Bay Books

A little bookstore with a whole lot of literature. We're here to support your reading needs.

  • Home
  • About Bay Books
    • About Us
    • Staff Picks
  • Book Club
    • ‘Books and Wine’
  • Book Discussion
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Ebooks
    • Audio Books
    • Gift Card
    • Bay Books Book Boxes
    • Gifts and Merch
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Cart

March 2, 2021 by

A Theory of Jerks and Other Philosophical Misadventures

A Theory of Jerks and Other Philosophical Misadventures

$27.95

Category: Bookseller's Rainbow Reading Challenge
  • Description

Description

A Theory of Jerks and Other Philosophical Misadventures by Eric Schwitzgebel

A collection of quirky, entertaining, and reader-friendly short pieces on philosophical topics that range from a theory of jerks to the ethics of ethicists.

Have you ever wondered about why some people are jerks? Asked whether your driverless car should kill you so that others may live? Found a robot adorable? Considered the ethics of professional ethicists? Reflected on the philosophy of hair? In this engaging, entertaining, and enlightening book, Eric Schwitzgebel turns a philosopher’s eye on these and other burning questions. In a series of quirky and accessible short pieces that cover a mind-boggling variety of philosophical topics, Schwitzgebel offers incisive takes on matters both small (the consciousness of garden snails) and large (time, space, and causation).

A common theme might be the ragged edge of the human intellect, where moral or philosophical reflection begins to turn against itself, lost among doubts and improbable conclusions. The history of philosophy is humbling when we see how badly wrong previous thinkers have been, despite their intellectual skills and confidence. (See, for example, “Kant on Killing Bastards, Masturbation, Organ Donation, Homosexuality, Tyrants, Wives, and Servants.”) Some of the texts resist thematic categorization–thoughts on the philosophical implications of dreidels, the diminishing offensiveness of the most profane profanity, and fatherly optimism–but are no less interesting.

Schwitzgebel has selected these pieces from the more than one thousand that have appeared since 2006 in various publications and on his popular blog, The Splintered Mind, revising and updating them for this book. Philosophy has never been this much fun.

Related products

  • Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

    Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

    $17.00
    Add to cart
  • The Grammarians

    The Grammarians

    $17.00
    Add to cart
  • Aristotle's Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life

    Aristotle’s Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life

    $17.00
    Add to cart
  • Old Filth

    Old Filth

    $17.00
    Add to cart
❮❮ Previous Post
Next Post ❯ ❯
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Phone

Bay Books offers a wider selection of both books and Ebooks through Book Shop. We are grateful for Book Shop’s diligent work to connect readers with independent booksellers.

Visit Book Shop through Bay Books. 

 

Stay in the Loop with our Newsletter

We promise not to spam you. We’ll only send you the important stuff.





Quote of the Month

Events

‘Books and Wine’

Our next book pick is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. This month’s book club is June 10th. Come join us and enjoy lively, spirited discussion! RSVP by sending us a message.

Author Event with Mashall Thorton | June 3 at 6:00 PM

Spring is blooming, and Bay Books is celebrating PRIDE month with a special literary evening featuring three-time Lambda Award–winning author Marshall Thornton. Whether you’re a longtime fan or exploring LGBTQ literature for the first time, this event invites you to engage, reflect, and connect.

Remain in Touch

Give a book to a special child. Bay Books is partnering with Remain in Touch. Learn more about Remain in Touch program.

Looking for something?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please reach out to us. We’ll be happy to find it for you or order it.

  • Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2022 BC Marketing Solutions · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BC Marketing Solutions