30-Second Philosophies : 30-Second Philosophies

30-Second Philosophies : 30-Second Philosophies
ISBN: 9781742661773
Publication Date: 1 February 2011

Cogito ergo sum. Cynicism. Dialectical Materialism. Existentialism. The Socratic Method. Deconstructionism. Everybody knows what they mean. Or thinks they know what they mean. At least you have probably heard of them and like to bandy about them to impress your friends. But do you have the back up? What happens if you get trapped in the corner by a real hottie with a masters degree in phenomenology? 30-Second Philosophies takes a revolutionary approach to getting a grip on the 50 most important and significant schools of philosophy.

It will challenge a half century of great thinkers to quit fretting about the meaning for a while and explain the most significant theories of philosophical thought in half a minute, using nothing more than two pages, 300 words and a metaphorical image. Here in one unique volume you have the opportunity to pick the potted brains of our leading philosophers and understand complex concepts such as "the categorical imperative" without ending up in a darkened room with an ice pack on your head.

About The Author

Barry Loewer is Professor of Philosophy and Chair of the Philosophy department at Rutgers University, New Jersey. His interests include the metaphysical foundations of science, the philosophy of physics, and the philosophy of mind. He is co-author (with Georges Rey) of Meaning in Mind and (with Carl Gillett) of Physicalism and its Discontents. He has published many papers on the philosophy of quantum theory, the metaphysics of laws and chance, and the philosophy of mind.