Simon Blackburn

Our self-image as moral, well-behaved creatures is dogged by scepticism, relativism, hypocrisy, and nihilism, by the fear that in a Godless world science has unmasked us as creatures fated by our genes to be selfish and tribalistic, or competitive and aggressive. In this 'sparklingly clear' (Guardian) introduction to ethics Simon Blackburn tackles the major moral questions surrounding birth, death, happiness, desire and freedom, showing us how we should think about the meaning of life, and how we should mistrust the soundbite-sized absolutes that often dominate moral debates. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This bestselling dictionary is written by one of the leading philosophers of our time, and it is widely recognized as the best dictionary of its kind. Comprehensive and authoritative, it covers every aspect of philosophy from Aristotle to Zen. With clear and concise definitions, it provides lively and accessible coverage of not only Western philosophical traditions, but also themes from Chinese, Indian, Islamic, and Jewishphilosophy. Entries include over 400 biographies of famous and influential philosophers, in-depth analysis of philosophical terms and concepts, and a chronology of philosophical events stretching from 10,000 BC to the present day. New entries on philosophy of economics, social theory, neuroscience, philosophy of the mind, and moral conceptions bring the third edition of this dictionary fully up to date. Fully cross-referenced and containing over 3,300 alphabetical entries, it is the ideal introduction to philosophy for anyone with an interest in the subject, and it is an indispensable work of reference for students and teachers.

"Ο Simon Blackburn έγραψε ένα σοφό και απολαυστικό βιβλίο με θέμα τη λαγνεία, ίσως το πιο σκανδαλώδες αλλά και θελκτικό από τα "επτά θανάσιμα αμαρτήματα". Οι πλούσιες αλλά πάντα ακριβείς αναφορές του συγγραφέα στους αρχαίους κλασικούς, και όχι μόνο, προσδίδουν στη μελέτη αυτή εγκυρότητα και την καθιστούν εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρουσα και προκλητική". (Robert C. Solomon, συγγραφέας των έργων "Τhe Passions", "About Love", "The Joy of Philosophy") "Ο συγγραφέας μας χαρίζει μια γοητευτική εκδοχή της λαγνείας σ' ένα πυκνό και ευφυές κείμενο. Αποδομώντας τα κοινωνικά στερεότυπα, τις προκαταλήψεις και τα ψεύδη που σχετίζονται με τον σεξουαλικό πόθο, ο γνωστός φιλόσοφος Simon Blackburn υμνεί το "θανάσιμο αμάρτημα" ως την άλλη όψη της ορμής για ζωή. Η "λαγνεία" αποτελεί ένα ασυνήθιστα ερεθιστικό βιβλίο". (Louise M. Antony, καθηγήτρια φιλοσοφίας στο πανεπιστήμιο του Οχάιο) "