The Imbecile's Guide to Public Philosophy

The book explores the role of serious philosophizing in everyday life and how authoritarianism negates philosophical and public reason. It argues that philosophy can manifest itself via radical discursive practices in public life to understand and resolve contemporary socio-political challenges. It discusses how philosophy can revive democracy to confront global authoritarianism and provides new perspectives on civic freedom, hegemony of language, social justice, identity, and decolonization.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the profound significance of serious philosophizing in everyday life and explores the detrimental effects of authoritarianism on philosophical and public reasoning. It sheds light on how philosophy can transcend its traditional confines within academia and manifest itself through radical discursive practices in public life, enabling us to understand and address contemporary socio-political challenges. The book examines philosophy as a discipline that deals with one's orientations based on experience, the logic of reasoning, critical thinking, and most importantly, radical and progressive beliefs.

The book argues that the contemporary rise of capitalism in modern society, as echoed by Émile Durkheim's warnings about anomie, has fostered individualism, differentiation, marginalization, and exploitation, all balanced on an eroding collective consciousness and a steady disintegration of humanity and reason. Taking this into account, it discusses how philosophy, both mainstream and marginal, can revive democracy in society, enabling it to confront the global authoritarianism led by the figure of the imbecile.

Furthermore, the book offers a range of fresh perspectives on critical issues such as civic freedom, hegemony of language, social justice, identity, invisible paradigms, gender justice, democracy, multiculturalism, and decolonization. This book is a stimulating compilation of essays from diverse disciplines, emphasizing the urgent need to establish a humanistic public philosophy to transcend the state of imbecility. It will captivate students, scholars, researchers in philosophy, contemporary politics, history, and sociology, as well as general readers with an interest in these profound topics.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032075402