Customer Reviews

A Parliament of Minds: Philosophy for a New Millennium

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"A Parliament of Minds: Philosophy for a New Millenium," provides a wonderfully speculative endeavor into the universality, of the timeless tradition of philosophy. Conducted in the medium of informal interviews, twenty-three of the world's most notorious contemporary thinkers, identify there own interpretations of philosophy and it's role as humankind concludes yet another millenium. For too long, the average conception of philosophy that has passed through the streets, is that of a detached, lofty and abstract discipline that can not breathe outside of the "ivory towers" that it has confined itself to. In other words, philosophy has gone for too long without a human face. Having said that, it is apparent that such a long over-do journey too "demystify" and "humanize" philosophy is an uphill climb, however, how better to facilitate such a transition then by capturing the philosophies of a diverse range of today's leading philosophers and social thinkers? A wide variety of approaches are documented in "A Parliament..," including political philosophy, classical and ancient philosophy, feminist philosophy, Eastern, African and Islamic philosophies, environmental philosophy, aesthetics and much more, all being analyzed in a uniquley applied manner. Aside from the books easy accesibility to the philosophical novice, it likewise can provide a stimulating read for the philosophical or socially aware academic, in that it probes the depths of philosophy's duty in a seemingly collapsing world and inspires us to turn the scope of philosophy away from hair-splitting problems relevant only to itself and back in the direction of humanity, which is after all it's origins. I highly recommend this book to anyone out there in the information age, who still cares about how they should live their life.

Philosophy is usually far removed from the general readership but this is a book I picked up and devoured. Possibly it is because I am biased: a fan of Tobias' works. But Fitzgerald and Rothenberg add greatly to this and the combined powers are simply enduring. It is a wonderful wonderful tribute to philosophy thought through the ages, and reveals the powerful diversity of issues, perspectives and ethics that sweeps the planet and is engaged in by so many marvelous, empathetic minds. A truly satisfying introduction to the history and practice of philosophy.