Plato at the Googleplex
Why Philosophy Won't Go Away
Published on 2. October 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
480 pages
978-1-78239-557-7 (ISBN)
Description
What would the ancient Greek philosopher make of the twenty-first-century Google headquarters?
A dazzling exploration of the role of ancient philosophy in modern life from the acclaimed writer and thinker.
Imagine that Plato came to life in the twenty-first century and embarked on a multi-city speaking tour. How would he mediate a debate between a Freudian psychoanalyst and a 'tiger mum' on how to raise the perfect child? How would he handle the host of a right-wing news program who denies there can be morality without religion? What would Plato make of Google, and of the idea that knowledge can be crowdsourced rather than reasoned out by experts?
Plato at the Googleplex is acclaimed thinker Rebecca Newberger Goldstein's dazzling investigation of these conundra. With a philosopher's depth and erudition and a novelist's imagination and wit, Goldstein probes the deepest issues confronting us by allowing us to eavesdrop on Plato as he takes on the modern world; it is a stunningly original plunge into the drama of philosophy, revealing its hidden role in today's debates on religion, morality, politics and science.
A dazzling exploration of the role of ancient philosophy in modern life from the acclaimed writer and thinker.
Imagine that Plato came to life in the twenty-first century and embarked on a multi-city speaking tour. How would he mediate a debate between a Freudian psychoanalyst and a 'tiger mum' on how to raise the perfect child? How would he handle the host of a right-wing news program who denies there can be morality without religion? What would Plato make of Google, and of the idea that knowledge can be crowdsourced rather than reasoned out by experts?
Plato at the Googleplex is acclaimed thinker Rebecca Newberger Goldstein's dazzling investigation of these conundra. With a philosopher's depth and erudition and a novelist's imagination and wit, Goldstein probes the deepest issues confronting us by allowing us to eavesdrop on Plato as he takes on the modern world; it is a stunningly original plunge into the drama of philosophy, revealing its hidden role in today's debates on religion, morality, politics and science.
Reviews / Votes
This could be one of the best ever demonstrations of the value and utility of philosophy. Richly insightful, beautifully written, it is at once introduction, exploration, and application, revealing the fascination and significance of philosophical ideas and their relevance to life. Like the Plato who figures largely here, Goldstein has both literary and philosophical gifts of the highest order: the combination is superb. -- A.C. Grayling * author of The God Argument * Felicitously written, impressively researched, insightful, important, entertaining, independent-minded and glowing with intelligence... Plato is brought marvellously to life and relevance in these passionate pages. -- Colin McGinn * Wall Street Journal * A wonderful book - enjoyably readable, full of stimulating insights and refreshing observations, unintimidatingly erudite, and salted with a gentle wit. -- Harry Frankfurt * author of On Bullshit * An important and amazing book. Goldstein beautifully combines the skills of a distinguished novelist with breathtaking philosophical scholarship. -- Hilary Putnam, John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities Emeritus, Harvard University Long awaited... Rebecca Goldstein manages to be so funny and right -- Stephen FryMore details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
Integrated
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
717 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78239-557-7 (9781782395577)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Rebecca Newberger Goldstein received her doctorate in philosophy from Princeton University. Her award-winning books include the novels The Mind-Body Problem, Properties of Light, and 36 Arguments for the Existence of God: A Work of Fiction and nonfiction studies of Kurt Goedel and Baruch Spinoza. She has received a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, has been designated a Humanist of the Year and a Freethought Heroine, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She lives in Massachusetts.