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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Translated with an uncanny sense for the overall point of Augustine's doctrine. In short, a very good translation. The Introduction is admirably clear." -- Paul Vincent Spade, Indiana University.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Conscious offers the clearest, most compelling explanation that I’ve seen of consciousness. If you’ve ever wondered how you have the capacity to wonder, some fascinating insights await you in these pages.” — Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals, Give and Take, and Option B “Wild ideas are on the table--you’ll come away with an appreciation of the major conflicts and the high stakes that come with any attempt to understand how consciousness really works.” — Sean Carroll, theoretical physicist and author of The Big Picture “A fascinating book that literally illuminates the enduring mystery of consciousness. Harris makes the journey direct, clear, entertaining, and above all accessible--even to someone like me, who’d never before gotten my head around this complex topic.” — Gavin de Becker, author of The Gift of Fear “Harris holds a mirror up to ourselves and the reflection she casts is wondrously unfamiliar. In salient prose that intertwines science and philosophy, Harris turns her joyful curiosity on the nature of awareness. Every sentence of this book works upon the next, delving the reader deeper into an exploration of consciousness. While most books that contemplate the mysteries of the universe make one feel small in comparison, Conscious gives the reader an undeniable sense of presence.” — Nathalia Holt, author of New York Times bestseller Rise of the Rocket Girls “A user’s guide to the scientific thinking on consciousness—delivering an assumption-shattering take on how we think about our mind, our self, and this very moment.” — Daniel Goleman, author of NYT bestseller Emotional Intelligence “The AI quest for artificial minds has transformed the mystery of consciousness into philosophy with a deadline. In this gem of a book, Annaka Harris tackles consciousness controversies with incisive rigor and clarity, in a style that’s accessible and captivating, yet never dumbed down.” — Prof. Max Tegmark, MIT, author of Life 3.0: Being Human in the age of AI “A remarkably focused, concise and provocative overview of the ‘problem of Mind.’ Written with great clarity, she gives readers unfamiliar with the debate a chance to see the fault lines defining modern discussions about the nature of consciousness.” — Adam Frank, astrophysicist and author of About Time and Light of the Stars “I have read many, many great books on consciousness in my life as a neuroscientist. Conscious tops them all, hands down. It deals with unsolved questions and dizzying concepts with a graciousness and clarity that leaves the reader deeply satisfied.” — Marco Iacoboni, neuroscientist and author of Mirroring People “A delectable introduction to a fundamental mystery that science has been struggling with since antiquity.” — Christof Koch, neuroscientist and author of The Quest for Consciousness “One of those books that fundamentally shifts the way you think about reality. Consciousness is among the hardest concepts for humans to wrap their heads around, but Annaka Harris is a masterful explainer—she started by breaking my existing beliefs about the nature of consciousness and then she rebuilt them into a more nuanced, more complete, and more mind-bending understanding of what’s really going on behind my eyes.” — Tim Urban, author of the blog Wait But Why “Annaka Harris has a rare gift to breathe wonder into the familiar. In Conscious, her target is our very selves. She offers each reader the bracing pleasure of becoming an enigma, lucidly explains the experiments that underwrite her offer, and persuasively argues that one of the greatest mysteries of science may be sitting in your chair.” — Donald Hoffman, cognitive scientist and author of Visual Intelligence and The Case Against Reality “There is a profound intellectual adventure awaiting the reader of this exquisite book.” — Rebecca Goldstein, philosopher and author of Plato at the Googleplex “Annaka Harris expertly and eloquently explores one of the deepest questions the human mind has ever grappled with: itself. Harris turns the light inward, encouraging us to reflect on how we reflect as she clearly presents the prevailing theories of consciousness.” — Dean Buonomano, neuroscientist and author of Your Brain is a Time Machine “A beautiful, clear, and thoughtful examination of the imponderable topic of consciousness.” — Iain McGilchrist, author of The Master and His Emissary “This brief book challenges conventional ways of thinking about thinking and presents provocative alternatives. By the end, readers may be less certain that consciousness distinguishes us from the rest of matter—or that there is any such thing as a conscious self….might not be fully convinced about all of the author’s points, but you may be less certain that there’s a “you” to convince.” — Kirkus Reviews “The thoughtful and accessible text considers points of view offered by various philosophers, biologists, and neurologists, acting as devil’s advocate, challenging assumptions, and arguing why posited definitions are inadequate. Harris concedes that answers to the questions she poses are not currently within our grasp, but allows that as our understanding of reality, time, and quantum physics increases, so might our understanding of consciousness.” — Booklist

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Book SynopsisNarratives produce the ties that bind us. They create community, eliminate contingency and anchor us in being. And yet in our contemporary information society, where everything has become arbitrary and random, storytelling becomes storyselling and narratives lose their binding force. Whereas narratives create community, storytelling brings forth only a fleeting community – the community of consumers. No amount of storytelling could recreate the fire around which humans gather to tell each other stories. That fire has long since burnt out. It has been replaced by the digital screen, which separates people rather than bringing them together. Through storytelling, capitalism appropriates narrative: stories sell. They are no longer a medium of shared experience. The inflation of storytelling betrays a need to cope with contingency, but storytelling is unable to transform the information society back into a stable narrative community. Rather, storytelling as storyselling is a pathological phenomenon of our age. Byung-Chul Han, one of the most perceptive cultural theorists of contemporary society, dissects this crisis with exceptional insight and flair.Table of ContentsPreface From Narration to InformationThe Poverty of ExperienceThe Narrated LifeBare LifeThe Disenchantment of the WorldFrom Shocks to LikesTheory as NarrativeNarration as HealingNarrative CommunityStoryselling Notes

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisJohn Lemos' Freedom, Responsibility, and Determinism offers an up-to-date introduction to free will (and associated) debates in an engaging, dialogic format that recommends it for use by beginning students in philosophy as well as by undergraduates in intermediate courses in metaphysics, philosophy of mind, and action theory.Trade ReviewThere has been a great deal of philosophical progress in the free will debate in the last two generations, and much of this progress has been complex and rather technical. In less than one hundred pages, John Lemos manages to introduce the reader to this debate, as well as to related debates about religion and science as they relate to free will--without dumbing down and in a pleasant, accessible dialogue form. This is an impressive achievement. --Saul Smilansky, Professor of Philosophy, University of HaifaLemos' dialogue on free will is up to the standards of the very best of Hackett's excellent previous introductory dialogues on philosophical topics. --Robert Kane, University Distinguished Teaching Professor of Philosophy Emeritus and Professor of Law, University of Texas at AustinAccessible, substansive, and well-organized. Intelligent use of the dialogue form. --Raymond Belliotti, Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of Philosophy, SUNY Fredonia

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Book SynopsisRoland Barthes was born in 1915 and studied French literature and classics at the University of Paris. After teaching French at universities in Romania and Egypt, he joined the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, where he devoted himself to research in sociology and lexicology. He was a professor at the College de France until his death in 1980.Trade ReviewLove, here, is a state of the imagination, with the lover desperate to interpret the dire ambiguities inseparable from his role. This is a speculative book, and a melancholy one, an exploration of the idiom of anxiety. Barthes's love is a passion in the old, suffering sense of the word * Observer *May be the most detailed, painstaking anatomy of desire that we are ever likely to see or need again... All readers will find something they recognize in Barthes' recreation of the lover's fevered consciousness: The book is an ecstatic celebration of love and language and...readers interested in either or both...will enjoy savouring its rich and dark delights * Washington Post Book World *Barthes's work, along with that of Wilde and Valéry, gives being an aesthete a good name... Defending the senses, he never betrayed the mind -- Susan Sontag

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Book SynopsisPeter Vardy's much acclaimed introduction to the study of ideas about God now revised and updated.A clear, well-written guide to philosophical thinking about God. Starting with the question of what it means to say we believe in God, and looking at the nature of truth, Peter Vardy goes on to examine ideas about God and their influence on Christian thinking.Peter Vardy takes the reader through the arguments, using amusing illustrations and analogies. He writes for the lay person or student, not assuming any specialist knowledge, and not imposing any particular view.This is about the best elementary textbook in the philosophy of God I have come across an extremely useful book.'Hugh Meynell, The TabletThis is a masterpiece of coherence. Step by step the reader is led clearly and humorously through the philosophical maze which confuses our thinking about God.'Linda Smith, Head of Religious Education, King's College, London

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Book SynopsisIn this book, Eric E. Hall takes up the question of the meaning of a vigorously used concept in the liberal west: authenticity and the pursuit of personal originality. By uncovering this idea's uses within three deepening contexts - the ethical, the ontological, and the theological - the author unfolds authenticity's origins and implications. To the degree that authenticity seeks in all contexts freedom from social horizons, the conclusion renders attempts to embody this ideal secularly impossible. The goal requires a total transcendence that only the divine could fulfill. Human authenticity thus emerges in creatively imitating God's self-sacrificial expression on the cross, which both transcends and revalues the horizons of this world.

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Book SynopsisThomas P. Flint develops and defends the idea of divine providence sketched by Luis de Molina, the sixteenth-century Jesuit theologian. The Molinist account of divine providence reconciles two claims long thought to be incompatible: that God is the...Trade ReviewI am very impressed with Flint's discussion. He does an extraordinary job of setting forth clearly the Molinist metaphysical perspective and defending the engine that drives this system—God's middle knowledge—from attack. In fact his discussion of middle knowledge and the intricate interesting philosophical issues this concept continues to generate in current, mainstream philosophy of religion is, I believe, the best to date.... Flint's book remains required reading for any serious philosopher of religion or philosophical theologian. * The Philosophical Review *Divine Providence is the only full-scale treatment of Molinism to have appeared in recent years.... It tackles Molinism directly and at length. It is written with great clarity, and it gives one a good idea of what can reasonably be argued for given its basic thesis. Those who want get a sense of how modern-day Molinists might wish to defend themselves today have nothing better to read at the moment. * American Catholic Quarterly *In this book, Flint systematically articulates and defends Molinism... and the result is a rigorous, clear treatment.... I recommend this book very highly to specialists in the field. * The Journal of Religion *In an exceptionally engaging, clear, and ingenious book, Thomas P. Flint appeals to divine middle knowledge to present and defend an account of divine providence. In the process he mounts a sustained development and defense of the doctrine of middle knowledge. * Philosophia Christi *Thomas Flint, a leading proponent of 'Molinism', has written a stimulating exposition and defense of middle knowledge.... His are the arguments that anyone involved in the debate over Molinism will now have to engage, while even readers with little interest in divine providence may find the book worth studying just for its insights into explanatory priority, counterfactual power, and similar topics of general interest. -- David P. Hunt * International Journal for the Philosophy of Religion *This exposition is clear and full, measured and well-oiled. * Religious Studies *

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Book SynopsisAN ECONOMIST, GUARDIAN AND NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR A gripping narrative of the intertwined lives of the four philosophers whose ideas reshaped the twentieth centuryThe year is 1919. Walter Benjamin flees his overbearing father to scrape a living as a critic. Ludwig Wittgenstein, scion of one of Europe''s wealthiest families, signs away his inheritance, seeking spiritual clarity. Martin Heidegger renounces his faith and aligns his fortunes with Husserl''s phenomenological school. Ernst Cassirer sketches a new schema of human culture on a cramped Berlin tram. The stage is set for a great intellectual drama. Over the next decade the lives and thought of this quartet will converge and intertwine, as each gains world-historical significance, between them remaking philosophy.Time of the Magicians brings to life this miraculous burst of intellectual creativity, unparalleled in philosophy''s history, and with it an entire era, from post-war exuberance to economic crisis and the emergence of National Socialism. With great art, Wolfram Eilenberger traces the paths of these titanic figures through the tumult. He captures their personalities as well as their achievements, and illuminates with singular clarity the philosophies each embodied as well as espoused. It becomes an intellectual adventure story, a captivating journey through the greatest revolution in Western thought told through its four protagonists, each with their own penetrating gaze and answer to the question which has animated philosophy from the very beginning: What are we?Trade ReviewA tremendous feat of scholarship but also a technical masterpiece, knitting together the four men's love lives, money troubles, ontological anxieties and the wider ferment of the Weimar republic with uncommon dexterity -- Oliver Moody * The Times *Splendid, highly entertaining, attentive -- Jonathan Derbyshire * Financial Times *Magnificent, elegantly composed and beautifully narrated -- David Motadel * The Times Literary Supplement *Eilenberger's survey of high thoughts and low politics among German-language philosophers of the 1920s is a salutary tale for today, not just a gripping panorama of century-old dreams and feuds * Economist *Accessible and deeply human ... He draws these four intellectual magi out of the shadows of their writings -- John Kaag * The New York Times *Like any great story, Eilenberger's is not made up, but retrieved. Events have a way of narrating themselves when they encounter a gifted storyteller -- Costica Bradatan * Los Angeles Review of Books *A book of riches - full of stories as well as ideas, all brought together with a fine light touch -- Sarah Bakewell

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Book SynopsisA unique anthology featuring contributions to the dispute over free will from Aristotle to the twenty-first century, Derk Pereboom's volume presents the most thoughtful positions taken in this crucial debate and discusses their consequences for free will's traditional corollary, moral responsibility.The Second Edition retains the organizational structure that made its predecessor the leading anthology of its kind, while adding major new selections by such philosophers as Spinoza, Reid, John Martin Fischer, Robert Kane, Galen Strawson, and Timothy O'Connor.Hackett Readings in Philosophy is a versatile series of compact anthologies, each devoted to a topic of traditional interest. Selections include classical, modern, and contemporary writings chosen for their elegance of exposition and success at stimulating thought and discussion.Trade ReviewThe best collection I've seen at a price my students can afford. --Richard Kamber, The College of New Jersey

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Book SynopsisAlready a classic, this landmark account of early Western thought now appears in a new edition with expanded coverage of the Middle Ages. The Dream of Reason takes a fresh look at the writings of the great thinkers of classic philosophy and questions many pieces of conventional wisdom. The book invites comparison with Bertrand Russell''s monumental History of Western Philosophy, but Gottlieb''s book is less idiosyncratic and based on more recent scholarship (Colin McGinn, Los Angeles Times). A New York Times Notable Book, a Los Angeles Times Best Book, and a Times Literary Supplement Best Book of 2001.Trade ReviewA delight. It is written with both wit and scholarship, providing a wonderful overall picture of Western philosophy up to the Renaissance. -- Sir Roger Penrose[Gottlieb] writes with fluency and lucidity, with a gift for making even difficult matters seem comprehensible. -- Richard Jenkins * New York Times *Gottlieb is as enjoyable as he is intellectually stimulating. -- Robert Conquest * Los Angeles Times *

