The edge of reason : a rational skeptic in an irrational world / Julian Baggini.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Baggini, Julian, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rationalism.

Reason.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (273 p.)

Place of Publication:

New Haven, Connecticut : Yale University Press, [2016]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

An urgent defense of reason, the essential method for resolving-or even discussing-divisive issues Reason, long held as the highest human achievement, is under siege. According to Aristotle, the capacity for reason sets us apart from other animals, yet today it has ceased to be a universally admired faculty. Rationality and reason have become political, disputed concepts, subject to easy dismissal. Julian Baggini argues eloquently that we must recover our reason and reassess its proper place, neither too highly exalted nor completely maligned. Rationality does not require a sterile, scientistic worldview, it simply involves the application of critical thinking wherever thinking is needed. Addressing such major areas of debate as religion, science, politics, psychology, and economics, the author calls for commitment to the notion of a "community of reason," where disagreements are settled by debate and discussion, not brute force or political power. Baggini's insightful book celebrates the power of reason, our best hope-indeed our only hope-for dealing with the intractable quagmires of our time.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

PART I: THE JUDGE

INTRODUCTION

1. The Eternal God argument

2. Science for humans

3. Rationality and judgement

PART II: THE GUIDE

4. Lives of the mind

5. The challenge of psychology

6. Guided by reason

PART III: THE MOTIVATOR

7. Rational morality

8. Scientific morality

9. The claims of reason

PART IV: THE KING

10. The rational state

11. Political reason

Conclusion: using reason

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [252]-257) and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780300222081

0300222084

OCLC:

957590694