"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
The Philosopher's Dog is a mixture of storytelling, mostly about Gaita's own, and his father's, relationship with their domestic pets, and philosophical reflections on the stories he tells.
The stories are about animals and their character: about Jack the cockatoo, Orloff, Zac and Gypsy the dogs, about cats, spiders, butterflies, about his father’s love and care for bees and his antipathy for insects. All are fascinating and touching stories in themselves. But more than this, Gaita's aim is to bring philosophy and story-telling together without turning the stories into long-winded philosophical examples and without compromising the philosophy for the sake of a good story.
The stories are used as a way in to philosophical questions about what it means to be a creature, about animal and human "consciousness", God, dignity, youth, old age, the relationship between science, philosophy and storytelling and about what it means to live an authentic individual life. A book such as this-–personal recollections of family pets, family members, autobiography and serious philosophy, would have been difficult to write because of the dangers of sliding into a self-regarding, self-indulgent, sentimental mode are obvious. What makes this highly unusual book such an immensely enjoyable read is the fact that Gaita is a gifted writer, a deeply sensitive, imaginative man as well as a profound philosopher. --Larry Brown
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.47
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # mon0000039162
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 3414625-n
Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition. Seller Inventory # bk0812970241xvz189zvxnew
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-0812970241-new
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # I-9780812970241
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0812970241
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Brand New. reprint edition. 220 pages. 8.00x5.25x0.50 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # x-0812970241
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0812970241
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 3414625-n
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0812970241