Edinburgh University Press Philosophy Outside-in: A Critique of Academic Reason

This is a sustained critique of present-day academic philosophy combined with a practical agenda for change. Christopher Norris raises some basic questions about the way that analytic philosophy has been conducted over the past 25 years. In doing so, he offers an alternative to what he sees as an over-specialisation of a lot of recent academic work. Arguing that analytic philosophy has led to a narrowing of sights to the point where other approaches that might be more productive are blocked from view, he goes against the grain to claim that Continental philosophy holds the resources for a creative renewal of analytic thought. It draws on a wide range of examples to shine light on one topic: philosophy's current condition and how we can move beyond it. It addresses issues of interest to students and teachers of philosophy in both the analytic and the Continental traditions: speculative realism, the 'extended mind' hypothesis, experimental philosophy, the ontology of political song, linguistic philosophy, anti-realism and epistemological scepticism. It interrogates the analytical zeitgeist through a vigorous critique of the prevailing modes of thought. From the Inside Flap These engaging essays discuss topics ranging from anti-realism to the extended mind hypothesis and the ontology of political song. They use analytic as well as continental philosophers to provide a compelling demonstration, performative as well as logical, that the boundaries of academic specialization are an obstacle to creative philosophical thought.Paul Patton, University of New South WalesA sustained critique of present-day academic philosophy combined with a practical agenda for changeChristopher Norris raises some basic questions about the way that academic philosophy has been conducted over the past quarter-century and, in doing so, offers a strong counter-statement to the overly specialised character of much recent work in the analytic mainstream. Topics addressed include speculative realism, the extended mind hypothesis, experimental philosophy, the ontology of political song, Shakespearean language as a challenge to the norms of linguistic philosophy, and anti-realism as a (purported) antidote to epistemological scepticism. In many cases Norris shows how the acceptance of prevailing academic codes of discourse has resulted in a narrowing of sights to the point where other, more expansive or philosophically productive approaches are blocked from view.As well as mounting this critique of local practice Norris also puts the positive case that continental philosophy, or certain developments under that broad rubric, may be seen to hold the most promising resources for a creative renewal of analytic thought.Christopher Norris is Distinguished Research Professor in Philosophy at Cardiff University. He is the author of more than thirty books on aspects of philosophy, literature, critical theory and the history of ideas.Cover image: Outside-In © Shelley Campbell, 2013.Cover design:[EUP logo] www.euppublishing.com From the Back Cover 'These engaging essays discuss topics ranging from anti-realism to the extended mind hypothesis and the ontology of political song. They use analytic as well as continental philosophers to provide a compelling demonstration, performative as well as logical, that the boundaries of academic specialization are an obstacle to creative philosophical thought.' Paul Patton, University of New South Wales A sustained critique of present-day academic philosophy combined with a practical agenda for change Christopher Norris raises some basic questions about the way that academic philosophy has been conducted over the past quarter-century and, in doing so, offers a strong counter-statement to the overly specialised character of much recent work in the analytic mainstream. Topics addressed include speculative realism, the 'extended mind' hypothesis, experimental philosophy, the ontology of