A Philosophy of Fear

A Philosophy of Fear PDF Author: Lars Svendsen
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1861897863
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
Surveillance cameras. Airport security lines. Barred store windows. We see manifestations of societal fears everyday, and daily news reports on the latest household danger or raised terror threat level continually stoke our sense of impending doom. In A Philosophy of Fear, Lars Svendsen now explores the underlying ideas and issues behind this powerful emotion, as he investigates how and why fear has insinuated itself into every aspect of modern life. Svendsen delves into science, politics, sociology, and literature to explore the nature of fear. He examines the biology behind the emotion, from the neuroscience underlying our “fight or flight” instinct to how fear induces us to take irrational actions in our attempts to minimize risk. The book then turns to the political and social realms, investigating the role of fear in the philosophies of Machiavelli and Hobbes, the rise of the modern “risk society,” and how fear has eroded social trust. Entertainment such as the television show “Fear Factor,” competition in extreme sports, and the political use of fear in the ongoing “War on Terror” all come under Svendsen’s probing gaze, as he investigates whether we can ever disentangle ourselves from the continual state of alarm that defines our age. Svendsen ultimately argues for the possibility of a brighter, less fearful future that is marked by a triumph of humanist optimism. An incisive and thought-provoking meditation, A Philosophy of Fear pulls back the curtain that shrouds dangers imagined and real, forcing us to confront our fears and why we hold to them.

A Philosophy of Fear

A Philosophy of Fear PDF Author: Lars Svendsen
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1861897863
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 158

Get Book

Book Description
Surveillance cameras. Airport security lines. Barred store windows. We see manifestations of societal fears everyday, and daily news reports on the latest household danger or raised terror threat level continually stoke our sense of impending doom. In A Philosophy of Fear, Lars Svendsen now explores the underlying ideas and issues behind this powerful emotion, as he investigates how and why fear has insinuated itself into every aspect of modern life. Svendsen delves into science, politics, sociology, and literature to explore the nature of fear. He examines the biology behind the emotion, from the neuroscience underlying our “fight or flight” instinct to how fear induces us to take irrational actions in our attempts to minimize risk. The book then turns to the political and social realms, investigating the role of fear in the philosophies of Machiavelli and Hobbes, the rise of the modern “risk society,” and how fear has eroded social trust. Entertainment such as the television show “Fear Factor,” competition in extreme sports, and the political use of fear in the ongoing “War on Terror” all come under Svendsen’s probing gaze, as he investigates whether we can ever disentangle ourselves from the continual state of alarm that defines our age. Svendsen ultimately argues for the possibility of a brighter, less fearful future that is marked by a triumph of humanist optimism. An incisive and thought-provoking meditation, A Philosophy of Fear pulls back the curtain that shrouds dangers imagined and real, forcing us to confront our fears and why we hold to them.

A Philosophy of Fear

A Philosophy of Fear PDF Author: Lars Svendsen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 164

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Book Description
Surveillance cameras. Airport security lines. Barred store windows. We see manifestations of societal fears everyday, and daily news reports on the latest household danger or raised terror threat level continually stoke our sense of impending doom. In A Philosophy of Fear, Lars Svendsen now explores the underlying ideas and issues behind this powerful emotion, as he investigates how and why fear has insinuated itself into every aspect of modern life. Svendsen delves into science, politics, sociology, and literature to explore the nature of fear. He examines the biology behind the emotion, from the neuroscience underlying our “fight or flight” instinct to how fear induces us to take irrational actions in our attempts to minimize risk. The book then turns to the political and social realms, investigating the role of fear in the philosophies of Machiavelli and Hobbes, the rise of the modern “risk society,” and how fear has eroded social trust. Entertainment such as the television show “Fear Factor,” competition in extreme sports, and the political use of fear in the ongoing “War on Terror” all come under Svendsen’s probing gaze, as he investigates whether we can ever disentangle ourselves from the continual state of alarm that defines our age. Svendsen ultimately argues for the possibility of a brighter, less fearful future that is marked by a triumph of humanist optimism. An incisive and thought-provoking meditation, A Philosophy of Fear pulls back the curtain that shrouds dangers imagined and real, forcing us to confront our fears and why we hold to them.

