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Charles Taylor is one of the most influential and prolific philosophers in the English-speaking world. This work introduces Taylor's work, outlining his ideas. It examines his contribution to many of the enduring debates within Western philosophy, and assesses the arguments of his critics.
List of contents
Introduction; Chapter 1 Explaining morality; Chapter 2 Interpreting selfhood; Chapter 3 Theorizing politics; Chapter 4 Understanding knowledge; Chapter 5 Conclusion: sources of secularity;
About the author
Ruth Abbey is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, USA.
Summary
Charles Taylor is one of the most influential and prolific philosophers in the English-speaking world today. The breadth of his writings is unique, ranging from reflections on artificial intelligence to analyses of contemporary multicultural societies.
This thought-provoking introduction to Taylor's work outlines his ideas in a coherent and accessible way without reducing their richness and depth. His contribution to many of the enduring debates within Western philosophy is examined and the arguments of his critics assessed. Taylor's reflections on the topics of moral theory, selfhood, political theory and epistemology form the core chapters within the book.
Ruth Abbey engages with the secondary literature on Taylor's work and suggests that some criticisms by contemporaries have been based on misinterpretations and suggests ways in which a better understanding of Taylor's work leads to different criticisms of it. The book serves as an ideal companion to Taylor's ideas for students of philosophy and political theory, and will be welcomed by the non-specialist looking for an authoritative guide to Taylor's large and challenging body of work.
Additional text
"A clear, reliable and up-to-date introduction to Charles Taylor's philosophy." - Radical Philosophy
"A good overview of Taylor's broad body of work and accessible to the non-specialist - a valuable contribution to Taylor scholarship." - Thesis Eleven
"A lucid, informative, generous introduction to the thought of Charles Taylor. It will stand on its own as a contribution to advancing Taylor's complex and important work." - Jean Bethke Elshtain, University of Chicago, USA
