Description
First published in 1997, this valuable volume is a collection of previously published, clear, non-technical essays brought together in this volume on a wide range of polemical topics including war and peace, love and sex, and life and its meanings. Written between 1979 and 1994, the papers lucidly approach human questions which are of issues to both academic philosophers and the wider, popular audience. Jenny Teichman’s polemics have been written with wit and gusto and her writing displays a talent for puncturing the pretensions of highly reputable thinkers and landing some well-placed blows. Much amusement can be derived from this book, along with much instruction.
Table of Contents
Part 1. War and Peace. 1. ‘Your Terrorist is My Freedom Fighter’. 2. The Just War. 3. Pacifism and Violence. 4. How to Define Terrorism. Part 2. Love and Sex. 5. Love on the Couch. 6. Henry James among the Philosophers. 7. Thoughts about Love and Sex. 8. Intention and Sex. 9. Illegitimacy and Literature. Part 3. Life and its Meanings. 10. The False Philosophy of Peter Singer. 11. Free Speech and the Public Platform. 12. What is Sacred? Ronald Dworkin and His Answers. 13. Understanding Arendt. 14. The Niagara of Philosophy. 15. Flights of the Enchanter. 16. Don’t be Cruel or Reasonable. 17. Nihilism Refuted? 18. Deconstruction and Aerodynamics. 19. Life and its Meanings.