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis book demands close attention; it rewards rereading; it tackles big ideas unapologetically. In short, Eilenberger treats you like a grown-up ... This is a wonderful book -- Laura Hackett * The Sunday Times *In his enjoyable book, Eilenberger manages to convey not only his characters' complicated lives but the convoluted flow of their endlessly agitated minds ... the ceaseless intellectual questing of all four makes for fascinating reading. -- Caroline Moorehead * Guardian *This new book does something better: illuminates the times through which these philosophers developed their ideas - and vice versa - often drawing poignant parallels and discontinuities between the women -- Stuart Jeffries * Observer *All four women walked on the outside of power, politics, and philosophy, which is why their vision of what the world had become by the middle of the 20th century is so acute. If we want to keep our minds free in our own our own age of war and ideological absolutism, we could do worse than to retrace their steps. -- Lyndsey Stonebridge * Financial Times *An exhilarating journey through the lives and thought of four exceptional women whose effort to make sense of the dark times in which they lived is an essential compass for understanding our own. Deeply researched and intimately written, Eilenberger's book is an intellectual feast -- Lea YpiWhat was it like to be alive during Hitler's ascent? To read this vivid, gripping book is to relive that time through four of the century's most original minds - not just their evolving ideas but their daily frustrations and fears for the future. To them, philosophy was as concrete and urgent as food or safety, and Eilenberger shows you why -- Larissa MacFarquharThis is intellectual history at its best - lucid, rigorous and readable. The Visionaries is a gripping group biography and a much-needed reminder of the power of philosophy in the face of rising authoritarianism -- James McAuley

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Gander's Self-Understanding and Lifeworld is an eminent text within contemporary Continental philosophy. An English translation is essential and Ryan Drake and Joshua Rayman have done an admirable job preserving the style of the German." -Lawrence K. Schmidt, author of Understanding HermeneuticsTable of ContentsTranslators' IntroductionForeword Introduction1. Exposition of the Connection Between Self-Being, Lifeworld, and History 2. Conception and Outline of the Treatise with an Excursis on the Paratextual Functions of RemarksPart One. In the Network of Texts: Toward the Perspective Character of Understanding3. Inception and Beginning: Toward a Fore-Structure of Understanding4. Approaching the Question of Interpretation: On the Relation of "Author-Text-Reader"5. On the Relation of Writing and Reading to Self-Formation6. The Text as a Connection of Sense in the Horizon of the Occurrence of Tradition as Effective History7. In the Governing Network of Discourse8. The Sense-Creating Potential of Texts: The Modification of the World9. Excursis on the Metaphor of the "Book of the World"10. In the Network of Tradition: On Understanding as an Incursion into the Current of Texts11. On the Interpretive Character of Knowledge in the Wake of the Historicity of Understanding12. Parenthesis on the Discourse of Metaphysics "as such" as a Problem of an Epochal Revaluation in View of a Signature of the Present13. Critical Remarks on the Concept of an Absolute ReasonPart Two. I and World: The Question Concerning the Ground of PhilosophyChapter One. On the Search for the Certainty of the I14. Toward the Task of a Hermeneutical Interpretation of the Concept and its Relation to Everyday Experience: An Approximation15. Wonder and Doubt: On the Entry-Point of Philosophical Reflection16. Under the Spell of Certainty: Descartes' Self-Certainty of the 'I am' as a Hermeneutical Problem17. The Ontological Positioning of the Cartesian Ego Between Acquisition of the Self and Loss of the WorldChapter Two. On Life in Lifeworlds: Critical Considerations of Husserl's Phenomenology of the Lifeworld18. The Concept of 'Lifeworld' as an Indication of the Problem19. Husserl's Recourse to as an "Irruption into the Theoretical Attitude"20. The Problem of Objectivism in the Tension Between and 21. Toward a Philosophical Thematization of Natural Life-in-the-World22. On Husserl's Transcendental Self-Grounding of Philosophy with a View to the Question of the World23. Husserl's Application of the Task of a Lifeworldly Ontology24. The Function of History in Husserl's Transcendental-Phenomenological ConceptionPart Three. Self-Understanding and the Historical World: Basic Traits of a Hermeneutical Ontology of FacticityChapter One. The Hermeneutical Turn: Heidegger's Critical Dialogue with Husserlian Phenomenology25. Husserl versus Heidegger: On Situating their Disagreement26. The Hermeneutical Stance on a Second View27. The 'Blind Spot' in the Phenomenological Eye: Heidegger's Critique of Husserl with a View to the Structure of Carea. Phenomenological Maxims of Research and Cognitive Intentionb. The 'Actual Things of Philosophy': The Being of the Human28. The Metamorphosis of Phenomenology into the Hermeneuticala. In Connection with the Tendencies of Lebensphilosophieb. The Hermeneutical Approach in Pre-Theoretical Lifec. The New Hermeneutical Accentuation of Phenomenology29. The Function and Relation of the Hermeneutical Ontology of Facticity, Fundamental Ontology, and Metontology30. Aspects of a Contemporary Philosophical Situating of the Discourse on FacticityChapter Two. The Experiental Structure of the Self: Toward a Hermeneutics of Factical Historical Life31. The Leap into the World: On Outlining the Factical-Hermeneutical Concept of Experience32. Analysis of Environmental Experience33. Remarks on the Problematic of the Foreign34. The Self-World as the Center of Life-Relations35. The Having-of-Oneself within the Field of Tension between Winning and Losing Oneself36. The Structure of the Self as a Function of Life-Experience37. On the Status of a Hermeneutics of Facticity as Ontological HermeneuticsChapter Three. Application-Destruktion-History: Hermeneutical Sketches of a Philosophy of the Situation38. Hermeneutical Application39. The Critical Sense: On the Task of Phenomenological Destruktion40. History as the Organon of Understanding LifeOpen End41. Retrospective Reflections on the World-Conceptual Relevance of a Hermeneutics of FacticityBibliography

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Book SynopsisIn Politics, Money, and Persuasion, distinguished philosopher John Russon offers a new framework for interpreting Plato's The Republic.Trade Review"Early in his introduction, John Russon comments that the Republic is the source of seemingly never-ending insights and fresh interpretations. He then goes on to substantiate this insight with his own fresh and provocative reading of this much-interpreted dialogue. His own reading sets out as a guiding insight that logos, the peculiarly human ability to "give an account," to formulate abstractions from specific instances, is a double-edged sword, at once a source of wondrous achievement and destructive misunderstanding, of philosophic insight and sophistic deception. This guiding principle leads to one thought-provoking insight after another—a genuinely fresh reading of the Republic."—Drew Hyland, Charles A. Dana Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Trinity College"Like all truly excellent works of interpretation, John Russon's reading of the Republic is an original and quite radical departure from traditional approaches, which nonetheless once it is set out in his characteristically lucid and direct philosophical prose, presents itself as almost obvious and common-sensical."—Sean D. Kirkland, author of The Ontology of Socratic Questioning in Plato's Early Dialogues"Politics, Money, and Persuasion is a challenging and far-reaching exploration of the core issues of Plato's Republic, doing justice to what John Russon calls the 'concrete rationality' of the text, while opening up new perspectives on the meaningfulness of democracy, opinion, persuasion, rationality, and the philosophical life."—Robert Metcalf, coauthor of Plato at Syracuse: Essays on Plato in Western Greece"Russon's book is a timely exploration of how our habits of reason inform the possibility of healthy cities and souls. Russon examines the political consequences of how human beings "take account" of the world and of themselves, and in doing so also offers a vision of what a philosophical engagment with politics might look like. This work shows us the continued relevance of reading Plato's Republic today."—Marina McCoy, Boston CollegeTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsNote on Translations and CitationsIntroductionPolitics, Money and Persuasion1. The Problem of Abstraction2. The Currencies of PowerThe Vicissitudes of Opinion3. True Opinion4. PersuasionConclusionBibliographyIndex of subjectsIndex of passages

