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The book also shows some fascination with the ontological proof for the existence of God articulated by the eleventh-century theologian St. Unfortunately, what attracts McGinn to Anselm's argument is not its subject matter but its structure; it is "just so damn clever. Competition in cleverness turns many a philosophical dispute into what McGinn calls "bloodsport.
McGinn only gives us occasional glimpses of philosophy as bloodsport. There's his fellow student and former friend at Oxford, Christopher Peacocke, whose philosophical work McGinn describes as "preposterously unclear" and from whom he parts after realizing that "professional rivalry was more important to him than friendship.
McGinn's reputation rises quickly after he wins the John Locke prize at Oxford, a prize Peacocke previously won. Years later, when the prestigious Wilde Reader in Mental Philosophy at Oxford becomes vacant, Peacocke is the best bet to fill it. But McGinn applies for the position anyway--despite the fact that he had fought several battles with Oxford. When asked to interview, he does so not because he has any interest in the position but only as a protest against "Oxford's notorious insularity," to show that "there are strong outside candidates. The self-purported purity of McGinn's motives adversely affects his narrative.
He seems either not to share or to be incapable of expressing the emotions, motivations, and passions that would draw readers into his story. What we miss is the complex, and often conflicting, set of loves and aspirations that constitutes the best biographical writing about poets, artists, and even philosophers.
Lacking a vision of philosophy as a personal quest, McGinn has written merely a conventional, academic memoir. Even with the low expectations of this genre, we need detailed stories of some sort, departmental politics, even entertaining gossip. But McGinn's characters are either all thought or all surface although there's a great description of Michael Dummett's "pasty" white face, which looks as if he'd been "dunked in a barrel of flour and then licked his lips". I am not sure McGinn intended the story of his chat with Aniston at a movie premiere to be funny, but it struck me that way.
When she asks, "Who's your favorite philosopher? Sensing that the conversation is not going well, McGinn blurts out, "Well, you are wonderful in 'Friends! I just wish she had known who Descartes was, that's all. It's not often that Hollywood meets analytical philosophy, and it would have been nice for it to have gone more swimmingly. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a student of literature and history B. This book, more memoir than philosophical text--as the title clearly indicates, in my opinion--really represents more toe dabbling, although perhaps with McGinn's attempts to clearly present some of his philosophical interests I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
This book, more memoir than philosophical text--as the title clearly indicates, in my opinion--really represents more toe dabbling, although perhaps with McGinn's attempts to clearly present some of his philosophical interests to the layperson it moves up the ladder a bit to wading in the kiddie pool. What makes the book a five star book for me is first off McGinn's clear, personable, conversational voice.
He strives to present a history of, essentially, his own mental life. Think about how hard that would be. How easy it would be for a book with such ambitions to become tedious navel-gazing. McGinn always manages to come across as a reasonably non-narcissistic individual of great intelligence, who is passionately excited about his interests and genuinely wants to share them with the reader in a spirit of kinship and good will.
I found the philosophy interesting, intelligible, intriguing, and most important, worthy of contemplation and engagement. Generally, when I've had people attempt to explain philosophy in the past it comes off as a maddeningly abstract series of questions that we can't possibly answer. The anxiousness of philosophers or students of philosophy in my past experience to deny our ability to know, to deny our ability to reach any kind of truth or positive knowledge has always come off as smug-pretentiousness.
I never felt that way in McGinn's hands. That's what makes it great. Sep 13, Manuel rated it really liked it. This is a delightful little book. Funny, engaging, and even inspiring. McGinn wrote this intellectual autobiography with laymen in mind, but I think those who would enjoy it most are philosophy students, simply because they would already know and admire the many philosophers McGinn has encountered throughout his life. Apart from the name-dropping, you get a brief tou This is a delightful little book.
Apart from the name-dropping, you get a brief tour through the many interesting subjects that McGinn has grappled with in his career and before, from the ontological argument to the nature of meaning and mind up to the limits of philosophy. While most among them I count myself may not agree with him on his purported solutions to the difficult questions e. Despite the author's current troubles of which I am no judge , it was definitely inspiring to know of his humble background and that he was not a born genius who arrived at the philosophy scene as a whiz kid.
Instead, the picture of a confused young man who struggled to catch up with the mainstream reminded me of me; and the subsequent story about how he quickly took off once he put in the effort has given me a model to emulate, one which is very down-to-earth, I think, and accessible to all. I recommend this book. Jan 03, Sherah rated it liked it Shelves: I bought it because I shared an almost identical worldview with him as outlined in his conversation with Miller; I wanted to explore his ideas further, and this was certainly a way to do that.
Though this book was peppered with some seriously cheesy lines about Bertrand Russell: McGinn is interested in most of the same areas of philosophy and science as I am: I found myself thirsty for a deeper connection with the ideas he discussed and look forward to reading more of his work, such as "Moral Literacy" and "Consciousness and its Objects. This could simply mean that I wanted to know TMI about the author, in which case I am creepy and should be monitored.
Wery well writen and nice to read, but I must admit, philosophically or analytical philosphically, because McGinn is an analytical philosopher and mostly writes about that it is for beginners. This is not a bad thing though, because thats how its supposed to be. McGinn wanted to write an introduction to philosophy type a book, but any way he tried it came up too textbook like and thus missing the adventure and inspiration that is an essential part of doing philosophy. Here he shares his own pa Wery well writen and nice to read, but I must admit, philosophically or analytical philosphically, because McGinn is an analytical philosopher and mostly writes about that it is for beginners.
Here he shares his own passion for philosophy through his intellectual biography. So, I wish Id had that book when I was a freshman in philosophy, but it is still a good read get it GoodRead - oh, what a laugh! Jun 05, Dave rated it it was amazing.
