Failures of Philosophy: A Historical Essay

The Failures of Philosophy is the first book to address the historical failures of philosophy and what we can learn from them. It explores how philosophy has collapsed, been abandoned, and been replaced by something different, and how these failures reveal more about philosophical inquiry and its ultimate point than its successes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2020
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The Failures of Philosophy is a groundbreaking book that delves into the historical shortcomings of philosophy and offers valuable insights into what we can learn from these failures. While philosophers often focus on the failures of specific theories and seek to rectify them with new ones, it is essential to recognize that philosophy has experienced multiple collapses, been abandoned for centuries, and been replaced by entirely different approaches. Taking a long-view perspective, it becomes evident that philosophy has undergone significant transformations throughout its history.

In its revival attempts, philosophy has often sought to maintain continuity with its perennial tradition, leading to implausible claims of continuity. However, these failures provide us with valuable insights into the nature of philosophical inquiry and its ultimate objectives.

The book explores four significant failures of philosophy: attempts to provide an account of the good life, establish philosophy as a discipline that can judge other forms of thought, set up philosophy as a theory of everything, and construe philosophy as a discipline that rationalizes the empirical and mathematical sciences. Author Stephen Gaukroger argues that these failures reveal more about philosophical inquiry and its ultimate point than any successes could.

Through a detailed examination of these failures, The Failures of Philosophy sheds light on the historical development of philosophical ideas and the reasons behind their conception and reconception. It explores how philosophical inquiry has been shaped by various philosophical traditions, the assumptions underlying different philosophical approaches, and the limitations of each. The book also delves into the reasons why philosophy has been thought to bring distinctive skills to certain questions, such as the nature of knowledge, reality, and morality.

One of the key insights of The Failures of Philosophy is that these failures paradoxically reveal what matters most about philosophy. They illustrate the inherent limitations of human understanding and the complexities of philosophical inquiry. They remind us that philosophy is not a fixed discipline with universal answers but a dynamic and evolving field of study that responds to changing circumstances and new challenges.

The book also offers practical implications for contemporary philosophy. By recognizing the historical failures of philosophy, we can avoid making the same mistakes and develop more robust and nuanced philosophical theories. It encourages us to be more critical of our own beliefs and assumptions and to engage in open and rigorous dialogue with other thinkers.

In conclusion, The Failures of Philosophy is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, history, or the broader field of intellectual inquiry. It provides a comprehensive and insightful account of the historical shortcomings of philosophy and offers valuable insights into what we can learn from these failures. By embracing the lessons learned from history, we can continue to advance the field of philosophy and contribute to the betterment of human understanding.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 152 x 225 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691207506