Challenging commonly held biological, religious, and ethical
beliefs, internationally well known historian of science Roger
Smith boldly argues that human nature is not some "thing" awaiting
discovery but is active in understanding itself. According to
Smith, "being human" is a self-creation made possible through a
reflective circle of thought and action, with a past and a future,
and studying this "history" from a range of perspectives is
fundamental to human self-understanding.
Smith's argument brings together historical and contemporary
debates concerning materialism and human nature and the relations
of the different fields of knowledge. He draws on classic writings
from across the human sciences, touching on sociology,
anthropology, brain sciences, history, philosophical hermeneutics,
and critical theory, and demonstrates that there is no position
outside history for an absolutely objective or eternally valid view
of human nature. The question "what is human?" does not have and
could not possible have one answer. Instead, there exists a variety
of answers for different purposes, and there are good reasons for
the many conceptions of what it is to be human.
Smith does not treat human nature as only biological, economic,
or moral, but as a multidimensional subject that should be
considered in its proper historical context. By understanding this
context, Smith believes, we can come to a truer understanding of
ourselves. Persuasively and elegantly written, "Being Human" takes
an important new turn in the philosophical study of being
human.
General
Imprint: |
Columbia University Press
|
Country of origin: |
United States |
Release date: |
April 2007 |
First published: |
June 2007 |
Authors: |
Roger Smith
|
Dimensions: |
222 x 146 x 28mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Hardcover
|
Pages: |
288 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-231-14166-6 |
Categories: |
Books >
Humanities >
Philosophy >
General
Books >
Philosophy >
General
|
LSN: |
0-231-14166-1 |
Barcode: |
9780231141666 |
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!