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Book SynopsisIn Politics, Money, and Persuasion, distinguished philosopher John Russon offers a new framework for interpreting Plato's The Republic.Trade Review"Early in his introduction, John Russon comments that the Republic is the source of seemingly never-ending insights and fresh interpretations. He then goes on to substantiate this insight with his own fresh and provocative reading of this much-interpreted dialogue. His own reading sets out as a guiding insight that logos, the peculiarly human ability to "give an account," to formulate abstractions from specific instances, is a double-edged sword, at once a source of wondrous achievement and destructive misunderstanding, of philosophic insight and sophistic deception. This guiding principle leads to one thought-provoking insight after another—a genuinely fresh reading of the Republic."—Drew Hyland, Charles A. Dana Professor of Philosophy Emeritus, Trinity College"Like all truly excellent works of interpretation, John Russon's reading of the Republic is an original and quite radical departure from traditional approaches, which nonetheless once it is set out in his characteristically lucid and direct philosophical prose, presents itself as almost obvious and common-sensical."—Sean D. Kirkland, author of The Ontology of Socratic Questioning in Plato's Early Dialogues"Politics, Money, and Persuasion is a challenging and far-reaching exploration of the core issues of Plato's Republic, doing justice to what John Russon calls the 'concrete rationality' of the text, while opening up new perspectives on the meaningfulness of democracy, opinion, persuasion, rationality, and the philosophical life."—Robert Metcalf, coauthor of Plato at Syracuse: Essays on Plato in Western Greece"Russon's book is a timely exploration of how our habits of reason inform the possibility of healthy cities and souls. Russon examines the political consequences of how human beings "take account" of the world and of themselves, and in doing so also offers a vision of what a philosophical engagment with politics might look like. This work shows us the continued relevance of reading Plato's Republic today."—Marina McCoy, Boston CollegeTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsNote on Translations and CitationsIntroductionPolitics, Money and Persuasion1. The Problem of Abstraction2. The Currencies of PowerThe Vicissitudes of Opinion3. True Opinion4. PersuasionConclusionBibliographyIndex of subjectsIndex of passages

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Book SynopsisThe Inner Word in Gadamer’s Hermeneutics is an intellectual history and textual analysis of Hans-Georg Gadamer’s famous and obscure theme of the verbum interius.Trade Review“Consummately researched, lucidly written, and persuasively argued throughout, The Inner Word succeeds brilliantly in bringing to light this neglected but pivotal matter in Gadamer’s work. Arthos is learned in the best ‘humanist’ way, for he succeeds in creating something new of his own that will speak eloquently to all of us.” —Walter Jost, University of Virginia“Gadamer suggests that the Christian idea of incarnation is a key to his hermeneutics, but does not explain his position in a detailed or systematic manner. Arthos brings his considerable knowledge of hermeneutics and rhetoric to bear on Gadamer's insight, recounting the rich intellectual history to which Gadamer gestures, and providing an extended and detailed exegesis of this pivotal point in the third part of Truth and Method. Gadamer's account of 'linguisticality,' Arthos explains, can best be understood through his use of a complex metaphor—the ‘inner word.’ Arthos matches his erudition with clear and clean prose, and his account exemplifies, rather than just describes, Gadamer's hermeneutical philosophy. Any scholar interested in Gadamer's philosophy should have this book on his or her shelf.” —Francis J. Mootz III, William S. Boyd Professor of Law, William S. Boyd School of Law“Arthos's strength lies for me in his careful reading of the sources. He effectively commands the literature on the subject. This work shows in a sophisticated way the legacy of trinitarian theology for philosophical hermeneutics. The very complex task of illuminating the phenomenon of the verbum interius and indicating its centrality for philosophical hermeneutics is accomplished by John Arthos with great sensitivity to the subject matter.” —Andrzej Wiercinski, The International Institute for Hermeneutics“John Arthos’s . . . book . . . will be a model for future scholarship on Gadamer’s intellectual inheritance. . . . Drawing widely from Gadamer’s writings while focusing on one crucial move in Gadamer’s argument, it provides both a systemic interpretation of Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics and an informative overview of those views—ancient, medieval and modern—that helped shape crucial aspects of Gadamer’s thought.” —Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews“Arthos’s book is arguably the definitive statement on how to read Gadamer’s Trinitarian claim . . . an indispensable resource to practical rhetorical critics as well as to theorists in understanding what is at issue in our assumptions about language, agency, and meaning.” —Rhetoric and Public Affairs“While offering a close reading of Gadamer’s position on the inner word, the author’s book stands as a valid contribution to the philosophy and theology of ‘Logos,’ one that leads the reader to a more profound understanding of the nature of language and the linguistic self.” —Catholic Library World“. . . Arthos’s book provides a rich resource in delving into both the history of the verbum and its hermeneutic appropriation by Gadamer. This work, then, is not only an essential read for Gadamerian scholars but also a valuable source for those interested in engaging the masters of medieval thought with the hermeneutic turn.” —International Philosophical Quarterly“Arthos explicates and emphasizes the contribution Gadamer made in Truth and Method to hermeneutics and the study of human communication. The book’s most significant contribution, however, is its historical focus.” —Journal of Communication and Religion“Arthos justly celebrates the inherent humanism of Gadamer’s hermeneutics and has aided our understanding of Gadamer with his thorough elucidation of a very difficult passage in Truth and Method.” —Monatshefte"[The Inner Word in Gadamer's Hermeneutics] is a 360 page magisterial study of the roughly ten pages of the 'Language and Verbum' section in Truth and Method, in which Gadamer treats of the topic of the inner word . . . Methodically researched and engagingly written, [the book], however, is no dry academic tome. For Arthos's purpose is not only to exegete these pages but to inquire 'into the paradigmatic significance of a hermeneutic logos for our culture.' . . . Indeed, he succeeds not only in his inquiry but also in demonstrating, i.e., producing, the very workings of a culturally relevant hermeneutics." —The Heythrop Journal

