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Freedom and the Self: Essays on the Philosophy of David Foster Wallace
The book Fate, Time, and An Essay on Free Will , published in 2010 by Columbia University Press, presented David Foster Wallace's challenge to Richard Taylor's argument for fatalism. In this anthology, notable philosophers engage directly with that work and assess Wallace's reply to Taylor as well as other aspects of Wallace's thought.
With an introduction by Steven M. Cahn and Maureen Eckert, this collection includes essays by William Hasker (Huntington University), Gila Sher (University of California, San Diego), Marcello Oreste Fiocco (University of California, Irvine), Daniel R. Kelly (Purdue University), Nathan Ballantyne (Fordham University), Justin Tosi (University of Arizona), and Maureen Eckert. These thinkers explore Wallace's philosophical and literary work, illustrating remarkable ways in which his philosophical views influenced and were influenced by themes developed in his other writings, both fictional and nonfictional. Together with Fate, Time, and Language , this critical set unlocks key components of Wallace's work and its traces in modern literature and thought.
With an introduction by Steven M. Cahn and Maureen Eckert, this collection includes essays by William Hasker (Huntington University), Gila Sher (University of California, San Diego), Marcello Oreste Fiocco (University of California, Irvine), Daniel R. Kelly (Purdue University), Nathan Ballantyne (Fordham University), Justin Tosi (University of Arizona), and Maureen Eckert. These thinkers explore Wallace's philosophical and literary work, illustrating remarkable ways in which his philosophical views influenced and were influenced by themes developed in his other writings, both fictional and nonfictional. Together with Fate, Time, and Language , this critical set unlocks key components of Wallace's work and its traces in modern literature and thought.
- GenresPhilosophy
192 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2015
About the author
Steven M. Cahn
96 books24 followersSteven M. Cahn, Ph.D. (Philosophy, Columbia University, 1966; A.B., Columbia College, 1963), teaches academic ethics, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of education at the Graduate Center and has published widely in the field of philosophy and education.
Cahn joined the Graduate Center as professor of philosophy and dean of graduate studies in 1983. He was named provost and vice president for academic affairs in 1984, remaining in that position until 1992. He previously taught at Dartmouth College, Vassar College, the University of Rochester, New York University, and the University of Vermont, where from 1973 to 1980 he headed the department of philosophy. He held executive positions with the Exxon Education Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and he is longtime president of the John Dewey Foundation.
Cahn joined the Graduate Center as professor of philosophy and dean of graduate studies in 1983. He was named provost and vice president for academic affairs in 1984, remaining in that position until 1992. He previously taught at Dartmouth College, Vassar College, the University of Rochester, New York University, and the University of Vermont, where from 1973 to 1980 he headed the department of philosophy. He held executive positions with the Exxon Education Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and he is longtime president of the John Dewey Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 22, 2021
Five stars for what it is in it's genre.
Nothing mindblowing. Unexpectedly dense. However, the book does a succinct job explaining Wallace's stance in light of Taylor's and others. And goes about it methodically.
If you are into philosophical literature on topics such as fatalism vs predeterminism and free choice, then this will be the book for you. Otherwise, being merely a Wallace fanboy might not suffice for a pleasurable experience (though doing things only for the sake of pleasure is something Wallace will point out in this book as something pertaining to a hedonistic lifestyle and ultimately not the fulfilling life).
Nothing mindblowing. Unexpectedly dense. However, the book does a succinct job explaining Wallace's stance in light of Taylor's and others. And goes about it methodically.
If you are into philosophical literature on topics such as fatalism vs predeterminism and free choice, then this will be the book for you. Otherwise, being merely a Wallace fanboy might not suffice for a pleasurable experience (though doing things only for the sake of pleasure is something Wallace will point out in this book as something pertaining to a hedonistic lifestyle and ultimately not the fulfilling life).
January 12, 2023
this book is basically an orgy
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews