When Reason Goes on Holiday

Philosophers in Politics

Biography & Memoir, Philosophers, Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Higher Education, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Political
Cover of the book When Reason Goes on Holiday by Neven Sesardic, Encounter Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Neven Sesardic ISBN: 9781594038808
Publisher: Encounter Books Publication: November 15, 2016
Imprint: Encounter Books Language: English
Author: Neven Sesardic
ISBN: 9781594038808
Publisher: Encounter Books
Publication: November 15, 2016
Imprint: Encounter Books
Language: English

Philosophers usually emphasize the importance of logic, clarity and reason. Therefore when they address political issues they will usually inject a dose of rationality in these discussions, right?

Wrong. This book gives a lot of examples showing the unexpected level of political irrationality among leading contemporary philosophers. The body of the book presents a detailed analysis of extreme leftist views of a number of famous philosophers and their occasional descent into apology for-and occasionally even active participation in-totalitarian politics. Most of these episodes are either virtually unknown (even inside the philosophical community) or have received very little attention.

The author tries to explain how it was possible that so many luminaries of twentieth-century philosophy, who invoked reason and exhibited rigor and careful thinking in their professional work, succumbed to irrationality and ended up supporting some of the most murderous political regimes and ideologies. The huge leftist bias in contemporary philosophy and its persistence over the years is certainly a factor but it is far from being the whole story.

Interestingly, the indisputably high intelligence of these philosophers did not actually protect them from descending into political insanity. It is argued that, on the contrary, both their brilliance and the high esteem they enjoyed in the profession only made them more self-confident and less cautious, thereby eventually making them blind to their betrayal of reason and the monstrosity of the causes they defended.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Philosophers usually emphasize the importance of logic, clarity and reason. Therefore when they address political issues they will usually inject a dose of rationality in these discussions, right?

Wrong. This book gives a lot of examples showing the unexpected level of political irrationality among leading contemporary philosophers. The body of the book presents a detailed analysis of extreme leftist views of a number of famous philosophers and their occasional descent into apology for-and occasionally even active participation in-totalitarian politics. Most of these episodes are either virtually unknown (even inside the philosophical community) or have received very little attention.

The author tries to explain how it was possible that so many luminaries of twentieth-century philosophy, who invoked reason and exhibited rigor and careful thinking in their professional work, succumbed to irrationality and ended up supporting some of the most murderous political regimes and ideologies. The huge leftist bias in contemporary philosophy and its persistence over the years is certainly a factor but it is far from being the whole story.

Interestingly, the indisputably high intelligence of these philosophers did not actually protect them from descending into political insanity. It is argued that, on the contrary, both their brilliance and the high esteem they enjoyed in the profession only made them more self-confident and less cautious, thereby eventually making them blind to their betrayal of reason and the monstrosity of the causes they defended.

More books from Encounter Books

Cover of the book The Unmaking of a Mayor by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book Regulators Gone Wild by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book Gray Lady Down by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book While America Slept by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book America in the Age of Trump by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book Trump vs. the Leviathan by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book What President Obama Doesn’t Know About Guantanamo by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book The Long March by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book Why We Won't Talk Honestly About Race by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book The Truth About the IRS Scandals by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book Liberty's Nemesis by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book Surviving Hell by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book How the Obama Administration Threatens to Undermine Our Elections by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book Turning Right at Hollywood and Vine by Neven Sesardic
Cover of the book The Education Invasion by Neven Sesardic
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy