Christmas - Philosophy for Everyone

Christmas - Philosophy for Everyone PDF Author: Scott C. Lowe
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444341456
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 247

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Book Description
From Santa, elves and Ebenezer Scrooge, to the culture wars and virgin birth, Christmas - Philosophy for Everyone explores a host of philosophical issues raised by the practices and beliefs surrounding Christmas. Offers thoughtful and humorous philosophical insights into the most widely celebrated holiday in the Western world Contributions come from a wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, theology, religious studies, English literature, cognitive science and moral psychology The essays cover a wide range of Christmas themes, from a defence of the miracle of the virgin birth to the relevance of Christmas to atheists and pagans

Christmas - Philosophy for Everyone

Christmas - Philosophy for Everyone PDF Author: Scott C. Lowe
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444341456
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 247

Get Book Here

Book Description
From Santa, elves and Ebenezer Scrooge, to the culture wars and virgin birth, Christmas - Philosophy for Everyone explores a host of philosophical issues raised by the practices and beliefs surrounding Christmas. Offers thoughtful and humorous philosophical insights into the most widely celebrated holiday in the Western world Contributions come from a wide range of disciplines, including philosophy, theology, religious studies, English literature, cognitive science and moral psychology The essays cover a wide range of Christmas themes, from a defence of the miracle of the virgin birth to the relevance of Christmas to atheists and pagans

The Xmas Files

The Xmas Files PDF Author: Stephen Law
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ISBN: 1780222610
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description
A philosophical but fun look at the meanings of Christmas myths and rituals, from carving the turkey to why Santa wears red. Picture the scene: Aunt Gertrude has just given you the most appalling Christmas tie, complete with snow-flecked kittens in a bowler hat. Do you smile, nod, and confine it to the bottom drawer? Or do you tell the truth and spare yourself future ties from hell? Kant would say that we must, at all costs, tell the truth - whilst Mill would insist that we should think of the consequences. THE XMAS FILES is a philosophical meander though the myths and rituals of Christmas today, asking such important questions as does Santa exist? What's wrong with Christmas kitsch? Is it all just a commercial racket? What was Augustine's attitude to 'peace on earth'? And what would David Hume have to say about the virgin birth? For underneath all the festive fun, the way we celebrate Christmas does raise serious questions about the beliefs that sustain us, and the ways in which we still value ritual and tradition as a means of coming together.

Does Santa Exist?

Does Santa Exist? PDF Author: Eric Kaplan
Publisher: Plume
ISBN: 0147516420
Category : Humor
Languages : en
Pages : 290

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Book Description
In the hands of acclaimed comedy writer and philosophy scholar Eric Kaplan, a search for the truth about Old Saint Nick becomes a deeply insightful, laugh-out-loud discussion of the way some things exist but may not really be there - just like Santa and his reindeer.

The Myths That Stole Christmas

The Myths That Stole Christmas PDF Author: David Kyle Johnson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780931779671
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
In The Myths that Stole Christmas, Johnson argues that Christmas has been hijacked by seven different myths-seven myths that control how people conceive of and celebrate the holiday. Myth #1: Jesus Is the Reason for the Season Myth #2: There Is a War on Christmas Myth #3: Our Christmas Traditions Are Old-Fashioned Myth #4: Christmas Spending Is Good for the Economy Myth #5: Santa Claus Is Saint Nicholas Myth #6: The Santa Claus Lie Is Harmless Myth #7: Christmas Can't Change Historically, holiday celebrations served useful social functions; they smoothed tension between social classes; they helped us prepare for the long hard winter; they turned the literal darkest days into the "hap-happiest season of all." Modern Christmas celebrations, however, serve as a source of conflict-and can make us anxious, stressed, fat, poor and stupid. Christmas owns us; we do what it wants, when it wants. But, Johnson argues, taking a close look at the history of the holiday, and the social, political and economic issues that surround it, can turn the tables and allow us to own Christmas once again. Christmas is not a Christians-only holiday that can only be properly celebrated a certain way. Christmas belongs to us all and we can each simply make it what we need it to be.

