophy, distinct from philosophy elsewhere in the world?
When people think of philosophy, they tend to think of great minds from Europe - Aristotle, Nietzsche or Sartre. What about American philosophy? Hasn't America produced any viable and interesting philosophical perspectives? Is there even such a thing as "American" philosophy, distinct from philosophy elsewhere in the world?
Philosophy in Crisis: The Need for Reconstruction
What is the current state of academic philosophy? According to some, philosophy is suffering from deep, systemic problems. There are even those who have declared modern philosophy to be dead. However, is such a judgment really justified - and, if so, is there anything that can be done about it?
What is the current state of academic philosophy? According to some, philosophy is suffering from deep, systemic problems. There are even those who have declared modern philosophy to be dead. However, is such a judgment really justified - and, if so, is there anything that can be done about it?
Culture Industry
We are all surrounded every day by the culture industry - it influences what we eat, what we read, where we work, indeed many of our basic desires. So why haven't most people heard about it? In fact they have, although not by the term "culture industry" - this is a term created to replace the more common "mass culture" (today, "pop culture") for the purpose of analysis and critique.
We are all surrounded every day by the culture industry - it influences what we eat, what we read, where we work, indeed many of our basic desires. So why haven't most people heard about it? In fact they have, although not by the term "culture industry" - this is a term created to replace the more common "mass culture" (today, "pop culture") for the purpose of analysis and critique.
The Philosopher's Toolkit: Philosophical Concepts and Methods
If you spend much time discussing religion, politics, and philosophy, you'll quickly find that if you want to get anywhere you'll need to acquire some skill when it comes to analyzing, understanding, and refuting basic arguments - and that's all before you learn how to properly construct your own. But just where do you go to get such skills?
If you spend much time discussing religion, politics, and philosophy, you'll quickly find that if you want to get anywhere you'll need to acquire some skill when it comes to analyzing, understanding, and refuting basic arguments - and that's all before you learn how to properly construct your own. But just where do you go to get such skills?
Thinking from A to Z
Critical, skeptical thinking isn't easy. It's not that it's unnatural, but credulous attitudes are easier to adopt and maintain because they take less work. Skepticism requires some training, patience, and above all practice. Most of those who seek out such training and practice are involved in scholarly studies like philosophy, but everyone could benefit from them as well. Where can one start?
Critical, skeptical thinking isn't easy. It's not that it's unnatural, but credulous attitudes are easier to adopt and maintain because they take less work. Skepticism requires some training, patience, and above all practice. Most of those who seek out such training and practice are involved in scholarly studies like philosophy, but everyone could benefit from them as well. Where can one start?
A Brief History of the Paradox
The term paradox comes from the Greek paradoxos, which means "conflicting with expectation," and refers to some idea which has the appearance of being logically true but which is in fact so absurd that it cannot possibly be true. Herein lies the attraction to both philosophers and lay people: trying to figure our where the error lies. Is there an incorrect premise?
The term paradox comes from the Greek paradoxos, which means "conflicting with expectation," and refers to some idea which has the appearance of being logically true but which is in fact so absurd that it cannot possibly be true. Herein lies the attraction to both philosophers and lay people: trying to figure our where the error lies. Is there an incorrect premise?
The Ancient Olympics: A History
What connection do the modern Olympics have with the Olympics of ancient Greece? The ancient Olympics were not the graceful, iconic displays of physical ability which people have idealized them as - but then again, neither are the modern Olympics. Both are rooted in our humanity, which means that both have involved more suffering, corruption, and base motives than most would admit.
What connection do the modern Olympics have with the Olympics of ancient Greece? The ancient Olympics were not the graceful, iconic displays of physical ability which people have idealized them as - but then again, neither are the modern Olympics. Both are rooted in our humanity, which means that both have involved more suffering, corruption, and base motives than most would admit.
The Ecumenical Cruise and Other Philosophy Tales
Most books on philosophy and theology either take the historical approach by explaining ideas as they developed chronologically, or take a topical approach by explaining ideas in specific groups. Both approaches have a tendency towards being dry, as can be the case in any attempt to explain or explore abstract ideas. Every once in a while someone comes along who does things differently.
Most books on philosophy and theology either take the historical approach by explaining ideas as they developed chronologically, or take a topical approach by explaining ideas in specific groups. Both approaches have a tendency towards being dry, as can be the case in any attempt to explain or explore abstract ideas. Every once in a while someone comes along who does things differently.
Skeptical Philosophy for Everyone
It is commonly believed that skepticism is a relatively minor issue in the context of Western philosophy. A recent book from Richard H. Popkin and Avrum Stroll argues, however, that skepticism is actually an important key to understanding the course and development of philosophy in the West
It is commonly believed that skepticism is a relatively minor issue in the context of Western philosophy. A recent book from Richard H. Popkin and Avrum Stroll argues, however, that skepticism is actually an important key to understanding the course and development of philosophy in the West
The Splendid Feast of Reason
What is the value of reason and rationality, and how are rationalists to live in a persistently irrational world? These are the two main questions which Singer addresses in his book The Splendid Feast of Reason. They may not seem to be closely related, but as Singer argues, there are many benefits to be had from rationality in society, even if only a minority of people practice it.
What is the value of reason and rationality, and how are rationalists to live in a persistently irrational world? These are the two main questions which Singer addresses in his book The Splendid Feast of Reason. They may not seem to be closely related, but as Singer argues, there are many benefits to be had from rationality in society, even if only a minority of people practice it.
Reverence: Renewing a Forgotten Virtue
Do you revere anything? That may sound like an odd question in the context of a modern society where little, if anything, is regarded as worthy of reverence. It may sound like an especially odd question in the context of an atheist site where one might assume that reverence has no place at all
Do you revere anything? That may sound like an odd question in the context of a modern society where little, if anything, is regarded as worthy of reverence. It may sound like an especially odd question in the context of an atheist site where one might assume that reverence has no place at all
Sartre, by Neil Levy
Jean-Paul Sartre was acclaimed by the people of France in ways normally reserved for rock stars in other countries. When he died in 1980, fifty thousand people lined the streets of Paris to watch his coffin go by. What did he do to merit such respect and attention?
Jean-Paul Sartre was acclaimed by the people of France in ways normally reserved for rock stars in other countries. When he died in 1980, fifty thousand people lined the streets of Paris to watch his coffin go by. What did he do to merit such respect and attention?
Making Sense: Philosophy Behind the Headlines
There is a common prejudice which says that philosophy is an esoteric subject with little or no relevancy for daily life. If true, this would suggest that the study of philosophy would bring no practical benefits. But is it true? I don't think so, and a recent book demonstrates that it isn't.
There is a common prejudice which says that philosophy is an esoteric subject with little or no relevancy for daily life. If true, this would suggest that the study of philosophy would bring no practical benefits. But is it true? I don't think so, and a recent book demonstrates that it isn't.