Synopsis
Truth has always been a central preoccupation of philosophy in allits forms and traditions. Yet in the late twentieth century truth became suddenly rather unfashionable. The precedence given to assortedpolitical and ideological agendas, along with the rise of relativism, postmodernism and pseudoscience in academia, led to a decline both of truth as a serious subject, and an intellectual tradition thatbegan with the Enlightenment.
Why Truth Matters is a timely, incisive and entertaining look at how and why modern thought and culture lost sight of the importance of truth. It is also an eloquent and inspiring argument for restoring truth to its rightful place. Jeremy Stangroom and Ophelia Benson, editors of the successful butterfliesandwheels website-itself established to "fight fashionable nonsense"-identify and debunk such senselessness, and the spurious claims made for it, in all its forms. Their account ranges over religious fundamentalism, Holocaust denial, the challenges of postmodernism and deconstruction, the wilful misinterpretation of evolutionary biology, identity politics and wishful thinking.
Why Truth Matters is both a rallying cry for the enlightened vision and an essential read for anyone who's everbeen bored, frustrated, bewildered or plain enraged by the worst excesses of the fashionable intelligentsia.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Jeremy Stangroom is co-editor, with Julian Baggini, of The Philosophers' Magazine and co-author of Do You Think What You Think You Think? (Granta, 2006), What Philosophers Think and Great Thinkers A-Z. He and Ophelia Benson are co-authors of Why Truth Matters and The Dictionary of Fashionable Nonsense (Souvenir, 2004).
Reviews
In response to what Benson and Stangroom consider the modern reality of gray areas and denial, they present a philosophical case for the importance of truth that draws on writings by philosophers, anthropologists, poets and scientists. Their approach, accessible for readers who are less familiar with philosophical thought, addresses a wide range of topics: feminism, "the social construction of truth" and evolutionary biology. However, Benson's and Stangroom's arguments tend to get lost in the breadth of material they cover. Though generalizations leave the text vulnerable to counterarguments, it's hard to find fault with their premise that the truth, no matter how elusive or uncomfortable it may be, is worth pursuing.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Why Truth Matters
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Published by
Bloomsbury Academic & Professional, 2006
ISBN 10: 0826476082
ISBN 13: 9780826476081
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 18594170-6
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: St Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Eugene, OR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Acceptable. Hardcover The item is fairly worn but still readable. Signs of wear include aesthetic issues such as scratches, worn covers, damaged binding. The item may have identifying markings on it or show other signs of previous use. May have page creases, creased spine, bent cover or markings inside. Packed with care, shipped promptly. Seller Inventory # 2CC-02-1533
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.78. Seller Inventory # G0826476082I4N00
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.78. Seller Inventory # G0826476082I4N00
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_353835309
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR002151740
Buy Used
US$ 1.64
Shipping:
US$ 7.39
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 4 available
Seller Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # wbs5115137826
Buy Used
US$ 1.89
Shipping:
US$ 7.69
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Why Truth Matters This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780826476081
Buy Used
US$ 4.60
Shipping:
US$ 6.58
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780826476081
Buy Used
US$ 4.60
Shipping:
US$ 9.21
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Why Truth Matters
Published by
Continnuum, London and New York, 2006
ISBN 10: 0826476082
ISBN 13: 9780826476081
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Aladdin Books, Fullerton, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: As New. No Statement of Printing. As new in as new dust jacket. No markings, no bookplate, no remainder mark. Dust jacket has no chips or tears. Suitable for gift-giving. Seller Inventory # 112590