Quiddities: An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary - Softcover

Quine, W. V.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140125221 ISBN 13: 9780140125221

Publisher: Penguin, 1990

Synopsis

To define the quiddity of a thing originally meant to define its essential nature, then the word came to mean a subtle distinction and later a quibble. All three senses are called into play in the title of W.V. Quine's "Quiddities". It contains a series of brief essays, in a dictionary form, on subjects ranging from altruism to zero.

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Review

The book is infused with a deadpan humor that can light up even the most austere subjects...At almost every turn there are cheerful ripples of wordplay, as in the title, which at various times has meant essence, a subtle distinction and a quibble.

"ÝQuiddities¨" is infused with a deadpan humor that can lighten up even the most austere subjects...At almost every turn there are cheerful ripples of wordplay...These pieces are distinguished by good sense and, at many points, sardonic wit. -- John Gross "New York Times"

the quintessential quirkiness of natural language.

distinguished by good sense and, at many points, sardonic wit.

arguments justifying altruism as self-interest and finds them wanting.

previously mentioned two, on such other diverse subjects as freedom, gambling and truth.

interests...Few people apart from Mr. Quine could write a sensible and informative essay on Things in two-and-a-half pages.

for Quine as a peerless companion, raconteur, and amused commentator on the passing show...cannot do better than to read this book.

[Quiddities] is infused with a deadpan humor that can lighten up even the most austere subjects...At almost every turn there are cheerful ripples of wordplay...These pieces are distinguished by good sense and, at many points, sardonic wit.

Quiddities is the work of an author who has faith in his own idiosyncratic enthusiasms. Ranging from lucid expositions of philosophical topics that are central to the fields that have intrigued him throughout his career--particularly logic and the philosophy of mathematics... Quiddities will serve as a superb introduction to central issues in contemporary thinking about logic, mathematics, language and science, an introduction that may lead [one] on to appreciation of Quine's half century of seminal writings. Aficionados will enjoy the witty reformulations of familiar themes and find a bonus in learning about the quintessential quirkiness of natural language.

From the Back Cover

'[Quiddities] is infused with deadpan humor that can light up even the most austere subjects... At almost every turn there are cheerful ripples of wordplay... These pieces are distinguished by good sense and, at many points, sardonic wit.' --John Gross, 'New York Times'

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140125221
• ISBN 13: 9780140125221
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 250