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Philosophers Take On the World
Every day the news shows us provoking stories about what's going on in the world, about events which raise moral questions and problems. In Philosophers Take On the World a team of philosophers get to grips with a variety of these controversial issues, from the amusing to the shocking, in short, engaging, often controversial pieces. Covering topics from guns to abortion, the morality of drinking alone, hating a sports team, and being rude to cold callers, the essays will make you think again about the judgments we make on a daily basis and the ways in which we choose to conduct our lives. Philosophers Take On the World is based on the blog run by the Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics at the University of Oxford, one of the world's leading centres for applied ethics.
- GenresPhilosophy
266 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 30, 2017
It’s fitting that the title can be taken as a double entendre.
This was very enjoyable book with one exception, but more on that is a minute.
I want to point out a few stellar entries. Several by Regina Rini; specifically, “A Reflection on Confronting Evil.” Must read. Well written! A few others are by Rebecca Roache. To make you think about thing you may have never thought about. Most were quite serious and timely topical wile some written with a keen sense of humor,
Back to my criticism. Near the beginning of these fine entries is an entry about gun control. Unfortunately, for this entry and this entry only, somehow it was decided there must be a rebuttal. The change in tone for the book was unfortunate. This put me somewhat ill at ease until I examined the rest of the contents to assure myself this tone wouldn’t rear its head again. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy debates but the book should be either a book of debates or not; especially when only one is singled out. But if there is to be a book of rebuttals, I’d like to single out and rebut Peter Singer's entry, “Countering Islamic Extremism”.
This was very enjoyable book with one exception, but more on that is a minute.
I want to point out a few stellar entries. Several by Regina Rini; specifically, “A Reflection on Confronting Evil.” Must read. Well written! A few others are by Rebecca Roache. To make you think about thing you may have never thought about. Most were quite serious and timely topical wile some written with a keen sense of humor,
Back to my criticism. Near the beginning of these fine entries is an entry about gun control. Unfortunately, for this entry and this entry only, somehow it was decided there must be a rebuttal. The change in tone for the book was unfortunate. This put me somewhat ill at ease until I examined the rest of the contents to assure myself this tone wouldn’t rear its head again. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy debates but the book should be either a book of debates or not; especially when only one is singled out. But if there is to be a book of rebuttals, I’d like to single out and rebut Peter Singer's entry, “Countering Islamic Extremism”.
December 28, 2020
Philosophers Take on the World, edited by David Edmonds (one of the great minds behind the Philosophy Bytes website and podcast), is an easy to read, relevant collection of short essays (actually, a collection of blog-posts from the University of Oxford’s Practical Ethics blog) wherein philosophers discuss recent (2016) news items from a philosophical perspective. It’s fun to read. The authors take tough topics and make them easy to understand. And it’s a book that even someone with the shortest attention span can enjoy because each chapter is only a few pages long.
To read my further thoughts on the book, go here: https://readingthebiblewithigen.home....
To read my further thoughts on the book, go here: https://readingthebiblewithigen.home....
February 15, 2019
Excelent book to bring up discussions of everyday issues. Pros and cons on every topic
July 20, 2019
Very accessible essays for anyone interested in ethics, moral philosophy and current affairs. :)
February 10, 2021
Good read, covers lots of topics.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews