Of reality : the purposes of philosophy / Gianni Vattimo ; translated by Robert T. Valgenti.

Trans. by Robert T. Valgenti We think it is wise to accept reality, rather than fight for something that does not exist or might never be. But in __Of Reality__, Gianni Vattimo condemns this complacency, with its implicit support of the status quo. Instead he urges us to never stop questioning, contrasting, or overcoming reality, which is not natural, inevitable, or objective. Reality is a construct, reflecting, among other things, our greed, biases, and tendencies toward violence. It is no accident, Vattimo argues, that the call to embrace reality has emerged at a time when the inequalities of liberal capitalism are at their most extreme. Developed from his popular Gifford Lectures, this book advances a critical approach that recovers our interpretive powers and native skepticism toward normative claims. Though he recognizes his ideas invite charges of relativism, the philosopher counters with a discussion of truth, highlighting its longstanding ties to history and social circumstance. Truth is always contingent and provisional, and reason and reasonableness are bound to historical context. Truth is therefore never objective, and resistance to reality is our best hope to defeat the indifference that threatens the scope of freedom and democracy. We Think It Is Wise To Accept Reality, Rather Than Fight For Something That Does Not Exist Or Might Never Be. But In Of Reality, Gianni Vattimo Condemns This Complacency, With Its Implicit Support Of The Status Quo. Instead He Urges Us To Never Stop Questioning, Contrasting, Or Overcoming Reality, Which Is Not Natural, Inevitable, Or Objective. Reality Is A Construct, Reflecting, Among Other Things, Our Greed, Biases, And Tendencies Toward Violence. It Is No Accident, Vattimo Argues, That The Call To Embrace Reality Has Emerged At A Time When The Inequalities Of Liberal Capitalism Are At Their Most Extreme. Developed From His Popular Gifford Lectures, This Book Advances A Critical Approach That Recovers Our Interpretive Powers And Native Skepticism Toward Normative Claims. Though He Recognizes His Ideas Invite Charges Of Relativism, The Philosopher Counters With A Discussion Of Truth, Highlighting Its Longstanding Ties To History And Social Circumstance. Truth Is Always Contingent And Provisional, And Reason And Reasonableness Are Bound To Historical Context. Truth Is Therefore Never Objective, And Resistance To Reality Is Our Best Hope To Defeat The Indifference That Threatens The Scope Of Freedom And Democracy. -- Provided By Publisher. The Leuven Lectures -- Intermission -- The Gifford Lectures -- Appendix Gianni Vattimo ; Translated By Robert T. Valgenti. Translated From The Italian. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "We think it is wise to accept reality, rather than fight for something that does not exist or might never be. But in Of Reality, Gianni Vattimo condemns this complacency, with its implicit support of the status quo. Instead he urges us to never stop questioning, contrasting, or overcoming reality, which is not natural, inevitable, or objective. Reality is a construct, reflecting, among other things, our greed, biases, and tendencies toward violence. It is no accident, Vattimo argues, that the call to embrace reality has emerged at a time when the inequalities of liberal capitalism are at their most extreme. Developed from his popular Gifford Lectures, this book advances a critical approach that recovers our interpretive powers and native skepticism toward normative claims. Though he recognizes his ideas invite charges of relativism, the philosopher counters with a discussion of truth, highlighting its longstanding ties to history and social circumstance. Truth is always contingent and provisional, and reason and reasonableness are bound to historical context. Truth is therefore never objective, and resistance to reality is our best hope to defeat the indifference that threatens the scope of freedom and democracy."-- Résumé de l'éditeur "We think it is wise to accept reality, rather than fight for something that does not exist or might never be. But in Of Reality, Gianni Vattimo condemns this complacency, with its implicit support of the status quo. Instead he urges us to never stop questioning, contrasting, or overcoming reality, which is not natural, inevitable, or objective. Reality is a construct, reflecting, among other things, our greed, biases, and tendencies toward violence. It is no accident, Vattimo argues, that the call to embrace reality has emerged at a time when the inequalities of liberal capitalism are at their most extreme. Developed from his popular Gifford Lectures, this book advances a critical approach that recovers our interpretive powers and native skepticism toward normative claims. Though he recognizes his ideas invite charges of relativism, the philosopher counters with a discussion of truth, highlighting its longstanding ties to history and social circumstance. Truth is always contingent and provisional, and reason and reasonableness are bound to historical context. Truth is therefore never objective, and resistance to reality is our best hope to defeat the indifference that threatens the scope of freedom and democracy."--Book jacket flap Of Reality 1 Contents 9 Introduction 13 1. The Nietzsche Effect 23 2. The Heidegger Effect 41 3. The Age of the World Picture 59 4. The Temptation of Realism 75 5. Tarski and the Quotation Marks 87 6. Beyond Phenomenology 99 7. Being and Event 109 8. The Ethical Dissolution of Reality 119 9. Metaphysics and Violence: A Question of Method 125 10. From Heidegger to Marx: Hermeneutics as the Philosophy of Praxis 151 11. The End of Philosophy in the Age of Democracy 157 12. True and False Universalism 165 13. The Evil That Is Not, 1 177 14. The Evil That Is Not, 2 183 15. Weak Thought, Thought of the Weak 189 16. From Dialogue to Conflict 199 Notes 211 Index 225 Drawing on Nietzsche and Heidegger, Vattimo develops in this volume a philosophy to combat the newest enemy of freedom and democracy: complacency toward reality. It is no accident, Vattimo argues, that the call to embrace reality has emerged at a time when the inequalities of liberal capitalism are at their most extreme. Truth is therefore never objective, and resistance to reality becomes our best hope for countering the ongoing indifference to our fate A defense of the critical faculties that keep us from settling for the status quo. Drawing on Nietzsche and Heidegger, Vattimo develops a philosophy to combat the newest enemy of freedom and democracy: complacency toward reality. Resistance to reality becomes our best hope for countering the ongoing indifference to our fate.