Philosophical Arguments

Charles Taylor is one of the most important English-language philosophers at work today; he is also unique in the philosophical community in applying his ideas on language and epistemology to social theory and political problems. In this book Taylor brings together some of his best essays, including "Overcoming Epistemology," "The Validity of Transcendental Argument," "Irreducibly Social Goods," and "The Politics of Recognition." As usual, his arguments are trenchant, straddling the length and breadth of contemporary philosophy and public discourse. The strongest theme running through the book is Taylor's critique of disengagement, instrumental reason, and atomism: that individual instances of knowledge, judgment, discourse, or action cannot be intelligible in abstraction from the outside world. By developing his arguments about the importance of "engaged agency," Taylor simultaneously addresses themes in philosophical debate and in a broader discourse of political theory and cultural studies. The thirteen essays in this collection reflect most of the concerns with which he has been involved throughout his career--language, ideas of the self, political participation, the nature of modernity. His intellectual range is extraordinary, as is his ability to clarify what is at stake in difficult philosophical disputes. Taylor's analyses of liberal democracy, welfare economics, and multiculturalism have real political significance, and his voice is distinctive and wise.

charles Taylor Is One Of The Most Important English-language Philosophers At Work Today; He Is Also Unique In The Philosophical Community In Applying His Ideas On Language And Epistemology To Social Theory And Political Problems. In This Book Taylor Brings Together Some Of His Best Essays, Including Overcoming Epistemology, The Validity Of Transcendental Argument, Irreducibly Social Goods, And The Politics Of Recognition. As Usual, His Arguments Are Trenchant, Straddling The Length And Breadth Of Contemporary Philosophy And Public Discourse.

the Strongest Theme Running Through The Book Is Taylor's Critique Of Disengagement, Instrumental Reason, And Atomism: That Individual Instances Of Knowledge, Judgment, Discourse, Or Action Cannot Be Intelligible In Abstraction From The Outside World. By Developing His Arguments About The Importance Of Engaged Agency, Taylor Simultaneously Addresses Themes In Philosophical Debate And In A Broader Discourse Of Political Theory And Cultural Studies. The Thirteen Essays In This Collection Reflect Most Of The Concerns With Which He Has Been Involved Throughout His Career—language, Ideas Of The Self, Political Participation, The Nature Of Modernity. His Intellectual Range Is Extraordinary, As Is His Ability To Clarify What Is At Stake In Difficult Philosophical Disputes. Taylor's Analyses Of Liberal Democracy, Welfare Economics, And Multiculturalism Have Real Political Significance, And His Voice Is Distinctive And Wise.

david Miller - Times Literary Supplement

among The Leading Philosophers Of Our Time, Charles Taylor Stands Out For The Sheer Breadth Of His Interests And Influence...illuminating And Rewarding.

Overcoming epistemology The validity of transcendental arguments Explanation and practical reason Lichtung or lebensform : parallels between Heidegger and Wittgenstein The importance of Herder Heidegger, language, and ecology Irreducibly social goods Comparison, history, truth To follow a rule Cross-purposes : the liberal-communitarian debate Invoking civil society The politics of recognition Liberal politics and the public sphere. The essays in this collection reflect most of Taylor’s career-spanning concerns—language, ideas of the self, political participation, the nature of modernity. Taylor articulates what is at stake in difficult philosophical disputes, offering analyses of liberal democracy, welfare economics, and multiculturalism with real political significance. This text brings together some of philosopher Charles Taylor's essays. The main theme is his critique of disengagement, instrumental reason and atomism: that individual instances of knowledge, judgement, discourse or action cannot be intelligible in abstraction from the outside world.