Publisher Description

In this powerful re-examination of the purpose and direction of philosophy for the next century, Anthony O'Hear engages with our most pressing questions: Is there knowledge outside of science? Does religion still have meaning and coherence today? What is beauty, and why do so few contemporary artists believe in it? Contemporary philosophy mostly divides into the technical approach of the Anglo-Americans, which is inaccessible to most, and the oracular obscurantism of the Continental approach, which does violence to sense and reason.O'Hear argues that philosophy should work with the grain of tradition and commonsense to understand politics, religion, aesthetics, and the vast number of ethical questions that will continue to arise as the scientific and technical revolution accelerates. Giving up philosophy's special position means giving up our best chances of thinking and acting wisely. In making a strong case for the relevance of philosophy, Anthony O'Hear presents a coherent and compelling vision for recovering wisdom in our time.

Author Biography

ANTHONY O'HEAR is Weston Professor of Philosophy at the University of Buckingham and Director of the Royal Institute of Philosophy. He is editor of the journal Philosophy and his publications include Beyond Evolution (Clarendon Press, 1997), Plato's Children (Gordon Square, 2005) and After Progress (Bloomsbury, 1999).

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Wisdom
2. The Search for Meaning
3. So, What Then Can I Know?
4. Myself and Other Persons
5. Nature, Society and Individual
6. Science
7. Aesthetics
8. Religion
9. Death
10. Philosophy and the Promise
Notes and References
Name Index

Long Description

In this powerful re-examination of the purpose and direction of philosophy for the new century, Anthony O'Hear engages with our most pressing questions: Is there knowledge outside of science? Does religion still have meaning and coherence today? What is beauty, and why do so few contemporary artists believe in it? Contemporary philosophy mostly divides into the technical approach of the Anglo-Americans, which is inaccessible to most, and the oracular obscurantism of the Continental approach, which does violence to sense and reason.....O'Hear argues that philosophy should work with the grain of tradition and commonsense to understand politics, religion, aesthetics and the vast number of ethical questions that will continue to arise as the scientific and technical revolution accelerates. Giving up philosophy's special position means giving up our best chances of thinking and acting wisely. In making a strong case for the relevance of philosophy Anthony O'Hear presents a coherent and compelling vision for recovering wisdom in our time.

Promotional "Headline"

Anthony O'Hear's critical examination of the failings and hopes for philosophy in the 21st Century.

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