Quiddities: An Intermittently Philosophical Dictionary - Softcover

Quine, W. V.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0674743520 ISBN 13: 9780674743526

Publisher: Harvard University Press, 1989

Synopsis

The appellation “polymath” is often lightly bestowed, but it can be applied with confidence to the celebrated philosopher Willard Van Orman Quine. Quine’s areas of interest are panoramic, as this lively book amply demonstrates.

Moving from A (alphabet) to Z (zero), Quiddities roams through more than eighty topics, each providing a full measure of piquant thought, wordplay, and wisdom, couched in easy and elegant prose―“Quine at his unbuttoned best,” in Donald Davidson’s words. Philosophy, language, and mathematics are the subjects most fully represented; tides of entries include belief, communication, free will, idiotisms, longitude and latitude, marks, prizes, Latin pronunciation, tolerance, trinity. Even the more technical entries are larded with homely lore, anecdote, and whimsical humor.

Quiddities will be a treat for admirers of Quine and for others who like to think, who care about language, and who enjoy the free play of intellect on topics large and small. For this select audience, it is an ideal book for browsing.

About this title

About the Author

W. V. Quine was Edgar Pierce Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University. He wrote twenty-one books, thirteen of them published by Harvard University Press.

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: Harvard University Press
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0674743520
• ISBN 13: 9780674743526
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 262