Modern Philosophy

In The Dream of Enlightenment, Anthony Gottlieb expertly navigates a second great explosion of thought, taking us to northern Europe in the wake of its wars of religion and the rise of Galilean science. In a relatively short period - from the early 1640s to the eve of the French Revolution - Descartes, Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke, Leibniz, and Hume all made their mark. The Dream of Enlightenment tells their story and that of the birth of modern philosophy.

Slavoj Žižek's first book is a provocative and original work looking at the question of human agency in a postmodern world. In a thrilling tour de force that made his name, he explores the ideological fantasies of wholeness and exclusion which make up human society.

Discover a practice that has stood the test of time, offering clarity, focus, and peace in an increasingly chaotic world. Soto Zen for Beginners: Timeless Teachings for Modern Living is your invitation to step into a life of mindfulness, simplicity, and profound transformation. This isn’t just a book—it’s a doorway to a new way of being. Whether you’re a curious beginner or someone seeking a deeper connection to the present moment, this guide delivers the wisdom of Soto Zen in a practical and approachable way. Master the art of zazen, the Soto Zen practice of “just sitting,” and...

Dive into the depths of your existence with "In Search of Reality," a thought-provoking book that takes you on a profound philosophical journey. Written by a renowned philosopher, this captivating masterpiece challenges conventional wisdom and encourages listeners to question their perception of the world.

In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, Gary Gutting presents a wide-ranging but nonsystematic exploration of some highlights of Foucault's life and thought. Beginning with a brief biography to set the social and political stage, he then tackles Foucault's thoughts on literature, in particular the avant-garde scene; his philosophical and historical work; his treatment of knowledge and power in modern society; and his thoughts on sexuality.

By calling everything into doubt, Descartes laid the foundations of modern philosophy. With the celebrated words "I think therefore I am," his compelling argument swept aside ancient and medieval traditions. He deduced that human beings consist of minds and bodies; that these are totally distinct "substances"; that God exists and that He ensures we can trust the evidence of our senses.

Lost in Thought is a passionate and timely reminder that a rich life is a life rich in thought. Today, when even the humanities are often defended only for their economic or political usefulness, Hitz says our intellectual lives are valuable not despite but because of their practical uselessness. And while anyone can have an intellectual life, she encourages academics in particular to get back in touch with the desire to learn for its own sake and calls on universities to return to the person-to-person transmission of the habits of mind and heart that bring out the best in us.

With his well known idiosyncrasies and aphoristic style, Friedrich Nietzsche is always bracing and provocative, and temptingly easy to dip into. Michael Tanner's introduction to the philosopher's life and work examines the numerous ambiguities inherent in his writings and explodes many of the misconceptions that have grown in the hundred years since Nietzsche wrote "do not, above all, confound me with what I am not!"

Discover the enduring legacy of one of America's most influential thinkers in Understanding John Dewey: A Complete Guide to Progressive Education, Pragmatism, and the Power of Democratic Learning. This comprehensive and accessible guide dives deep into the life, ideas, and impact of John Dewey—philosopher, educator, reformer, and champion of democracy. Perfect for educators, students, lifelong learners, and anyone interested in philosophy or educational theory, this book explores Dewey’s groundbreaking work in pragmatism, experiential learning, critical thinking, ethics, aesthetics, and...

To give and receive well may be the most human thing you can do-but it is also the closest you can come to divinity. So argues the great Roman Stoic thinker Seneca in his longest and most searching moral treatise, "On Benefits" (De Beneficiis). James Romm's splendid new translation of essential selections from this work conveys the heart of Seneca's argument that generosity and gratitude are among the most important of all virtues.

The philosopher Susan Neiman argues that the absence of appealing models of maturity is not an accident: By describing life as a downhill process, we prepare young people to expect - and demand - very little from it. In Why Grow Up?, she challenges our culture of permanent adolescence, turning to thinkers including Kant, Rousseau, and Arendt to find a model of maturity that is not a matter of resignation. In growing up, we move from the boundless trust of childhood to the peculiar mixture of disappointment and exhilaration that comes with adolescence.

Ecce homo, "behold the man", are the words Friedrich Nietzsche chose as the title for his literary self-portrait. A main purpose of the book was to offer Nietzsche's own perspective on his work as a philosopher and human being. Ecce Homo also forcefully repudiates those interpretations of his previous works purporting to find support there for imperialism, anti-Semitism, militarism, and Social Darwinism.

This guidebook is an invaluable resource for personal growth, inspired by the timeless teachings of Miyamoto Musashi. Through daily exercises and reflection questions, readers can develop a moral code that aligns with their values, trust in their capabilities, and take control of their destinies. This book encourages readers to lead meaningful lives that are both fulfilling and true to themselves while also recognizing the importance of self-care and humility. With perseverance and determination, we can all achieve our highest potential. This book is designed as a 21-day reflection guide ...

This book gives a clear overview of the philosophical work of Jürgen Habermas, the most influential German philosopher alive today, who has commented widely on subjects such as Marxism, the importance and effectiveness of communication, the reunification of Germany, and the European Union. Gordon Finlayson provides listeners with a clear overview of Habermas's forbiddingly complex philosophy using concrete examples and accessible language.

In The New Negro: The Life of Alain Locke, Jeffrey C. Stewart offers the definitive biography of the father of the Harlem Renaissance, based on the extant primary sources of his life and on interviews with those who knew him personally. He narrates the education of Locke, including his becoming the first African American Rhodes Scholar, earning a PhD in philosophy at Harvard University, and his long career as a professor at Howard University. And yet he became most closely associated with the flowering of Black culture in Jazz Age America.

Indie Excellence Book Awards 1st Place Winner! U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame Book of the Year! IIMAA Best Martial Arts Book of the Year! Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior is an award-winning book on how to live your life with character, honor, and integrity. This book is filled with enlightening quotes and insightful writing that will change your life! This highly acclaimed book has won multiple awards and is endorsed by some of the biggest names in both the martial arts world. Warrior Wisdom has been honored by four martial arts hall of fame organizations for its ...

Epistemic vices are character traits, attitudes, or thinking styles that prevent us from gaining, keeping, or sharing knowledge. In this book, Quassim Cassam gives an account of the nature and importance of these vices, which include closed-mindedness, intellectual arrogance, wishful thinking, and prejudice. In providing the first extensive coverage of vice epistemology, an exciting new area of philosophical research, Vices of the Mind uses real examples drawn primarily from the world of politics to develop a compelling theory of epistemic vice.

In the 1960s and early '70s, the most prominent, vocal cultural movement was the New Left: a movement that condemned America and everything it stood for: individualism, material wealth, science, technology, capitalism.

The ancient Stoic philosophers knew what was up. Life is hard. People are messy. The world is chaotic. You can’t control most of it. But you can control you. Chill Like a Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Stress is a friendly, no-pressure guide to applying Stoicism without becoming a monk, robot, or ancient Roman senator. Learn how to: Stay calm when life gets stupid Handle difficult people without losing your mind Stop overthinking literally everything Care less about what doesn’t matter Focus more on what does And develop the rarest skill of all: inner peace Spoiler: Stoicism isn’t ...

"AI Debates John Searle" is a groundbreaking exploration into the intersection of artificial intelligence and philosophy, featuring a series of simulated debates between one of the most renowned philosophers of the modern era, Dr. John Searle, and a state-of-the-art AI model. Authored by Richard Aragon, this thought-provoking book is part of the acclaimed 'AI Debates' series, where real AI models engage with history’s greatest thinkers on topics that define the future of AI and modern society. In this volume, readers are taken on a journey through some of the most profound questions ...