Description
Book SynopsisPhilosophy in the twentieth century has been dominated by the urge for analysis, a methadology that is supposed to be comparable in clarity and correctness to scientific thought. In this brilliant and devestating attack on such exaggerated claims, Stanley Rosen demonstrates how analysis alone lacks the power to approach the deepest and most important philosophical questions. He thus provides us with a new deeper understanding of the nature and limits of analytic thinking.
Trade Review'The growing importance of reason in philosophy concerns Stanley Rosen in this essay. Rosen's primary objective is to defend Plato and classical philosophy against Martin Heidegger's radical existentialist criticism. . . . Many critics of Heidegger consider his dubious politics during the early days of Nazi rule irrelevant to the understanding of his work. Rosen argues, on the contrary, that Heidegger's philosophy helps explain his initial enthusiasm for, and later submission to, the Nazi regime. The argument yields genuine insight into the connection between philosophical and political nihilism. Furthermore, exposing the evil consequences of nihilistic thought adds to his stout defense of the classical tradition.' - Elliot Feingold, Book Week 'Those who ignore his book do so at their peril. It vigorously poses issues which have been too long neglected by both political scientists and political theorists.' - R. L. Nichols, American Political Science Review 'This is an impressive book. . . . Part of the interest of this book resides in its structure, which analyses moments in the history of ideas to sketch a systematic critique of theoretical and practical reason.' - Times Literary Supplement