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Book SynopsisThis work traces the development of Heidegger's explanation of philosophy as a methodological atheism, relating it to his reading of Aristotle, Aquinas and Nietzsche. A predominant issue throughout this study is Heidegger's pursuit of an answer to the question: how did God get into philosophy?Trade Review“This book introduces some much-needed structure, sophistication, and close attention to textual detail into what are by now well-worn and increasingly convoluted debates about Heidegger’s relation to theology and religious belief. . . . Few people are as familiar with and attentive to the full sweep of Heidegger’s writings as Hemming proves himself to be; and those in the fields of theology and philosophy of religion who are desirous of finding inspiration and sustenance for their endeavours from this particular domain of philosophy can rest assured that Hemming is a reliable and sophisticated guide.” —Religious Studies“I can recommend the book to anybody who feels ready to be challenged in his self-certainty and assurance in faith, and who has a genuinely critical interest in the meaning of his own existence and of the age and society he inhabits. The book is accessible to those not yet introduced to Heidegger’s particular terminology. . . . The book will be also of immense interest to Heidegger scholars, especially those interested in the relation between Heidegger and theology. . . . [T]his book could stir afresh theological thinking that admits its limits before God but takes up its own way of thought, guided—and called into question—by the Word of God.” —Theology Today“Heidegger’s Atheism is a very well researched account of the sequence of Heidegger’s relation to religion and theology. It contains one of the best discussions in any language of the ‘turn’ or Kehre, as well as a first-rate account of Heidegger’s crucial relationship to scholasticism and, in particular, to Thomas Aquinas. This book makes a crucial contribution to Heidegger research.” —John Milbank, Frances Ball Professor of Philosophical Theology, University of Virginia“[Hemming] has written an important work. It transcends the alternative interpretations that serve as its foils. It deserves serious attention from anyone who would closely explore Heidegger’s religious views.” —Theological Studies“Heidegger’s Atheism is based on extensive research, in-depth textual analyses, and much scholarly debate.” —Choice“Hemming offers a well-grounded study of exactly what Heidegger’s atheism entails . . . highly recommended.” —Library Journal“His book is best conceived as a careful listening to and thinking with Heidegger. . . . Hemming has established . . . a highly original and fiercely independent viewpoint. . . . ” —The Thomist

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Book SynopsisTreatise on Divine Predestination is one of the early writings of the author of the great philosophical work Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature), Johannes Scottus (the Irishman), known as Eriugena (died c. 877 A.D.). It contributes to the age-old debate on the question of human destiny in the present world and in the afterlife.The work survives in a single manuscript of which editions were published in 1650 and 1853. It has been most recently edited in 1978. The present translation was made from that edition. Modern scholars are able to discern in this early work strong intimations of Eriugena''s later major writings.Trade Review“The De divina praedestinatione liber was written in 850-51 at the request of two prelates while John the Scot resided at the court of Charles II, grandson of Charlemagne. It is his earliest attested work, a refutation of the heretical teaching of Gottschalk on double predestination. Both John and Gottschalk claimed to base their interpretation on St. Augustine, and both continued to be subjects of controversy during the decade between 850 and 860.” —Theology Digest“Mary Brennan’s translation is as helpful as her foreword. The rendition into English of Madec’s text from the Corpus Christianorum is careful. The book is elegantly produced and a delight to read.” —The Medieval Review

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Book SynopsisWritten for general readers and students, this book provides an accessible and brief metaphysical defense of freedom.Trade Review“[A] highly accessible introduction to the central issues and arguments associated with the determinist-compatibilist-libertarian debate. Although addressed to the general reader, the book is richly and densely argued and accomplishes a great deal within its brief span of pages.” —American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly“This book is clearly the product of a subtle mind, one that has managed to say something striking about many aspects of this difficult and important problem.” — Faith and Philosophy"The issue of free will and determinism is one of the few perennial philosophical controversies that captures the interest of the general reader and is directly relevant to how one perceives one's everyday experience. . . . This is overall a readable and insightful attempt to solve a problem that is at the center of human experience."—Catholic Library World

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Book SynopsisSeeking to understand the doctrine of justification by way of biblical hermeneutics, this book uncovers the differences between Martin Luther and the Council of Trent that set them on a collision course for conflict, and the church toward what has arguably been its most significant division in the West.As Catholics and Lutherans continue to engage in dialogue about their shared faith and differing confessions, the need remains for a discerning study of the ways in which the Bible functioned in the Reformation's central theological clash: the understanding and import of the doctrine of justification. Peter Folan's incisive analysis in this volume fulfills that need. Through a careful reading of the debate's most significant texts, he shows both how Martin Luther and the Council of Trent relied upon scripture to arrive at their respective formulations of the doctrine and how such seemingly divergent conclusions about the human person's salvation in Christ could be groundTrade Review“A book like this is very rare and very precious, for its content, for its unique method, and for its contribution not only to academic debates about ecumenical associations but also in terms of nurturing real-life friendships across the denominational divides.” —Kirsi Stjerna, author of Lutheran Theology"The ecumenical dialogue needs a thorough study of the ways the Bible was read in the Reformer's central theological debate on justification, which is precisely what this book offers." —Heythrop Journal"Martin Luther and the Council of Trent: The Battle Over Scripture and the Doctrine of Justification is a masterful exploration of how scriptural hermeneutics and citations create both doctrinal consensus and doctrinal disagreement." —Reading Religion * Reading Religion *Table of ContentsList of Tables Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction 1. Mapping the Battlefield: Highlights of the Genesis and the Pre-Sixteenth Century Development of the Doctrine of Justification 2. Stepping on To the Field of Battle: Luther on Justification in 1520 3. Fortifying a Position: Luther on Justification in 1531 4. Squaring Off Against an Unnamed but not Unknown Opponent: The Council of Trent on Justification 5. The Tactics of the Battle: An Analysis of the Biblical Texts and Hermeneutics Operative in Luther and Trent Epilogue Works Cited Index

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Book SynopsisAbelard in Four Dimensions: A Twelfth-Century Philosopher in His Context and Ours by John Marenbon, one of the leading scholars of medieval philosophy and a specialist on Abelard''s thought, originated from a set of lectures in the distinguished Conway Lectures in Medieval Studies series and provides new interpretations of central areas of Peter Abelard''s philosophy and its influence. The four dimensions of Abelard to which the title refers are that of the past (Abelard''s predecessors), present (his works in context), future (the influence of his thinking up to the seventeenth century), and the present-day philosophical culture in which Abelard''s works are still discussed and his arguments debated.For readers new to Abelard, this book provides an introduction to his life and works along with discussion of his central ideas in semantics, ethics, metaphysics, and philosophy of religion. For specialists, the book contains new arguments about the authenticity and chronoTrade Review"This searching, thorough, and original study examines Abelard's past, present, and future, and our present. John Marenbon offers the best enquiry yet made into the sequence of Abelard's writings and their chronology, followed by an incisive and highly illuminating account of the various, successive formulations of his 'unpopular argument' to the effect that God cannot do otherwise than as he does. This is an accomplished work which will be eagerly read and hugely appreciated by students and their teachers on courses of philosophy, theology, and history." —David Luscombe, University of Sheffield"Marenbon (Cambridge University), an important scholar of medieval philosophy, here returns to a topic that occupied him some years ago: the philosophy of Peter Abelard. Rather than serving as a general treatment of Abelard's philosophy, this book focuses on four different ways of reading the philosopher: in terms of his predecessors, his contemporaries, and his historical influence, and in terms of contemporary philosophy. This volume . . . will not disappoint. It should prove useful to students of Peter Abelard and of medieval thought more generally." —Choice"As a volume of Conway lectures, it is a worthy peer to sit alongside the recent contributions of Rosamund McKitterick, Jonathan Riley Smith, A. C. Spearing, and Barbara Newman. I hope this book will reach a wider audience of medievalists than only philosophers, theologians, and twelfth-century specialists (for whom it will be indispensable), if only for the tentative but convincing answer Marenbon provides to the immediately pressing question of the relevance of medieval studies." —Speculum“In this book, John Marenbon takes on select issues from Abelard’s philosophy and theology that have proven to be problematic. These he submits to close examination, hewing his own path in submitting these topics to careful scrutiny, never coming to easy conclusions, but offering original insights. For audiences responsive to Marenbon’s approach his book offers value.” —Mediaevistik“Much of what is explored here is explored with clarity, care, and judgment. In an important sense Marenbon proves the thesis of the book: that historical understanding and background helpfully informs attempts to see in thinkers from another era versions of contemporary theories and can prevent misreadings of many kinds.” —Journal of the History of Philosophy"Abelard in Four Dimensions is an excellent introduction to the study of Peter Abelard. The 'four dimensions' in the title refer to future, past, and present—Abelard's and our own. . . . In his conclusion, Marenbon reflects intelligently on how best to bring medieval thinkers into the contemporary discussion: not by distortion, forcing medieval ideas into 'a conceptual framework where they do not belong,' but by asking ourselves not only how they resemble modern positions, but also how the problems addressed differ from those today's philosophers pose." —The Medieval Review“Throughout this book, but especially in its conclusion, Marenbon steps back and reflects upon methodologies of historians of philosophy. [Marenbon] has identified some weighty issues that any historian of philosophy must address, and one would be well advised to read Marenbon’s thoughtful remarks on this subject.” —Vivarium

