In The Last Word, Thomas Nagel, a leading philosopher and Professor of Law, presents a sustained defense of reason against the attacks of subjectivism, delivering systematic rebuttals against its many relativistic claims in the fields of language, logic, ethics, and science. He proposes that reason reflects objective principles whose validity is independent of different points of view, and continues to argue that reason is universal because its only prerequisite is the ability to think systematically and with intelligence. Dismissing relativism as theoretical chic and inconsequential intellectual flourish, he predicts its ultimate stultifying effect on public discourse. The Last Word is a vigorous defense of reason and its universal narratives. Resisting what he describes as the eventual demise of intellectual discourse, Nagel's work sets a new standard in the debate: this book presents the clarity and simplicity of objective reason. Nagel's construction of a coherent framework beyond subjectivism is refreshing, timely, and impressive, and should generate intense interest both within and outside the philosophical community.
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In The Last Word, leading philosopher Thomas Nagel presents a timely and vigorous defense of reason against the fashionable relativism that is all-too-pervasive in contemporary intellectual culture. His construction of a coherent framework beyond subjectivism is refreshing, erudite, and impressive, and should generate intense interest both within and without the philosophical community.
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Review from previous edition "Nagel's book is a ringing defense of the rationalist conception of reason, and an uncompromising attack on the subjectivist conception...The case that Nagel presents in these chapters should disturb all those who have been lulled, or bludgeoned, into the flabby relativism that is so rampant in contemporary intellectual culture..Nagel's argument is not only correct, it is also urgent...The Last Word is a book that should be read and pondered in this golden age of relativism."
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`Review from previous edition "Nagel's book is a ringing defense of the rationalist conception of reason, and an uncompromising attack on the subjectivist conception...The case that Nagel presents in these chapters should disturb all those who have been lulled, or bludgeoned, into the flabby relativism that is so rampant in contemporary intellectual culture..Nagel's argument is not only correct, it is also urgent...The Last Word is a book that should be read and pondered in this golden age of relativism."' Colin McGinn, The New Republic `"Thomas Nagel stands out among today's best philosophers in retaining closer links with big puzzles and mysteries that first attract most people to philosophy. He has a livelier sense of their depth and power than is conspicuous elsewhere in the academic study of philosophy, and admirably resists the widespread tendency to dent a thing's existence because it is difficult or perhaps impossible to understand."' The Times Literary Supplement `"...(Nagel's) book, which is concise, spare, and well-argued, will prolong discussion by setting it on a new path...what he has to say is challenging, impressive, and thought-provoking."' International Philosophical Quarterly `"...now comes Professor Nagel's fascinating, even brilliant, book..."' Commonweal
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A timely and vigorous defense of reason from one of our leading philosophers.
Dr. Thomas Nagel is a Professor of Philosophy and Law at New York University.
The Last Word was chosen as Outstanding Academic Book of 1997 by Choice Nagel is a leading philosopher whose work is highly influential

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780195149838
Publisert
2003
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
207 gr
Høyde
208 mm
Bredde
138 mm
Dybde
13 mm
Aldersnivå
UU, UP, P, 05, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
158

Forfatter

Biographical note

Dr. Thomas Nagel is a Professor of Philosophy and Law at New York University.