Philosophy Short

Death might seem to render pointless all our attempts to create a meaningful life. Doesn't meaning require transcending death through an afterlife or in some other way? On the contrary, Dean Rickles argues, life without death would be like playing tennis without a net. Only constraints—and death is the ultimate constraint—make our actions meaningful. In Life Is Short, Rickles explains why the finiteness and shortness of life is the essence of its meaning-and how this insight is the key to making the most of the time we do have.

This addition to Oxford's Very Short Introductions series traces how Americans have addressed the issues and events of their time and place, whether it is the Civil War, the Great Depression, or the culture wars of today.

In this Very Short Introduction, John Heilbron draws on sources never before presented in English to cover the life and work of one of the most creative physicists of the 20th century. In addition to his role as a scientist, Heilbron considers Bohr as a statesman and Danish cultural icon, who built scientific institutions and pushed for the extension of international cooperation in science to all nation states. As a humanist he was concerned with the cultivation of all sides of the individual, and with the complementary contributions of all peoples to the sum of human culture.

Do animals have moral rights? If so, what does this mean? What sorts of mental lives do animals have, and how should we understand welfare? By presenting models for understanding animals' moral status and rights, and examining their mental lives and welfare, David DeGrazia explores the implications for how we should treat animals in connection with our diet, zoos, and research. Animal Rights distinguishes itself by combining intellectual rigor with accessibility, offering a distinct moral voice with a non-polemical tone.

Country music has long been a marker of American identity; from our popular culture to our politics, it has provided a soundtrack to our national life. While traditionally associated with the working class, country's appeal is far broader than any other popular music style. While this music rose from the people, it is also a product of the popular music industry, and the way the music has been marketed to its audience is a key part of its story.

Stacy Short is a former high school and college English teacher who spent the first year of her teaching career playing catch-up and trying to stay sane. She has worked with all levels of students, including many national merit scholars. She has coached academics for over 30 years in multiple events. With some helpful resources and guidance, she quickly rose to the top in her profession, her students earning many of the highest awards in Texas. Now, she’s here to help you do the same.

Learn how you can benefit from philosophy without boring your brains out and struggling to understand obtuse and annoying sentences. This book is meant as a short, coffee-table-style book to bring you neat and entertaining stories to think about. While if you find a certain story and topic interesting, you will discover what we have found out so far as a people.

Outside in the sunshine, with flowers and plants, Abby Adams, Susan Hill, Christopher Lloyd, and more let their creative juices flow to produce this companion to The Writer in the Garden. It too is filled with passionate observations and philosophical meanderings. Ironic, amusing, and idiosyncratic, these delightful tales are a joyful addition to the first volume. So roll up your sleeves and play in the mud while these talented writers inspire you with their words.

Questo non è un libro di morale, né un grido di dolore o, tanto meno, una lamentazione acritica e dozzinale su come va il mondo. Si tratta, molto più semplicemente, di una sorta di testamento spirituale di un uomo che, giunto alle soglie dei sessant'anni, e con la viva speranza di vivere ancora molto a lungo, fa un bilancio non tanto della propriai vita, quanto della vita in générale, cercando di inserirvi tutto quanto in essa ha appreso. Cioè poche cose.

Intersigno de Villiers de l'Isle-Adam es una novela corta que invita a la reflexión y que profundiza en las complejidades de la conciencia humana y la naturaleza de la realidad. La historia sigue al protagonista, Gaston de Vérac, un joven que se obsesiona con desentrañar los misterios del universo. A través de una serie de discusiones filosóficas y reflexiones introspectivas, Gaston aborda profundas preguntas sobre la existencia, la identidad y la interconexión de todas las cosas.

Ever wondered what life actually means? Ever sat alone and thought what the hell the point to life actually is? Why should I even continue my life? These thoughts, what at first may seem irrational, may not be as insane as you might think! This book is a fast-paced journey that is jam packed with details about our very beginnings up to our present day thinking. This information is to understand the true reality of existence and a real way of not only surviving, but living the life you want to live.

The Prophet is Kahlil Gibran's most famous work. He focuses on human relationships, as well as many other topics, including love, friendship, passion, work, good and evil, and time in a beautiful, simple, lyrical style.

It's always interesting to hear another person's thoughts or philosophy about life. Some people are so boring they put you to sleep. Others can be so amusing. Some could change the way you think for the rest of your life. The lines, paragraphs and/or statements herein could be against all your beliefs. Then again, it could be right up your alley and change your life for the better. The reason for this book is to provoke thoughts for the wondering.

David Hume, philosopher, historian, economist, librarian, and essayist, was one of the great figures of the European Enlightenment. Unlike some of his famous contemporaries, however, he was not dogmatically committed to idealized conceptions of reason, liberty, and progress.

Leofranc Holford-Strevens brings us this fascinating study of time using a range of examples from ancient Rome and Julius Caesar's imposition of the leap year to the 1920s project for a fixed Easter. Those interested in time, history, and the development of the calendar will enjoy this absorbing exploration of an aspect of our lives that we all take for granted.

Descartes is perhaps best known for his statement, "Cogito, ergo sum," the cornerstone of his metaphysics. But he did not intend the metaphysics to stand apart from his scientific work, which included important investigations into physics, mathematics, and optics. In this book, Sorell shows that Descarates was, above all, an advocate and practitioner of the new mathematical approach to physics, and that he developed his philosophies to support his discoveries in the sciences.

Michael Carrithers guides us through the complex and sometimes conflicting information that Buddhist texts give about the life and teaching of the Buddha. He discusses the social and political background of India in the Buddha's time, and traces the development of his thought. He also assesses the rapid and widespread assimilation of Buddhism and its contemporary relevance. Well-paced and informative, this introduction will enlighten not only those who study Buddhism and comparative religion but anyone intrigued by the remarkable philosophy of one of the greatest religious thinkers.

No wonder Elias Canetti described it as "one of the few great and perfect works of the poetic imagination written". The Metamorphosis remains one of the best works of fiction in history. It is the story of a traveling salesman, Gregor Samsa, who wakes up to find himself being transformed to an insect-like creature. The story unfolds into one of the greatest short fiction stories ever written.

En l'an 2020, la société humaine, confrontée à la montée de la violence urbaine, civique et économique, à la dégradation de son environnement et à la déshumanisation comportementale de sa population, a accepté pour survivre, une nouvelle justice. Cette nouvelle justice devra lui garantir un avenir et un nouvel espoir. Dorénavant, chaque être humain devra s'acquitter d'une prime de vie. Quel en sera le prix ?À tort ou à raison, la question de la sécurité depuis quelque temps est largement abordée dans nos sociétés. Partant de ce fait, cette nouvelle est construite sur le compost de l'insécurité.

Kapuri, the she-elephant, noticed that a new dog, or rather, a new dam, had come into the temple premises. There were, of course, two canines residing there already, Kalu and Sudu. When the new dam walked in, somewhat timidly at first, Kapuri noticed that Sudu became greatly agitated. She growled and snarled and barked to no end at the newcomer, despite the latter's gentle demeanour, and even tried to attack her. The newcomer, whose name was Sukhi, settled herself down with great composure and decorum under the Bo tree.