Passion, Death, and Spirituality - The Philosophy of Robert C. Solomon

Robert C. Solomon, who died in 2007, was Professor of Philosophy and Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Business at the University of Texas, USA. As the first book comprehensively to examine the breadth of Solomon's contribution to philosophy, this volume ranks as a vital addition to the literature. It includes a newly published transcript of Solomon's last talk, which responded to Arindam Chakrabarti on the concept of revenge, as well as the considered views of prominent figures in the numerous subfields in which Solomon worked. The content analyses his perspectives on the philosophy of emotion, virtue, business ethics, and religion, in addition to philosophical history, existentialism, and the many other topics that held this prolific thinker's attention.

Solomon memorably defined philosophy itself as 'the thoughtful love of life', and despite the diversity of his output, he was most drawn by central questions about the meaning of life, the essential role that emotions play in finding that meaning, and the human imperative to seek 'emotional integrity', in which one's thoughts, emotions, and actions all contribute to a coherent narrative. The essays included here draw attention to the interconnections between the issues Solomon addressed, and evince the manner in which he embodied that integrity, living a life at one with his philosophy. They emphasize the central themes of passion, ethics, and spirituality, which threaded through his work, and the way these ideas informed his views on how we should approach grief and death. The multiplicity of topics alone make this keystone work an enlightening read for a full spectrum of students of philosophy, providing much to ponder and recounting a subtle and shining example of the emotional integrity Solomon worked so hard to define.

List of contents

Introduction, Kathleen M. Higgins.- EMOTIONS.- "Sensational Judgmentalism: Reconciling Solomon and James," Jesse Prinz.- "Biology and Existentialism," Ronald de Sousa.- "Between Existentialism and the Human Sciences: Solomon's Cognitive Theory of the Emotions," David Sherman.- "A Critique of Pure Revenge," Arindam Chakrabarti.- "Chakrabarti's 'A Critique of Pure Revenge': A Response," Robert C. Solomon.- "Sentimentality in Life and Literature," Jenefer Robinson.- ETHICS.- "Robert Solomon's Contribution to Business Ethics: Emotional Agency," Pat Werhane and David Bevan.- "Virtues, Concepts, and Rules in Business Ethics: Reflections on the Contributions of Robert C. Solomon," Robert Audi.- "Robert Solomon's Aristotelian Nietzsche," Christine Swanton.- "Bob Solomon and the Ethics of Grief and Gratitude: Toward a Politics of Love," Kelly Oliver.- COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY.- "Grief and the Mnemonics of Places: A Thank You Note," Janet McCracken.- "Of Grief and Mourning: Thinking a Feeling, Back to Robert Solomon," Purushottama Bilimoria.- "The Lost Art of Sadness," Padmasiri de Silva.- "Solomonic Justice, Rights, and Truth and Reconciliation Commissions: A Confucian Meditation," Henry Rosemont.- SPIRIT AND SPIRITUALITY.- "In the Spirit of Solomon," Shari Neller Starrett.- "Spirit: A Plea for Geist," Richard Schacht.- "Daring To Be Grateful: Robert C. Solomon on Gratitude in the Face of Fanaticism," Markus Weidler.- "Solomon on Spirituality," John Bishop.- "Bob on Meaning in Life and Death," Kathleen M. Higgins.- Robert C. Solomon Bibliography.- Contributors.- Acknowledgements.

About the author

Kathleen M. Higgins, geboren 1954 in St. Petersburg/Florida, ist Professorin für Philosophie an der University of Texas in Austin. Zusammen mit Robert C. Solomon hat sie sieben Bücher geschrieben, darunter "Eine kurze Geschichte der Philosophie" (2000).

David Sherman is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Montana at Missoula.

Summary

Robert C. Solomon, who died in 2007, was Professor of Philosophy and Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Business at the University of Texas, USA. As the first book comprehensively to examine the breadth of Solomon’s contribution to philosophy, this volume ranks as a vital addition to the literature. It includes a newly published transcript of Solomon’s last talk, which responded to Arindam Chakrabarti on the concept of revenge, as well as the considered views of prominent figures in the numerous subfields in which Solomon worked. The content analyses his perspectives on the philosophy of emotion, virtue, business ethics, and religion, in addition to philosophical history, existentialism, and the many other topics that held this prolific thinker’s attention.  
 
Solomon memorably defined philosophy itself as ‘the thoughtful love of life’,  and despite the diversity of his output, he was most drawn by central questions about the meaning of life,  the essential role that emotions play in finding that meaning, and the human imperative to seek ‘emotional integrity’,  in which one’s thoughts, emotions, and actions all contribute to a coherent narrative. The essays included here draw attention to the interconnections between the issues Solomon addressed, and evince the manner in which he embodied that integrity, living a life at one with his philosophy. They emphasize the central themes of passion, ethics, and spirituality, which threaded through his work, and the way these ideas informed his views on how we should approach grief and death. The multiplicity of topics alone make this keystone work an enlightening read for a full spectrum of students of philosophy, providing much to ponder and recounting a subtle and shining example of the emotional integrity Solomon worked so hard to define.

Product details

• Assisted by: Kathlee Higgins (Editor), Kathleen Higgins (Editor), Kathleen M. Higgins (Editor), Sherman (Editor), Sherman (Editor), David Sherman (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.06.2012
• EAN: 9789400746497
• ISBN: 978-94-0-074649-7
• No. of pages: 300
• Dimensions: 159 mm x 313 mm x 22 mm
• Weight: 664 g
• Illustrations: XVI, 300 p.
• Series: Sophia Studies in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Traditions and Cultures; Sophia Studies in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Traditions and Cultures
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > Miscellaneous; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Miscellaneous