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Book SynopsisAssuming that people want to be happy, can we show that they cannot be happy without being ethical, and that all rational people therefore should be able to see that it is in their own best interest to be ethical? Is it irrational to reject ethics? Aristotle thought so, claims Anna Lännström; but, she adds, he also thought that there was no way to prove it to a skeptic or an immoral person. Lännström probes Aristotle''s view that desire is crucial to decision making and to the formation of moral habits, pinpointing the love of the fine as the starting point of any argument for ethics. Those who love the fine can be persuaded that ethics is a crucial part of our happiness. However, as Lännström explains, the immoral person does not share this love, and therefore Aristotle denied that any argument would convince the immoral person to become good. Lännström maintains that Aristotle''s Ethics speaks not just to ancient Greeks but to all those who already love the fiTrade Review“Explores the Greek philosopher’s view of the relationship between ethics and happiness.” —The Chronicle of Higher Education"Loving the Fine is a very interesting manuscript, treating some of the most significant issues in moral philosophy. As is well known, Aristotelian moral philosophy has undergone a great revival in the last quarter century through the work of scholars such as MacIntyre, Anscombe, and Nussbaum, to name only a few. Lännström enters into the debates that this revival has engendered and has important things to say about them." —Gilbert Meilaender, Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Professor of Christian Ethics, Valparaiso University

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Book SynopsisAimed at introductory students and general readers interested in thinking and God in the context of modern thought and experience. Discusses work by Kant, Dostoevsky and Heidegger amongst others.Table of ContentsWhat is the philosophy of religion?; modern trends (i) - history; modern trends (ii) - the turn to the subject; modern trends (iii) - the linguistic turn; "nothing but..."; a matter of interpretation; beyond criticism; theodicy; evil and subjectivity; eternal life.

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Book SynopsisAs an advanced introduction to the challenging topic of free will, this book is designed for upper-level undergraduates interested in a comprehensive first-stop into the fieldâs issues and debates. It is written by two of the leading participants in those debatesâa compatibilist on the issue of free will and determinism (Michael McKenna) and an incompatibilist (Derk Pereboom). These two authors achieve an admirable objectivity and clarity while still illuminating the fieldâs complexity and key advances. Each chapter is structured to work as one weekâs primary reading in a course on free will, while more advanced courses can dip into the annotated further readings, suggested at the end of each chapter. A comprehensive bibliography as well as detailed subject and author indexes are included at the back of the book.Trade Review"A superb introduction to free will by a pair of leading figures on the topic. This excellent teaching tool for advanced undergraduates is at once commendably rigorous and highly accessible."Alfred Mele, Florida State University, USA"This terrific book excels on every dimension. It provides a map of the debates about free will, covering broad swaths of terrain without sacrificing attention to detail, and doing so in an engaging way that can be appreciated by interested newcomers to the field and those who have long been working and teaching in it alike."Dana Nelkin, University of California-San Diego, USA"For a definitive tour of the foundational issues in the philosophical debates about free will, you cannot do better than this book. It is a master class in what the issues are, how we got here, and the stakes of it all. Written by two of the most prominent and influential figures working in the field today, this book covers takes you through all the major issues of the last sixty years of philosophical work on free will. It is a model of clarity, impartial assessment of the options, and insight into the perplexing nature of free will. Whether you are a student, professional philosopher, scientist, or interested layperson, McKenna and Pereboom’s introduction to the philosophy of free will is the gold standard. It is fantastic."Manuel Vargas, University of San Francisco, USA"Free Will: A Contemporary Introduction is an extremely good book. It is a sorely needed introduction to the topic of free will that will be useful not just to those who want to teach free will but to any philosopher who wants to be brought up to date on the contemporary debate. It contains discussions of all of the leading views in the field, with lots of interesting and original insights into the various issues."Mark Balaguer, California State University-Los Angeles, USA"McKenna and Pereboom are celebrities among philosophers working on free will and moral responsibility and their book is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art introduction to contemporary philosophical debate. Their prose is clear and accessible, suitable for upper level undergraduates as well as professional philosophers. McKenna and Pereboom break down the arguments for all of the competing positions, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and the ethical implications of accepting them. Read this book if you want to learn about where things stand today in this exciting field. What you do with that knowledge is up to you. (Or is it?)"Tamler Sommers, University of Houston, USATable of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1: Free Will, Moral Responsibility, & Determinism Chapter 2: The Free Will Problem Chapter 3: Classical Compatibilism & Classical Incompatibilism Chapter 4: The Debate over the Consequence Argument Chapter 5: Alternative Possibilities and Frankfurt Cases Chapter 6: Strawsonian Compatibilism Chapter 7: Recent Developments: Source Incompatibilism & the Compatibilists’ BurdenChapter 8: Contemporary Compatibilism: Seven Recent ViewsChapter 9: Contemporary Compatibilism: Mesh, Reasons-responsive & Leeway TheoriesChapter 10: Contemporary Incompatibilism: LibertarianismChapter 11: Contemporary Incompatibilism: Free Will SkepticismChapter 12: Revisionism and Some Remaining IssuesBibliography

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Book SynopsisOne of the twentieth century''s most influential books, this classic work of anthropology offers a groundbreaking exploration of what culture isWith The Interpretation of Cultures, the distinguished anthropologist Clifford Geertz developed the concept of thick description, and in so doing, he virtually rewrote the rules of his field. Culture, Geertz argues, does not drive human behavior. Rather, it is a web of symbols that can help us better understand what that behavior means. A thick description explains not only the behavior, but the context in which it occurs, and to describe something thickly, Geertz argues, is the fundamental role of the anthropologist.Named one of the 100 most important books published since World War II by the Times Literary Supplement, The Interpretation of Cultures transformed how we think about others'' cultures and our own. This definitive edition, with a foreword by Robert Darnton, remains an essential book for anthropologists, historians, and anyone else seeking to better understand human cultures.

