Stephen Gaukroger Libros

"Taking the long view of the history of philosophy, The Failures of Philosophy shows how philosophy has in fact collapsed several times, been completely abandoned, sometimes for centuries, and been replaced by something quite different from philosophy. The book focuses on what are historically the most significant failures of philosophy: attempts to provide an account of 'the good life' and how to live; to establish philosophy as a discipline that can stand in judgement over and assess other forms of thought; attempts to establish philosophy as a theory of everything; and attempts to construe it as a discipline that parallels or rationalizes the empirical and mathematical sciences, building up technical credentials that mimic those of science. The central argument of the book is that examination of these failures tells us much more about the nature of philosophical enquiry, and about the ultimate point of the exercise, than its successes possibly could. Examination of its failures shows us the significant differences in the way in which philosophers have conceived of the point at different times, and why they have been obliged to shift focus. It tells us why philosophy has been thought to bring distinctive skills to questions, and whether these are actually fruitful skills. And, above all, it allows us to open up the question whether philosophy has anything to offer over and above other ways of engaging cognate questions"--

This book covers French philosophy from its origins in the sixteenth century up to the present, analysing it within its social, political, and cultural context. Throughout, the book explores the dilemma sustained by the markedly national conception of French philosophy, and its history of speaking out on matters of universal concern.

Enver Hoxha, Albania's dictator during the Communist era, proclaimed his country the world's first atheist state. Meanwhile Captain Berti Dosti, one of the elite team monitoring Albania's borders for American incursions, was leaving his country unguarded for 15 minutes a week as he tuned into Christian broadcasts from TWR. Had he been discovered he would probably have been shot. With churches destroyed and Christian leaders executed or jailed, post-Communist Albania with its Muslim heritage was tough ground for Christian mission. But Captain now Pastor Dosti helped to lead the new wave of church planting that has swept the country. Combining integrity with social compassion, he and his colleagues have reached thousands: there is now a church in every major community.