- Hardcover: 448 pages
- Publisher: W&N (16 April 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0297856766
- ISBN-13: 978-0297856764
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.5 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 383,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"If there is any such person in Britain today as The Thinking Man, it is AC Grayling, Professor of Philosophy at Birkbeck. He provides generous help for the ethically challenged, the philosophically perplexed and the culturally confused. There are any number of ideas in the modern world; they are like trees in a forest... Clearly and succinctly, without jargon or condescension, Grayling takes on the intellectual world and names its parts. He does us great service with this useful handbook." (IAIN FINLAYSON THE TIMES - 09.05.09 )
"Anthony Grayling, philosopher, has constructed a personal dictionary... inspirational... casually brilliant... a series of brilliant, informative essays... provocative, forceful and informative." (SUNDAY HERALD - 03.05.09 )
"Anthony Grayling, philosopher, has constructed a personal dictionary... inspirational... casually brilliant... a series of brilliant, informative essays... provocative, forceful and informative." (SUNDAY HERALD - 03.05.09 )
Book Description
Leading philosopher's guide to the ideas that will shape the 21st century.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A.C. Grayling is an unfailingly compelling writer. Reasonable, clear, concise, elegant are only a few of the words that can be justly used to describe his writing and thought. This book is no exception. A collection of short, pithy, and always enlightening reflections on, as the title puts it, ideas that matter, organised so as to help the reader pursue particular interests in depth, Ideas that Matter: A Personal Guide for the 21st Century, is an invaluable source book for understanding the jumble of claims and counter-claims that swirl around us everyday.
The ideas are arranged in alphabetical order, and each entry refers to further entries that lead the reader more deeply into associated ideas. At the end of the book an appendix groups the various entries under general headings such as religion, science, politics and society, etc. For those who wish to pursue ideas at even greater depth Grayling provides an 'indicative' bibliography, pointing the reader to further sources of information on the ideas concerned, which, in turn, no doubt, will lead to futher reading and depth of understanding.
Grayling is not impartial, if by impartial be meant a desire not to offend religious believers by calling religious beliefs into question. He is, however, courteous in his dissent, no matter how strongly expressed; but, more importantly, he gives reasons for believing as he does, and rightly chides religion for its continuing failure to provide reasons why we should take religions as seriously as they take themselves. Grayling repudiates, with some justice, the title 'atheist' - this being a term of abuse used by the religious to describe those who do not believe - preferring more positive ways of describing his point of view, such as 'humanist' and 'naturalist'.
The ideas are arranged in alphabetical order, and each entry refers to further entries that lead the reader more deeply into associated ideas. At the end of the book an appendix groups the various entries under general headings such as religion, science, politics and society, etc. For those who wish to pursue ideas at even greater depth Grayling provides an 'indicative' bibliography, pointing the reader to further sources of information on the ideas concerned, which, in turn, no doubt, will lead to futher reading and depth of understanding.
Grayling is not impartial, if by impartial be meant a desire not to offend religious believers by calling religious beliefs into question. He is, however, courteous in his dissent, no matter how strongly expressed; but, more importantly, he gives reasons for believing as he does, and rightly chides religion for its continuing failure to provide reasons why we should take religions as seriously as they take themselves. Grayling repudiates, with some justice, the title 'atheist' - this being a term of abuse used by the religious to describe those who do not believe - preferring more positive ways of describing his point of view, such as 'humanist' and 'naturalist'.
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Prior to reading this book I was quite out of my depth in any discussion about current affairs - either squirming with boredom or inflamed by the media, generally baffled, uneasy, uninformed and incapable of sharing an opinion.
Ideas That Matter has changed that.
This book provides a solid framework for thinking about the diversity of political, economic, social and religious ideas. It is structured to be easy to dip into. Each section is written in a clear, logical style with plenty of facts and humour. The writer transforms the ghastly chore of Thinking into an engaging and interesting occupation. Grayling's writing is inspiring and should prove capable of launching any reasonably intelligent person into their own explorations and investigations.
In my opinion Professor Grayling is a fine teacher.
Ideas That Matter has changed that.
This book provides a solid framework for thinking about the diversity of political, economic, social and religious ideas. It is structured to be easy to dip into. Each section is written in a clear, logical style with plenty of facts and humour. The writer transforms the ghastly chore of Thinking into an engaging and interesting occupation. Grayling's writing is inspiring and should prove capable of launching any reasonably intelligent person into their own explorations and investigations.
In my opinion Professor Grayling is a fine teacher.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The book considers a broad range of issues that are pertinent to modern life. A 'further reading' section, where reference is made to other works and viewpoints, is included. I think that the author's intention was to encourage the reader to consider all the evidence before deciding whether what one is told has any truth or validity. This is particularly relevant in his references to the State and Religion. I liked the book. It largely confirmed my own beliefs and has encouraged me to examine this area of knowledge more closely.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A warning
As others have said, this is a nice collection of concepts, most of which, however, couldn't be classified "21st century". Rather, an encyclopedia of concepts, old and new. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Sava Dan Cristian Stefan
Grayling's Personal Guide
Asked to suggest a list for a guide to ideas of the twenty-first century, AC Grayling would always be on the shortlist, very near to the top. Read more
Published 9 months ago by RR Waller
Good Read even if it is twisted and bent.
I am enjoying the read, but the book was damaged in the delivery and it is surprisingly off putting. Never was a better reason to get a Kindle.
Published 11 months ago by Sweetboy
Wonderful Dictionary of Ideas
A wonderful book to dip into for new ideas and ideas you have heard about and would like to know a little more. Read more
Published 11 months ago by 10th_planet
Handy Volume
For potted explanations of various human ways of thinking and behaving this is a useful book. Recommended reading for the bathroom as each entry is quite short, but engaging.
Published 12 months ago by Rasselas
Succinct, sharp, intelligent and worldly wise
Grayling has made an effort here to distinguish between ideas that were once formative such as free will, determinism and perhaps angels dancing on a pin (which he has left out),... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Dennis Littrell
very entertaining and erudite review
This is a splendid summary of some of the most important issues of our time. It will, predictably, be unattractive to the religiously inclined as it is dismissive of all... Read more
Published 22 months ago by d griffiths
Not truly a review but.....
This excerpt from the author's website would tend to imply there may be a slight political bias to his opinions - after all the Guardian, Observer and New Statesman are hardly... Read more
Published on 27 April 2009 by M. Aggleton
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