Philosophy and the Good Life
Reason and the Passions in Greek, Cartesian and Psychoanalytic Ethics
- Author: John Cottingham, University of Reading
- Date Published: July 1998
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521478908
Paperback
Other available formats:
Hardback, eBook
Looking for an inspection copy?
This title is not currently available on inspection
-
Can philosophy enable us to lead better lives through a systematic understanding of our human nature? John Cottingham's thought-provoking 1998 study examines the contrasting approaches to this problem found in three major phases of Western philosophy. Starting with the attempts of Plato, Aristotle and the Stoics and Epicureans to cope with the recalcitrant forces of the passions, he moves on to examine the fascinating and hitherto little-studied moral psychology of Descartes, and his effort to integrate the physical and emotional aspects of our humanity into a rational blueprint for fulfilment. He concludes by analysing the insights of modern psychoanalytic theory into the human predicament, arguing that philosophy neglects them at its peril if it hopes to come to terms with the complex relationship between reason and the emotions. Lucid in exposition and unusually wide-ranging in scope, Philosophy and the Good Life provides a challenging perspective on moral philosophy and psychology for students and specialists alike.
Read more- Ranges widely over three major areas of philosophical thought
- Author a noted authority on Descartes, subject of chapter three
- Lucid and accessible: suitable for students
Reviews & endorsements
' … a book of innumerable pleasures, of which Cottingham's careful eclecticism is perhaps one of the most unexpected. Anyone writing in the analytic tradition who can see as much (if not more) value in Lacan as in Locke deserves credit … Fittingly, this is not just about reason and the passions, but it is also written with plenty of both. It should not only refresh the jaded senses of those who feel they've read enough on ethics for one lifetime, but could also persuade those not of a philosophical disposition that maybe there's something to be said for the old discipline after all'. The Philosophers' Magazine
See more reviews' … offers first thoughts on questions of real depth and importance.' The Times Literary Supplement
'John Cottingham's masterful book is [written] … with pungency, elegance and an unpretentious seriousness. Few philosophers could read this book without learning a lot, and without wanting to think further about the important issues it raises.' Roger Crisp, Philosophical Books
'Rich and wise and emotionally engaged … Cottingham's book is humane, learned, ambitious, original and beautifully written. Read it.' Timothy Chappell, Philosophical Quarterly
'Fascinating … an excellent instance of a historically oriented treatment of a number of important substantive issues in ethics … Cottingham is to be warmly applauded for his humane and resounding defence of the project of [exploring how] philosophy and psychoanalysis can converge or cooperate in advancing our thinking about how we want to live.' Raymond Geuss, Philosophy
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: July 1998
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521478908
- length: 248 pages
- dimensions: 216 x 138 x 17 mm
- weight: 0.35kg
- contains: 2 tables
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
1. Philosophy and how to live
2. Ratiocentric ethics
3. The ethics of science and power
4. Ethics and the challenge to reason.
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email [email protected]
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×