Robert Nozick (Philosophy Now) - Hardcover

Lacey, Alan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1902683242 ISBN 13: 9781902683249

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

Synopsis

Although best known for the hugely influential Anarchy, State and Utopia, Robert Nozick (1938-2002) eschewed the label 'political philosopher' because the vast majority of his writings and attention have focused on other areas. Indeed the breadth of Nozick's work is perhaps greater than that of any other contemporary philosopher. This book is the first to give full and proper discussion of Nozick's philosophy as a whole, including his influential work on the theory of knowledge, his notion of 'tracking the truth', his metaphysical writings on personal identity and free will, his evolutionary account of rationality, his varying treatments of Newcomb's paradox and his ideas on the meaning of life. Illuminating and informative, the book will be welcomed as an authoritative guide to Nozick's philosophical thinking.

About this title

Review

"Lacey presents Nozick's views lucidly, and ably assembles the major critical engagements of his thought. The entirety of the presentation is both accessible and engaging - the book succeeds gallantly in its objective of giving non-experts an introduction to Nozick's body of work." - Political Studies "A thoroughly readable introduction to Nozick's philosophy that will doubtless inform one's opinions and understanding of Nozick." - Studies in Social and Political Thought "An extremely well done, detailed critical survey of Nozick's philosophical writings and reactions to them. I greatly enjoyed reading it." - Gilbert Harman, Princeton University

Synopsis

Robert Nozick's "Anarchy, State and Utopia" has been immensely influential within both philosophy circles and practical politics. This book seeks to give a full-length treatment of Nozick's philosophy, examining his writings on ethics, epistemology, metaphysics, amongst other topics. The book begins by examining "Anarchy, State and Utopia", and moves on to explore Robert Nozick's work on the theory of knowledge and his nothion of "tracking the truth". His metaphysical writings are explored, including those on personal identity, free will and the existance of God. The moral basis of his polticial philosophy is considered in depth, as is his, evolutionary account of rationality, ideas of "symbolic unity" and his varying treatments of Newcomb's paradox. THe final chapters conclude iwth a discussion of more general topics on philosophy and life.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1902683242
• ISBN 13: 9781902683249
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256