In Defence of Wonder and Other Philosophical Reflections - Softcover

Tallis, Raymond

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1844655253 ISBN 13: 9781844655250

Publisher: Routledge, 2012

Synopsis

In these lively and provocative essays, philosopher, polymath and all-round intellectual heavyweight, Raymond Tallis debunks commonplace truths, exposes woolly thinking and pulls the rug from beneath a wide range of commentator whether scientist, theologian, philosopher or pundit. Tallis takes to task much of contemporary science and philosophy, arguing that they are guilty of taking us down ever narrowing conduits of problem solving that only invite ever more complex responses and in doing so have lost sight of "wonder" - the metaphysical intoxication that first gave birth to philosophy 2,500 years ago. Tallis tackles some meaty topics - memory, time, language, truth, fiction, consciousness - but always with his characteristic verve, insight and wit. These essays showcase Tallis's skill for getting to the heart of the matter and challenging us to see, and wonder, in different ways. Wonder is the proper state of humankind, and as these essays show it has no more forceful a champion than Raymond Tallis.

About this title

About the Author:

Raymond Tallis trained as a doctor before going on to become Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Manchester. He was elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences for his research in clinical neuroscience. He retired from medicine in 2006 to become a full-time writer. He has published fiction, poetry and over a dozen books of cultural criticism and philosophical anthropology including, most recently, the acclaimed The Kingdom of Infinite Space (Atlantic, 2008) and Aping Mankind (Acumen, 2011).

Review:

'What comes across, on almost every page, are Tallis' enthusiasms for both philosophy and - even greater - for writing itself. And for once the back-cover puffery, where we are told of his verve, insight and wit, most definitely hits the mark.' --Christopher Belshaw, Times Higher

'This collection of essays supplies what has been wanting for some time: an introduction, for the non-specialist reader, that gives some indication of the breadth and depth of Tallis's work. Tallis is not just a polymath, but a most congenial thinker with whom to exercise one's intellect.' --The Guardian

'A profound, entertaining and engaging collection.' --Church Times

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1844655253
• ISBN 13: 9781844655250
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256