The Making of a Philosopher: My Journey Through Twentieth-Century Philosophy [Colin McGinn] on bahana-line.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers . In his book The Making of a Philosopher: My Journey Through Twentieth Century Philosophy, McGinn seamlessly weaves in and out of personal biography and.
Gosto de literatura e de filosofia, e fico muito satisfeito quando me deparo com obras como esta, que conjuga as virtudes de ambas. May 12, Rachael rated it really liked it.
I thought this provided a good overview of the analytical philosophical tradition by highlighting some major themes. McGinn does a fine job of explaining in non technical language complex ideas. The autobiographical episodes provide some mental relief, though sometimes they seem a bit random or misused, such as when he delves into the details of his fiction writing.
Overall I think this is a worthwhile way to get a grasp of some of the philosophical debates which have been raged over the past fe I thought this provided a good overview of the analytical philosophical tradition by highlighting some major themes. Overall I think this is a worthwhile way to get a grasp of some of the philosophical debates which have been raged over the past few decades.
Nov 28, Braden Canfield rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is a remarkably readable memoir. Collin effectively teaches his readers something of the discipline of philosophy and much about the nature of various philosophical schools of thought as he tells his very personal story of discovering his own love of the field.
Most inspiring is his dogged courage in pursuing his own way as he matured as a philosopher. It is clear that he truly loves his chosen work. Mar 19, JFN rated it liked it. I really respect philosopher Colin McGinn. I like listening to clips of him speaking on Youtube. He's a smart motherfucker. And I guess this book was okay. It was what it promised to be, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood. I'm glad I know more about him now. It was an accessible read.
Kinda boring in places, interesting in others. Sep 07, Mischke rated it really liked it. A perfect blend for an introduction to philosophy: McGinn is from the Analytic tradition, so not much from the Continental tradition is found here, but a fun worthwhile read for those new to philosophy and possibly a little intimidated by the subject as well Apr 15, Prooost Davis rated it it was amazing. This is a combination autobiography and discussion of the philosophical questions Colin McGinn has been concerned with during his career. The author manages to be both modest and self-assured in his opinions, and the elementary explanations of philosophical issues are as clear as anyone could make them to the layman.
Aug 06, Francois Cloutier rated it it was amazing. Une excellente biographie philosophique de Colin McGinn. Dec 10, Monica rated it it was ok. I gave this book pages. But unfortunately, too much of it was over my head for me to continue. I gave it my best shot. It was okay as far as I got with it but not what I was looking for at the time I read it.
May 23, David rated it it was ok Shelves: Some interesting bits, but I came away feeling the pretentiousness of the author. Jul 21, Lendyll rated it really liked it. Good book for the budding philosopher. Apr 02, Ismail Mayat rated it it was amazing. Great introduction in laymans terms to philosophy written as an autobiography.
A mostly non-gossipy memoir about Wittgenstein, Ms. Look for the Kindle MatchBook icon on print and Kindle book detail pages of qualifying books. Print edition must be purchased new and sold by Amazon. Gifting of the Kindle edition at the Kindle MatchBook price is not available.
Learn more about Kindle MatchBook. Related Video Shorts 0 Upload your video. Try the Kindle edition and experience these great reading features: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Read reviews that mention analytic philosophy colin mcginn good read general public philosophy of language philosophical issues comes across waste of time may simply personal life since mcginn career in academic well written philosophical life philosophy including intellectual life mcginn via the work western analytic philosophy philosophy since philosophy of mind.
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. What is most striking of all is the conclusion of the distinguished philosopher-author, fully discussed in some of his books, that the human mind is not equipped to understand some fundamental issues, such as the mind-body problem, the determinism-free will riddle and the nature of consciousness.
Interestingly the philosopher Thomas Nagel reached a similar conclusion in a book on something fundamental missing in our understanding of evolution. I have one problem with the book, namely too strict avoidance of personal information. As thinking is influenced by emotions some details on the personal life of the author would have added an important dimension, But I respect his decision to devote the book exclusively to his evolution as a philosopher as such.
One person found this helpful. As Colin McGinn makes clear up front, this autobiography focuses on his intellectual life rather than his personal life, and his intellectual focus has been on Western analytic philosophy. As someone who once considered a career in academic philosophy, I found this book to offer a fascinating insider's perspective, even if it mainly just represents the perspective of one person.
I mostly agree with McGinn's views, and yet I find that most of the work done in Western analytic philosophy, including McGinn's own work, has been a waste of time. Not that I don't appreciate rigor and clarity I do , but I find that analytic philosophy largely amounts to abstract hair-splitting which leads to no answers to deep questions nor any wisdom applicable to everyday life; people with an intensely analytic mind are better off applying their energy to math, science, etc.
This shortcoming is especially acute in the philosophy of language, where Wittgenstein perhaps said the most that a philosopher can, thus leaving questions related to language best addressed by sociolinguists rather than philosophers. I'll grant that analytic philosophy has perhaps been more useful in the philosophy of mind, which is another of McGinn's major areas, but of course he reaches the negative "mysterian" conclusion that the problem of consciousness may simply be unsolvable by humans.
Nevertheless, I still very much like this book, and I didn't mind the quick review of some areas of analytic philosophy. Moreover, the scope isn't strictly confined to analytic philosophy, since McGinn does touch on a bit of psychology, phenomenology, and existentialism early on, and during the s he ventured well beyond hardcore analytic philosophy into areas more relevant to everyday life.
In that sense, perhaps this autobiography was a bit premature, since McGinn has continued in that more interesting direction during the past decade also. In terms of the writing, this book is well written and easy to follow, with appropriate levels of candor and humility, and a nice balance between technical discussion, broader reflections on the philosophical life, and some fun gossip. Also, the unabridged audiobook is narrated very well and I think the audio format suits this book.