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Plato at the Googleplex

Why Philosophy Won't Go Away

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Atlantic Books

Published:6th Aug '15

Should be back in stock very soon

Plato at the Googleplex cover

What would the ancient Greek philosopher make of the twenty-first-century Google headquarters? A dazzling exploration of the role of ancient philosophy in modern life from the acclaimed writer and thinker.

What would the ancient Greek philosopher make of the twenty-first-century Google headquarters?

A dazzling exploration of the role of ancient philosophy in modern life from the acclaimed writer and thinker.

Imagine that Plato came to life in the twenty-first century and embarked on a multi-city speaking tour. How would he mediate a debate between a Freudian psychoanalyst and a 'tiger mum' on how to raise the perfect child? How would he handle the host of a right-wing news program who denies there can be morality without religion? What would Plato make of Google, and of the idea that knowledge can be crowdsourced rather than reasoned out by experts?

Plato at the Googleplex
is acclaimed thinker Rebecca Newberger Goldstein's dazzling investigation of these conundra. With a philosopher's depth and erudition and a novelist's imagination and wit, Goldstein probes the deepest issues confronting us by allowing us to eavesdrop on Plato as he takes on the modern world; it is a stunningly original plunge into the drama of philosophy, revealing its hidden role in today's debates on religion, morality, politics and science.

This could be one of the best ever demonstrations of the value and utility of philosophy. Richly insightful, beautifully written, it is at once introduction, exploration, and application, revealing the fascination and significance of philosophical ideas and their relevance to life. Like the Plato who figures largely here, Goldstein has both literary and philosophical gifts of the highest order: the combination is superb. -- A.C. Grayling * author of The God Argument *
Felicitously written, impressively researched, insightful, important, entertaining, independent-minded and glowing with intelligence... Plato is brought marvellously to life and relevance in these passionate pages. -- Colin McGinn * Wall Street Journal *
A wonderful book - enjoyably readable, full of stimulating insights and refreshing observations, unintimidatingly erudite, and salted with a gentle wit. -- Harry Frankfurt * author of On Bullshit *
An important and amazing book. Goldstein beautifully combines the skills of a distinguished novelist with breathtaking philosophical scholarship. -- Hilary Putnam, John Cogan University Professor of the Humanities Emeritus, Harvard University
Long awaited... Rebecca Goldstein manages to be so funny and right -- Stephen Fry

ISBN: 9781782395591

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 34mm

Weight: 410g

480 pages

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