A Philosophy of Fear

A Philosophy of Fear PDF Author: Lars Fr. H. Svendsen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 131

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Book Description


Philosophy of Fearism

Philosophy of Fearism PDF Author: Desh Subba
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1499004672
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 362

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Book Description
1. Fearism is a gift to the world from Nepali. Prof. Dr Tanka Prasad Neupane, Chairman, Fearism Study Centre: Baicharik Chintan, 2066 v.s. 2. Fearism of Desh Subba has shaken the foundation of Nepali literature and intellectual world. Yese Dorje Thongsi, Indian Literary Academy winner, Arunachal Pradesh, India, 31 March 2013, Pratidin Assamese Daily, Assam, India. 3. Fearism is under the neo-criticism consists of different thoughts and isms. Therefore, Curriculum Determination Committee, Sikkim University has included it in the course as 14th paper for fourth Semester in Master Degree. Prof. Dr Kavita Lama, Head of the Department, Sikkim University, Sikkim, India. Annapurna Post, 17 July 2012.

The Monarchy of Fear

The Monarchy of Fear PDF Author: Martha C. Nussbaum
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 1501172514
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
From one of the world’s most celebrated moral philosophers comes a thorough examination of the current political crisis and recommendations for how to mend our divided country. For decades Martha C. Nussbaum has been an acclaimed scholar and humanist, earning dozens of honors for her books and essays. In The Monarchy of Fear she turns her attention to the current political crisis that has polarized American since the 2016 election. Although today’s atmosphere is marked by partisanship, divisive rhetoric, and the inability of two halves of the country to communicate with one another, Nussbaum focuses on what so many pollsters and pundits have overlooked. She sees a simple truth at the heart of the problem: the political is always emotional. Globalization has produced feelings of powerlessness in millions of people in the West. That sense of powerlessness bubbles into resentment and blame. Blame of immigrants. Blame of Muslims. Blame of other races. Blame of cultural elites. While this politics of blame is exemplified by the election of Donald Trump and the vote for Brexit, Nussbaum argues it can be found on all sides of the political spectrum, left or right. Drawing on a mix of historical and contemporary examples, from classical Athens to the musical Hamilton, The Monarchy of Fear untangles this web of feelings and provides a roadmap of where to go next.

Philosophy of Fearism

Philosophy of Fearism PDF Author: R. Michael Fisher and Desh Subba
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1514440768
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
This book is about a new philosophy that takes a specific focus on see the critical historical and everyday importance of the nature and role of fear in human existence. We seem to be at a time when fear has taken the lead and we are not yet able to understand it and manage it well enough. It is causing major problems from wars, to terrorism, to deterioration of our institutions which are operating in a culture of fear. Our health is deteriorating under the excess of fear in the world today. No other philosophy, not rationalism, existentialism or pragmatism etc., has given this focus to fear as does the philosophy of fearism. It is an original synthesis of an Eastern philosophy of fearism (developed by Desh Subba, from Nepal) and a Western philosophy of fearlessness (developmed by R. Michael Fisher). The book brings forth their unified vision of a Fearless Age that awaits humanity if we better learn how to manage fear and teach about it with a new lens. Subba calls this a fearist lens, and Fisher calls it a fearlessness lens. Together, working independently for the past 20 years, they each have recently met to collaborate on this global project and movement as "one philosophy of fearism." This is an essential text for leaders, students, parents, professionals and diverse people. Although it is not a self-help book, is goes deeper into helping our entire societies transform their relationship to fear and fearlessness. A must read for those who love philosophy and thinking critically about the 21st century.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy

Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy PDF Author: James B. South
Publisher: Open Court
ISBN: 0812697472
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Twenty-three essays by young professional philosophers examine crucial ethical and metaphysical aspects of the Buffyverse (the world of Buffy). Though the show already attracted much scholarly attention, this is the first book to fully disinter the intellectual issues. Designed by Whedon as a multilevel story with most of its meanings deeply buried in heaps of heavy irony, Buffy the Vampire Slayer has replaced The X-Files as the show that explains to Americans the nature of the powerful forces of evil continually threatening to surge into our world of everyday decency and overwhelm it. In the tradition of the classic horror films Buffy the Vampire Slayer addresses ethical issues that have long fascinated audiences. This book draws out the ethical and metaphysical lessons from a pop-culture phenomenon.

A Philosophy of Loneliness

A Philosophy of Loneliness PDF Author: Lars Svendsen
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1780237936
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
For many of us it is the ultimate fear: to die alone. Loneliness is a difficult subject to address because it has such negative connotations in our intensely social world. But the truth is that wherever there are people, there is loneliness. You can be lonely sitting in the quiet of your home, in the still of an afternoon park, or even when surrounded by throngs of people on a busy street. One need only turn on the radio to hear a crooner telling us just how lonesome we can be. In this groundbreaking book, philosopher Lars Svendsen confronts loneliness head on, investigating both the negative and positive sides of this most human of emotions. Drawing on the latest research in philosophy, psychology, and the social sciences, A Philosophy of Loneliness explores the different kinds of loneliness and examines the psychological and social characteristics that dispose people to them. Svendsen looks at the importance of friendship and love, and he examines how loneliness can impact our quality of life and affect our physical and mental health. In a provocative move, he also argues that the main problem in our modern society is not that we have too much loneliness but rather too little solitude, and he looks to those moments when our loneliness can actually tell us profound things about ourselves and our place in the world. The result is a fascinating book about a complex and deeply meaningful part of our very being.

A Philosophy of Freedom

A Philosophy of Freedom PDF Author: Lars Svendsen
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1780234104
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
Freedom of speech, religion, choice, will—humans have fought, and continue to fight, for all of these. But what is human freedom really? Taking a broad approach across metaphysics, politics, and ethics, Lars Svendsen explores this question in his engaging book, while also looking at the threats freedom faces today. Though our behaviors, thoughts, and actions are restricted by social and legal rules, deadlines, and burdens, Svendsen argues that the fundamental requirement for living a human life is the ability to be free. A Philosophy of Freedom questions how we can successfully create meaningful lives when we are estranged from the very concept of freedom. Svendsen tackles such issues as the nature of free agency and the possibility of freedom in a universe governed by natural laws. He concludes that the true definition of personal freedom is first and foremost the liberty to devote yourself to what really matters to you—to realize the true value of the life you are living. Drawing on the fascinating debates around the possibility of freedom and its limits within society, this comprehensive investigation provides an accessible and insightful overview that will appeal to academics and general readers alike.

Fear of Knowledge

Fear of Knowledge PDF Author: Paul Boghossian
Publisher: Clarendon Press
ISBN: 0191622753
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
The academic world has been plagued in recent years by scepticism about truth and knowledge. Paul Boghossian, in his long-awaited first book, sweeps away relativist claims that there is no such thing as objective truth or knowledge, but only truth or knowledge from a particular perspective. He demonstrates clearly that such claims don't even make sense. Boghossian focuses on three different ways of reading the claim that knowledge is socially constructed - one as a thesis about truth and two about justification. And he rejects all three. The intuitive, common-sense view is that there is a way things are that is independent of human opinion, and that we are capable of arriving at belief about how things are that is objectively reasonable, binding on anyone capable of appreciating the relevant evidence regardless of their social or cultural perspective. Difficult as these notions may be, it is a mistake to think that recent philosophy has uncovered powerful reasons for rejecting them. This short, lucid, witty book shows that philosophy provides rock-solid support for common sense against the relativists; it will prove provocative reading throughout the discipline and beyond.