The Philosopher's Dog - Softcover
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From the Inside Flap:
The philosopher Raimond Gaita has always been fascinated by animals- their obvious intelligence and disturbing brutality, their uncanny responsiveness to our moods and needs, the deep feelings they elicit from us and seem to return. In this marvelous, luminous book, Gaita trains the lens of philosophy on the mystery and beauty of the animals he has known and loved best. The Philosopher's Dog is one of those rare works that engage the heart from the very first paragraph and haunt the mind long after one has finished reading.
What does Gaita's dog, Gypsy, think about while she sits on her mat gazing out to sea for hours on end? Why did the irascible cockatoo Jack greet Gaita's father with kisses each morning but bite everyone else? How can we acknowledge that animals are sentient and yet deny that they have consciousness? Is it possible to love animals and still eat meat? In contemplating questions like these, Gaita weaves together personal stories-inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking accounts about the animals he and his family members have sheltered-with the reflections and analysis of a professional philosopher.
A graceful, engaging stylist, Gaita is perfectly lucid as he grapples with great thinkers through the ages-from Socrates to Wittgenstein, Descartes to Hannah Arendt. And yet, as important as formal philosophy has been to him, Gaita frankly acknowledges that he has learned much about the nature of life from Gypsy and Jack and his courageously arrogant cat Tosca. In the end, he argues that love should be the essence of our bond with animals, the critical factor that guides how we treat them and think about their place in our world.
In pondering the meaning and moralityof his relationships with animals, and with the natural world more generally, Raimond Gaita has created a surprising masterpiece, a book of startling insights, spellbinding stories, meticulous observations, and wise reflection. At once engrossing and thought-provoking, The Philosopher's Dog is a supremely enjoyable book.
About the Author:
What does Gaita's dog, Gypsy, think about while she sits on her mat gazing out to sea for hours on end? Why did the irascible cockatoo Jack greet Gaita's father with kisses each morning but bite everyone else? How can we acknowledge that animals are sentient and yet deny that they have consciousness? Is it possible to love animals and still eat meat? In contemplating questions like these, Gaita weaves together personal stories-inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking accounts about the animals he and his family members have sheltered-with the reflections and analysis of a professional philosopher.
A graceful, engaging stylist, Gaita is perfectly lucid as he grapples with great thinkers through the ages-from Socrates to Wittgenstein, Descartes to Hannah Arendt. And yet, as important as formal philosophy has been to him, Gaita frankly acknowledges that he has learned much about the nature of life from Gypsy and Jack and his courageously arrogant cat Tosca. In the end, he argues that love should be the essence of our bond with animals, the critical factor that guides how we treat them and think about their place in our world.
In pondering the meaning and moralityof his relationships with animals, and with the natural world more generally, Raimond Gaita has created a surprising masterpiece, a book of startling insights, spellbinding stories, meticulous observations, and wise reflection. At once engrossing and thought-provoking, The Philosopher's Dog is a supremely enjoyable book.
"From the Hardcover edition.
Born in Germany in 1946, RAIMOND GAITA is professor of moral philosophy at Kings College, University of London, and professor of philosophy at the Australian Catholic University. Among his books published in the United States are A Common Humanity: Thinking about Love and Truth and Justice and Good and Evil: An Absolute Conception. He lives in London and Melbourne.
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- PublisherText Publishing
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 1877008273
- ISBN 13 9781877008276
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages224
- Rating
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The Philosopher's Dog
Published by
Text Publishing, Melbourne
(2002)
ISBN 10: 1877008273
ISBN 13: 9781877008276
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Softcover
First Edition
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Book Description Softcover. Condition: Good. First Edition. Black and white photograph of author and his dog at the beginning of the text. Colour illustrated paperback binding (wraparound), with French flaps. White coloured titles to the front panel and black and ochre coloured titles to the backstrip. Black and white photograph of author to the front French flap. In this book the author " . tells stories about dogs and cats, bees and butterflies. Many of these stories describe animals he has known: Jack the cockatoo, Gypsy the dog and Tosca the street -wise cat. In focusing on them and others, in the context of family life, Gaita asks questions about how animals think and feel." Â from the front fold over panel blurb. Rubbing to the book edges and panels. Tanning of the text block edges and pages. The first couple of pages have become a little bubbled at the right-hand edge. Size: Trade Paperback. [12], 3 - 213, [1] pages, Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 500 grams. Category: Animals & Birds; Australia; Philosophy. ISBN: 1877008273. ISBN/EAN: 9781877008276. Inventory No: 0130629. Seller Inventory # 0130629
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The Philosopher's Dog
Published by
Text Publishing, Melbourne
(2002)
ISBN 10: 1877008273
ISBN 13: 9781877008276
Used
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First Edition
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Book Description Softcover (with flaps). Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. First Edition. A collection of stories and musings on various animals, and theories as to why human's enjoy the company of animals so much. Size: Octavo (standard book size). Text body is clean, and free from previous owner annotation, underlining and highlighting. Binding is tight, covers and spine fully intact. No foxing in this copy. Edges browned slightly. Multiple copies available this title. Quantity Available: 2. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Philosophy; ISBN: 1877008273. ISBN/EAN: 9781877008276. All our pictures shown here are of the actual item, not stock photos. Inventory No: 18740. For further info on this title, click on the "Contact Seller" button within this listing. We will try to reply within 24 hours. Otherwise you can order right now (inclusive of shipping options) from the "Add to Basket" button to the right. Seller Inventory # 18740
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