Blues - Philosophy for Everyone

Blues - Philosophy for Everyone PDF Author: Jesse R. Steinberg
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470656808
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 249

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Book Description
The philosophy of the blues From B.B. King to Billie Holiday, Blues music not only sounds good, but has an almost universal appeal in its reflection of the trials and tribulations of everyday life. Its ability to powerfully touch on a range of social and emotional issues is philosophically inspiring, and here, a diverse range of thinkers and musicians offer illuminating essays that make important connections between the human condition and the Blues that will appeal to music lovers and philosophers alike.

Sailing - Philosophy For Everyone

Sailing - Philosophy For Everyone PDF Author: Patrick Goold
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118336402
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
This volume reveals the wisdom we can learn from sailing, a sport that pits human skills against the elements, tests the mettle and is a rich source of valuable lessons in life. Unravels the philosophical mysteries behind one of the oldest organized human activities Features contributions from philosophers and academics as well as from sailors themselves Enriches appreciation of the sport by probing its meaning and value Brings to life the many applications of philosophy to sailing and the profound lessons it can teach us A thought-provoking read for sailors and philosophers alike

Fashion - Philosophy for Everyone

Fashion - Philosophy for Everyone PDF Author: Jessica Wolfendale
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444345540
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
If you just can't decide what to wear, this enlightening guide will lead you through the diverse and sometimes contradictory aspects of fashion in a series of lively, entertaining and thoughtful essays from prominent philosophers and writers. A unique and enlightening insight into the underlying philosophy behind the power of fashion Contributions address issues in fashion from a variety of viewpoints, including aesthetics, the nature of fashion and fashionability, ethics, gender and identity politics, and design Includes a foreword by Jennifer Baumgardner, feminist author, activist and cultural critic, editor of Ms magazine (1993-7) and regular contributor to major women's magazines including Glamour and Marie-Claire

Coffee - Philosophy for Everyone

Coffee - Philosophy for Everyone PDF Author:
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444393375
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Offering philosophical insights into the popular morning brew, Coffee -- Philosophy for Everyone kick starts the day with an entertaining but critical discussion of the ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and culture of coffee. Matt Lounsbury of pioneering business Stumptown Coffee discusses just how good coffee can be Caffeine-related chapters cover the ethics of the coffee trade, the metaphysics of coffee and the centrality of the coffee house to the public sphere Includes a foreword by Donald Schoenholt, President at Gillies Coffee Company

Cannabis - Philosophy for Everyone

Cannabis - Philosophy for Everyone PDF Author: Dale Jacquette
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444341391
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
The debate on the status and legality of cannabis continues to gain momentum. Here, personal anecdotes combined with academic and scientific reports combine to sharpen some of the fascinating philosophical issues associated with cannabis use. A frank, professionally informed and playful discussion of cannabis usage in relation to philosophical inquiry Considers the meaning of a ‘high’, the morality of smoking marijuana for pleasure, the slippery slope to more dangerous drugs, and the human drive to alter our consciousness Not only incorporates contributions from philosophers, psychologists, sociologists or legal, pharmacological, and medical experts, but also non-academics associated with the cultivation, distribution, and sale of cannabis Brings together an international team of writers from the United States, Canada, UK, Finland, Switzerland, South Africa, and New Zealand

Hunting - Philosophy for Everyone

Hunting - Philosophy for Everyone PDF Author: Nathan Kowalsky
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1444341472
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 280

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Book Description
Hunting - Philosophy for Everyone presents a collection of readings from academics and non-academics alike that move beyond the ethical justification of hunting to investigate less traditional topics and offer fresh perspectives on why we hunt. The only recent book to explicitly examine the philosophical issues surrounding hunting Shatters many of the stereotypes about hunting, forcing us to rethink the topic Features contributions from a wide range of academic and non-academic sources, including both hunters and non-hunters