In 'The Making of a Philosopher,' Colin McGinn invites readers into his personal journey through the world of philosophical thought. From his youthful fascination with the mysteries of existence to his emergence as a preeminent thinker, McGinn reveals the transformative power of philosophy. He paints vivid portraits of influential figures and critical moments that shaped his intellectual landscape. With candid reflections, he explores the intersection of life experiences and philosophical inquiry. This memoir not only traces his path but also challenges readers to contemplate their own philosophical adventures.
By Colin McGinn
Published: 2002
"The essence of philosophy lies not in the answers it provides, but in the questions it provocatively raises, leading us on an endless journey of inquiry and reflection."
To many people, the activity called 'philosophy' sounds abstract, rarefied, worthy. But it was never that to Colin McGinn, growing up in Gillingham and Blackpool: it was just part of trying to work out what was going on. Now a distinguished professor of philosophy and the author of a number of scholarly works, McGinn has written a genuinely popular introduction to philosophy. The result is part memoir, part explanation of philosophy 'as part of a flesh and blood human life' - the self-portrait of an inquiring mind, engaged by the radicalism of both rock 'n' roll and Bertrand Russell, which took McGinn from a mining family in West Hartlepool to Rutgers Professor of Philosophy in New York. It contains wonderful sketches of the great figures of twentieth-century philosophy and their ideas - Sartre, Wittgenstein, Chomsky - and the teachers who formed his own ideas and often became friends, like the colourful Oxford don A.J. Ayer. Equally at home discussing The Matrix and metaphysics, THE MAKING OF A PHILOSOPHER shows us the mind of a brilliant thinker in action, putting the activity of asking questions naturally at the centre of human activity.
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“The essence of philosophy lies not in the answers it provides, but in the questions it provocatively raises, leading us on an endless journey of inquiry and reflection.”
The Making of a Philosopher
By Colin McGinn
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Colin McGinn is a renowned British philosopher and author, known for his contributions to the philosophy of mind, philosophy of language, and metaphysics. He has published extensively in both academic and popular formats. Notable works include "The Mysterious Flame: Conscious Minds in a Material World," "Mind: A Brief Introduction," and the acclaimed series of essays on the intersection of philosophy and literature, including "Philosophical Fiction." McGinn's writing is characterized by its clarity, intellectual rigor, and an engaging style that invites readers to explore complex philosophical ideas. He is also recognized for his critiques of materialism in philosophy and for advocating a unique perspective on consciousness.
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