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The Logical Alien

Conant and His Critics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Logical Alien explores a hypothetical scenario questioning our foundational assumptions about logic through the concept of an alien form of life. The book examines if beings who think and reason differently from humans can still be logical, challenging the boundaries of philosophical reasoning and understanding. It provides a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be logical, tying into the complexities of human cognition and psychology.
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Format: Hardback
$13399
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're intrigued by the possibility of thinking beyond ordinary human logic and exploring alternative forms of rationality. It examines whether different kinds of logic could exist and challenges traditional philosophical boundaries, making it a fascinating read for anyone interested in the intersections of mind and reasoning. It delves into the philosophical and psychological implications of this concept, offering a unique perspective on rationality.

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Is our logical form of thought merely one among many, or must it be the form of thought as such? From Kant to Wittgenstein, philosophers have wrestled with variants of this question. This volume brings together nine distinguished thinkers on the subject, including James Conant, author of the seminal paper “The Search for Logically Alien Thought.”

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

"A remarkable book capable of reshaping what one takes philosophy to be." - Cora Diamond, Kenan Professor of Philosophy Emerita, University of Virginia

Could there be a logical alien—a being whose ways of talking, inferring, and contradicting exhibit an entirely different logical shape than ours, yet who nonetheless is thinking? Could someone, contrary to the most basic rules of logic, think that two contradictory statements are both true at the same time?

Such questions may seem outlandish, but they serve to highlight a fundamental philosophical question: is our logical form of thought merely one among many, or must it be the form of thought as such?

From Descartes and Kant to Frege and Wittgenstein, philosophers have wrestled with variants of this question and with a range of competing answers. A seminal 1991 paper, James Conant's "The Search for Logically Alien Thought," placed that question at the forefront of contemporary philosophical inquiry. The Logical Alien, edited by Sofia Miguens, gathers Conant's original article with reflections on it by eight distinguished philosophers—Jocelyn Benoist, Matthew Boyle, Martin Gustafsson, Arata Hamawaki, Adrian Moore, Barry Stroud, Peter Sullivan, and Charles Travis.

Conant follows with a wide-ranging response that places the philosophical discussion in historical context, critiques his original paper, addresses the exegetical and systematic issues raised by others, and presents an alternative account.

The Logical Alien challenges contemporary conceptions of how logical and philosophical form must each relate to their content. This monumental volume offers the possibility of a new direction in philosophy.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Logical Alien is praised for being a groundbreaking and innovative work in philosophical methodology, offering a remarkable exploration of the history of logic from Descartes to Wittgenstein. Reviewers highlight the lively dialogues provoked by the essays in Part I and James Conant’s insightful replies in Part II, which demonstrate the complexity and depth of philosophical inquiry. The book stands out for its ability to reshape readers' understanding of philosophy, engaging them in a rich process of self-reflection and philosophical activity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780674335905

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 11 February 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: Harvard University Press

Contributors:

  • Edited by Sofia Miguens
  • Contributions by James Conant
  • Contributions by Jocelyn Benoist
  • Contributions by Matthew Boyle
  • Contributions by Martin Gustafsson
  • Contributions by Arata Hamawaki
  • Contributions by Adrian Moore
  • Contributions by Prof. Barry Stroud
  • Contributions by Peter Sullivan

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 64.0mm

Width: 162.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 1694g

Pages: 1080

Collections

Education & Reference Non-Fiction Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism

About the Author

Sofia Miguens is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Porto, where she leads the Mind, Language, and Action group at the Institute of Philosophy. She is the author of seven books and former president of the Portuguese Philosophical Association. James Conant is Chester D. Tripp Professor of Humanities at the University of Chicago. Jocelyn Benoist is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and author of Concepts, Les limites de l’intentionalité (The Bounds of Intentionality), and Le bruit du sensible (The Noise of Sensible Things). He is a recipient of the Gay-Lussac Humboldt Prize. Matthew Boyle is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Chicago. Charles Travis is Professor Emeritus at King’s College London and Professor Afiliado at the Universidade do Porto.

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