Product Description

A unique snapshot of philosophy in Great Britain today, comprising sixteen fascinating interviews with some of Britain's top working philosophers on topics from music to the mind and feminism to the future of philosophy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #732880 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
'The interviews are excellent, a very useful collection of snapshots of the profession.' - Simon Blackburn, author of Think 'Offers one a strong sense of the range and character of contemporary philosophy. I learned a lot from reading it.' - Ben Rogers, author of A.J Ayer: A Life

Philosophy in the popular sense is currently ubiquitous but much about it still remains tantalizingly enigmatic. What are the key issues of the day and who exactly is involved in finding out? How did these people become philosophers and do the topics they're debating really have relevance for contemporary society? These questions form the backbone of what is a surprisingly engaging as well as erudite appraisal of British philosophy at the beginning of the 21st century. Baggini and Stangroom are editors of the magazine Philosophy Now and they've devised a simple yet successful format that works wonders. Each chapter is prefaced by a brief preface setting both the specific topic and the individual in context; a short, often entertaining interview follows, concluded by a mini-bibliography that whets the appetite of the interested reader. Straightforward indeed, but such a structure is vital in conveying the essence of each very distinct branch of philosophy; despite the breadth of material covered here the temptation of verbosity is always kept at bay, every page admirably sharp and succinct, entirely to the editors' credit. Metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics and existentialism appear here as expected, but so too do more eclectic, intriguing offshoots like philosophical biography, feminism and even a chapter examining the public perception of philosophy as a subject. The interview format allows each different subject far more scope for vitality and colour than is usually found in academic guides and as such is invaluable for anyone seeking an accessible, enjoyable introduction to modern philosophy. Equally interesting are the diverse backgrounds of the people profiled here who represent most schools of contemporary thought. Collectively it's a truly stimulating, challenging book that would reward any seeker of wisdom. (Kirkus UK)

Review
'Offers one a strong sense of the range and character of contemporary philosophy. I learned a lot from reading it.' - Ben Rogers, author of A.J Ayer: A Life

'The novice will truly get a nice sense of what philosophers are doing and why they do it. There ought to be such a volume in the US!' - Brian Leiter, University of Texas

'...Upbeat and entertaining... a fresh and stimulating insight into what otivates and sustains a group of philosophers who are, plausibly, representative of the profession at the beginning of this century.' - Max de Gaynesford, The Tablet

'A lively introduction to the work that is being done here and now in British universities.' - Times Literary Supplement

'An absorbing collection of interviews with 16 of the nation's rising stars.. .A great deal of ability is on show in New British Philosophy." - The New Statesman

'There is a new diversity in British academic philosophy - it doesn't just consist of white men puffing pipes and meditating on predicate calculus, but embraces feminism, and offers new treatments of age-old questions about political obligation, aesthetics and consciousness.' - The Guardian

Synopsis
From popular introductions to biographies and television programmes, philosophy is everywhere. Many people even want to be philosophers, usually in the cafe or the pub. But what do real philosophers do? What are the big philosophical issues of today? Why do they matter? How did some our best philosophers get into philosophy in the first place? Read New British Philosophy and find out for the first time. Clear, engaging and designed for a general audience, sixteen fascinating interviews with some of the top philosophers working in Britain today range from music to the mind and feminism to the future of philosophy. Each interview is introduced and conducted by Julian Baggini and Jeremy Stangroom of The Philosophers Magazine. This is a unique snapshot of philosophy in Great Britain today and includes interviews with: Ray Monk - Biography Nigel Warburton - the Public Aaron Ridley - Music Jonathan Wolff - Politics Roger Crisp - Ethics Rae Langton - Pornography Miranda Fricker - Knowledge M.G.F.Martin - Perception Timothy Williamson - Vagueness Tim Crane - Mind Robin Le Poidevin - Metaphysics Christina Howells - Sartre Simon Critchley - Phenomenology Simon Glendinning - Continental Stephen Mulhall - the Future Keith Ansell Pearson - the Human.

Customer Reviews

a gem
This is a very nice review of what's keeping (British) philosophers busy nowadays. It is a highly readable collection of interviews and the philosophers interviewed are all thoughtful and thought-provoking. The editors ask intelligent questions and invariably get excellent answers. My favorite interviews are those with Roger Crisp, Miranda Fricker, Tim Crane, and Simon Critchley but make no mistake: all of the interviews are first-rate.

Especially recommended for its balanced and informative approach to the issue of analytic vs. continental philosophy...

Philosophy turned into fashion, with little moment
To read poetry is not to read ‘about’ poetry, and yet it seems that the major concerns of philosophy concern its own ‘aboutness’, like watching characters in a play looking for a plot. Clearly, even amongst the philosophers interviewed here, there exists a general objection to the professional philosopher increasing their kudos by adding their ‘bit’ to an academic structure with not much significance ensuing.
Yet when there is some discussion on subject-matter, one is left with a sense of exasperation. It may be valid philosophical speculation to analyse a concept such as vagueness, but my feeling is that the notion of the discrete is more relevant in the quantum realm where its impact is more interesting and pronounced, yet no reference is made to it. Leibniz also analysed the notion of infinitesimals in a way that led to his calculus. What exactly is to be the fruit of an entirely philosophical analysis that does not seem to extend beyond the range of an academic concern with it? Metaphysical concerns do not seem to fare much better, since (as an example) the concepts of time that are discussed seem extremely rudimentary, as if the subject is done and dusted, when in fact the subject is wide open. Post-analytic philosophy, apparently the new direction, reiterates the traditional function of philosophy as a questioner of assumptions, assumes that science is already fully questioned (while we live under the yoke of the same principles of motion that have been kept in place for the best part of 400 years), and then assumes it is its own best-placed arbiter of deciding what assumptions should be questioned in its own house. Nor is there any reference to process philosophy as a vibrant force. (Every major philosopher from the 20th century gets a mention except Whitehead!) Nor is there any reference to the current vacuum in science that is preventing progress in the quantum gravity problem and which is crying out for a greater philosophical involvement, and which is getting none. And this is the major philosophical problem of the 21st century.
Of the interviews given here, those with female philosophers were the most engaging. The later interview concerning the status of artificial intelligence was also of some merit, so perhaps it is not all doom and gloom. However, it does seem that for the most part a great deal of energy is expended in the pursuit of very little, and one is left with a sense of what is the fashion at the moment rather than what are the concerns of greatest moment and urgency. But by and large, it is a commendable read, inciting both a sense of disappointment as well as hope.

Wonderful review of UK philosophy
Bought this book over the bank holiday w/e and enjoyed it tremendously. Nice format with photo's and interviews which can be read independently or in sequence, with suggestions for further reading.
Help remedy the perception amongst philosophy undergrads that it is all logic, mind, language and Austin!

Baggini and Stangroom should be congratulated on their efforts to make philosophy relevant and exciting by this book (and their magazine - TPM) without dumbing such a subject down to a kind of new age self help.

Would recommend this book to anyone who has some knowledge of philosophy and particularly those who wish to study the subject as a postgrad. There is more to it than tweed suits and pipes!