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Book SynopsisDrawing on research in anthropology, psychology, and a host of other disciplines, this book argues that cross-cultural variation raises serious problems for theories that propose universally applicable conditions for moral responsibility. It develops a way of thinking about responsibility that takes cultural diversity into account.Trade Review"This is a penetrating and far-reaching book."--Julian Baggini, Financial Times "[T]his is a keenly argued yet surprisingly accessible book that presents a provocative thesis that should not be ignored."--Choice "There is much to like about Relative Justice. It pursues and interesting line of reasoning in a literature literally littered with rehashed arguments and stubborn dialectics."--Matt King, Philosopher's MagazineTable of Contents*FrontMatter, pg. i*Contents, pg. ix*Acknowledgments, pg. xi*Introduction, pg. 1*Chapter One. The Appeal to Intuition, pg. 9*Chapter Two. Moral Responsibility and the Culture of Honor, pg. 33*Chapter Three. Shame Cultures, Collectivist Societies, Original Sin, And Pharaoh's Hardened Heart, pg. 63*Chapter Four. Can the Variation Be Explained Away?, pg. 84*Chapter Five. Where Do We Go from Here?, pg. 111*Chapter Six. A Metaskeptical Analysis of Libertarianism and Compatibilism, pg. 133*Chapter Seven. A Very Tentative Metaskeptical Endorsement of Eliminativism about Moral Responsibility, pg. 173*Notes, pg. 203*Bibliography, pg. 213*Index, pg. 223

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Book SynopsisPresents a novel account of hope, the motivational resources it presupposes, and its function in our practical lives. This title contends that hoping for an outcome means treating certain feelings, plans, and imaginings as justified, and that hope thereby involves sophisticated reflective and conceptual capacities.Trade Review"Inspired by her work with terminally ill cancer patients, Martin provides a valuable analysis of hope that makes excellent use of the tools of analytic philosophy, recent work in neuropsychology, and the philosophies of Immanuel Kant and Gabriel Marcel."--Choice "[A] short but substantial tome... Anyone who is interested in the ethics of hope will find a great deal of valuable insight in this book."--Ben Sherman, Philosophy in Review "Martin not only insightfully advances the philosophical literature on hope, but also, maybe more importantly, provides substantial food for thought to anyone whose philosophical interests encompass desires and motivations."--Rachel Fredericks, Mind "Martin's work is a timely and instructive contribution to a rapidly expanding literature on hope."--Aaron D. Cobb, Journal of Moral PhilosophyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix INTRODUCTION What Is Hope? 1 Questions about Hope 1 The Orthodox Definition and Its Critics 4 Hope as a Syndrome 6 The Incorporation Analysis 7 Summary of Chapters 8 CHAPTER 1 Beyond the Orthodox Definition of Hope 11 The Orthodox Definition in the Modern Period 11 The Orthodox Definition in Recent Philosophy 13 Challenge Cases 14 First Analysis: Luc Bovens and Mental Imaging 17 Second Analysis: Ariel Meirav and External Factors 19 Third Analysis: Philip Pettit and Cognitive Resolve 20 Final Analysis: Incorporation 24 Hopeful Thoughts: Fantasy 25 Hopeful Feelings: Anticipation 29 Summary 34 CHAPTER 2 Incorporation 35 Understanding Mental States through Their Fundamental Norms 36 Two Constraints on Reasons 38 Normative Governance Requires Deliberative Responsiveness 38 Deliberation Constrains Reasons 41 The Licensing Stance 44 The Transparency of Doxastic Deliberation to Evidence 46 Putting Transparency and Deliberation Constrains Reasons Together 48 Practical Deliberation about the Licensing Stance 48 The Other Part of the Incorporation Element: Treating Desire as a Practical Reason 52 The Inadequacy of Monist Theories of Motivation 54 The Dualist Theory: Subrational and Rational Motivational Representations 58 Hope as Incorporation 61 Hoping and End-Setting 64 Cases: Hoping without End-Setting 66 The End-Setting Conception's Inability to Accommodate These Cases 67 Conclusion: A Unified Theory of Hope and the Worry about Excessive Reflectiveness 69 CHAPTER 3 Suicide and Sustenance 72 Virtue and Sustenance 72 The First Extreme: Aquinas and Irascible Hope 75 The Thomistic "Inner Cathedral" 76 The Concupiscible and Irascible Passions 77 The Second Extreme: Calhoun and Seconding Practical Commitment 82 Hopeful Fantasies and Sustenance 85 Contingent Sustenance 91 An Example: "Self-Help" and Self-Sabotage 94 Summary 96 CHAPTER 4 Faith and Sustenance without Contingency 98 Chief Plenty Coups and Unimaginable Hope 98 Kant on the Highest Good and Morally Obligatory Hope 101 The Transformation of Hope into Faith 105 Marcel's Hope 108 Grounding Hope in Love 111 The Possibility of Secular Faith 114 Summary 117 CHAPTER 5 Normative Hope 118 Strawson and the Reactive Attitudes 118 Mapping the Territory: Interpersonal Relations 121 Gratitude, Disappointment, and Normative Hope 125 Hope for the Vicious 136 Summary 140 CONCLUSION Human Passivity, Agency, and Hope 141 Index 147

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Inspired by her work with terminally ill cancer patients, Martin provides a valuable analysis of hope that makes excellent use of the tools of analytic philosophy, recent work in neuropsychology, and the philosophies of Immanuel Kant and Gabriel Marcel."--Choice "[A] short but substantial tome... Anyone who is interested in the ethics of hope will find a great deal of valuable insight in this book."--Ben Sherman, Philosophy in Review "Martin not only insightfully advances the philosophical literature on hope, but also, maybe more importantly, provides substantial food for thought to anyone whose philosophical interests encompass desires and motivations."--Rachel Fredericks, Mind "Martin's work is a timely and instructive contribution to a rapidly expanding literature on hope."--Aaron D. Cobb, Journal of Moral PhilosophyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix INTRODUCTION What Is Hope? 1 Questions about Hope 1 The Orthodox Definition and Its Critics 4 Hope as a Syndrome 6 The Incorporation Analysis 7 Summary of Chapters 8 CHAPTER 1 Beyond the Orthodox Definition of Hope 11 The Orthodox Definition in the Modern Period 11 The Orthodox Definition in Recent Philosophy 13 Challenge Cases 14 First Analysis: Luc Bovens and Mental Imaging 17 Second Analysis: Ariel Meirav and External Factors 19 Third Analysis: Philip Pettit and Cognitive Resolve 20 Final Analysis: Incorporation 24 Hopeful Thoughts: Fantasy 25 Hopeful Feelings: Anticipation 29 Summary 34 CHAPTER 2 Incorporation 35 Understanding Mental States through Their Fundamental Norms 36 Two Constraints on Reasons 38 Normative Governance Requires Deliberative Responsiveness 38 Deliberation Constrains Reasons 41 The Licensing Stance 44 The Transparency of Doxastic Deliberation to Evidence 46 Putting Transparency and Deliberation Constrains Reasons Together 48 Practical Deliberation about the Licensing Stance 48 The Other Part of the Incorporation Element: Treating Desire as a Practical Reason 52 The Inadequacy of Monist Theories of Motivation 54 The Dualist Theory: Subrational and Rational Motivational Representations 58 Hope as Incorporation 61 Hoping and End-Setting 64 Cases: Hoping without End-Setting 66 The End-Setting Conception's Inability to Accommodate These Cases 67 Conclusion: A Unified Theory of Hope and the Worry about Excessive Reflectiveness 69 CHAPTER 3 Suicide and Sustenance 72 Virtue and Sustenance 72 The First Extreme: Aquinas and Irascible Hope 75 The Thomistic "Inner Cathedral" 76 The Concupiscible and Irascible Passions 77 The Second Extreme: Calhoun and Seconding Practical Commitment 82 Hopeful Fantasies and Sustenance 85 Contingent Sustenance 91 An Example: "Self-Help" and Self-Sabotage 94 Summary 96 CHAPTER 4 Faith and Sustenance without Contingency 98 Chief Plenty Coups and Unimaginable Hope 98 Kant on the Highest Good and Morally Obligatory Hope 101 The Transformation of Hope into Faith 105 Marcel's Hope 108 Grounding Hope in Love 111 The Possibility of Secular Faith 114 Summary 117 CHAPTER 5 Normative Hope 118 Strawson and the Reactive Attitudes 118 Mapping the Territory: Interpersonal Relations 121 Gratitude, Disappointment, and Normative Hope 125 Hope for the Vicious 136 Summary 140 CONCLUSION Human Passivity, Agency, and Hope 141 Index 147

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsIntroduction vii Journal NB 26 1 Journal NB 27 113 Journal NB 28 213 Journal NB 29 295 Journal NB 30 385 Notes for Journal NB 26 503 Notes for Journal NB 27 561 Notes for Journal NB 28 593 Notes for Journal NB 29 637 Notes for Journal NB 30 701 Maps 757 Calendar 765 Concordance 773

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"While the topic can get swamped in jargon, Michael Ruse, a professor of philosophy at Florida State University, is anything but a dry writer. In On Purpose, he revels in the arguments that philosophers, scientists and religious saints have had over ‘the big picture’ for the past 2,000 years. . . . Taking his cue from his own Quaker upbringing, [Ruse] argues that three things remain deeply satisfying in life, even if philosophically one ends up on the side of Epicurus and his denial of design: family; a life of service to others; and, not surprisingly for a philosopher, the life of the mind. For many people, there is indeed purpose in each of these, and perhaps, Mr. Ruse suggests, that is enough."---John Farrell, Wall Street Journal"Philosopher and perennial defender of evolution Ruse takes readers on a historical and constructive tour through one of the most importunate issues in basic metaphysics: is there any purpose behind the things--the universe, humans, nature, et al.--that are, and, if so, what is its nature and where does it come from? . . . As always, Ruse defends evolutionary science while valuing the beauty and expressiveness of human culture." * Library Journal *"A deeply intelligent book that treats key thinkers in philosophy, religion and the sciences fairly, humorously and with a virtuosity reflecting more than half a century in the field."---Paul Biegler, Cosmos"On Purpose is a book that represents Ruse at his most wide-ranging and engaging. . . . [He] is akin to the most enthusiastic and entertaining tour guide one could have through an already compelling exhibit at a museum."---Mark E. Borrello, Quarterly Review of Biology"On Purpose works both as an introductory text as well as a philosophical testament. . . . A book where one learns about the history of philosophy and the history of science, but not neutrally so, since one is looking through the eyes of one of the most active participants in recent debates."---Hugh Desmond, Science & Education

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Midlife has a self-soothing quality. . . . [It] teaches a lesson about midlife: it’s sometimes best to go with the flow."---Joshua Rothman, New Yorker"Mr. Setiya hopes to lift sufferers out of this dip [of midlife] and help them flourish by conveying the insights of modern philosophy. . . . For a philosophy professor, [he] can be refreshingly unstuffy. He doesn't see a flashy sports car as a midlife crisis-mobile, that trite substitute for lost youth and virility. No, he sees it as an opportunity to change from goal-oriented, utilitarian thinking to a life-affirming experience of being in the moment."---Eric Felten, Wall Street Journal"Setiya serves as an engaging companion for those in the throes of the dreaded midlife crisis, as he brings the wisdom of the ages to bear on the contemporary malaise. A self-help book with a strong--but not heavy-handed--philosophical foundation." * Kirkus *"[Setiya’s] book is a reminder that philosophy, at its best, can be both wise and humane."---Anil Gomes, Times Literary Supplement"Setiya is a clear-thinking, plain-speaking companion who doesn't take himself too seriously."---Jeremy Clarke, Literary Review"A model for how to write philosophy clearly and non-technically without lapsing into banality or truism. . . . Warm, lucid and sane."---Joe Moran, Times Higher Education"A concise, entertaining and humane guide through life's most difficult territory."---Simon Ings, The Spectator"A delightful amalgam of self-help and intellectual inquiry." * The Economist *"Setiya’s elegant little volume is a 'philosophical guide' to what he calls the 'existential questions of midlife'."---Jonathan Derbyshire, Financial Times"An accessible exploration of what history’s great thinkers have had to say on the subject [of midlife]."---Sarah Murdoch, Toronto Star"There’s an uplifting message here for everyone. If you’re in midlife, rest assured you wouldn’t really enjoy being young again. If you’re young, stop worrying about future regret, since even the best choices necessitate loss. And if you’re old? Be glad all those panic-inducing choices are behind you."---Oliver Burkeman, The Guardian"This is a wonderfully rich and illuminating examination of the turmoil of midlife."---PD Smith, The Guardian"Setiya rediscovers very old wisdom here. It might help with a midlife crisis. But really, he is talking about the meaning of life. It is good that analytic philosophy is so much less scared of that topic than it used to be. I very much hope that Setiya’s valuable and accessible book might help it to be less afraid also of the stages on life’s way."---Christopher Hamilton, Mind"To me the book has succeeded in making a real difference."---Thomas Pölzler, Ethical Perspectives

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Midlife will help you recast your regrets and longing for the possibilities of youth into a more affirming vision for the rest of your life."---Chelsea Leu, The Atlantic

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A deeply intelligent book that treats key thinkers in philosophy, religion and the sciences fairly, humorously and with a virtuosity reflecting more than half a century in the field."—Paul Biegler, Cosmos"[Ruse] revels in the arguments that philosophers, scientists and religious saints have had over 'the big picture' for the past 2,000 years."—John Farrell, Wall Street Journal"Ruse takes readers on a historical and constructive tour through one of the most importunate issues in basic metaphysics: is there any purpose behind the things—the universe, humans, nature, et al.—that are, and, if so, what is its nature and where does it come from?"—Library Journal"On Purpose is a book that represents Ruse at his most wide-ranging and engaging. . . . [He] is akin to the most enthusiastic and entertaining tour guide one could have through an already compelling exhibit at a museum."—Mark E. Borrello, Quarterly Review of Biology

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Entertaining and smart, this is philosophy for people who don’t usually like philosophy." * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE 2024 NON-FICTION KOBO EMERGING WRITER PRIZELONGLISTED FOR THE SCIENCE WRITERS AND COMMUNICATORS OF CANADA AWARDAn entertaining and accessible dive into the riveting world described by quantum mechanics, from physicist, AI risk expert, and Hollywood ?alternative reality? consultant Jérémie Harris.Are human beings immortal? Are apples conscious? Do our legal systems make assumptions about free will that are just plain wrong? Of all the terrific books on quantum physics?from Stephen Hawking to Brian Greene?the questions they never seem to satisfy are the implications of the science. We know that quantum physics is real?our phones and computers wouldn?t work if the science wasn?t right. But what does it all mean?Does it mean that we live in one among a near-infinity of parallel universes? Or that everything that happens in the universe is pre-ordained?right down to what we think and how we act? Or does the science point in a stranger direction?towards the idea that the entire universe is one big mind? If one of these is true, what would it mean for our place in the universe, our immortal souls, and the future of humanity itself?The most basic encounter with quantum physics leads us to a dizzying array of incredible implications, each one more capable than the last of blowing our minds?all of which can be engaged without advanced math or deep knowledge of theory.Enter: Quantum Physics Made Me Do It?a smart, accessible, and engaging adventure through the complex and beautiful world mapped out by modern physics. Jérémie Harris at last offers us a book on quantum physics that the entire universe can enjoy?perhaps together as one big mind.

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