Philosophy for Life Applying Philosophy in Politics and Culture

Philosophy for Life is a bold call for the practice of philosophy in our everyday lives. Philosopher and writer Rupert Read explores a series of important and often provocative contemporary political and cultural issues from a philosophical perspective, arguing that philosophy is not a body of doctrine, but a practice, a vantage point from which life should be analysed and, more importantly, acted upon. Philosophy for Life is a personal journey that explores four key areas of society today: Politics, Religion, Art, and the Environment. Taking tangible examples from modern politics, from climate change to the war on terror, and culture, from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy to the poetry of T.S. Eliot, Read shows that philosophy is already an active part of today's world. This captivating and timely book offers a philosophical response to some of the key questions facing today's society and encourages us to use philosophy as a kind of therapy. Philosophy for Life shows that we can improve our perspective on the world and our place in it by doing philosophy everyday. >

Introduction I. Environment1. We are part of our ecosystem2. The Cost of Growth: Climate Change, Crisis and Chaos3. If you are anti-war, you should be pro-animal rights II. Religion4. Religion Without Belief5. Which is worse: Death or Dying?6. (How) Is Forgiveness Possible? III. Politics7. How I learned to love Noam Chomsky8. Rings, Power, Fear and Politics IV. Art9. Eliot for Art's Sake ConclusionSuggestions for Further ReadingBibliography