John McDowell
Key Contemporary Thinkers
1. Edition June 2004
224 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
John McDowell has set the philosophical world alight with a
revolutionary approach to the subject, illuminating old problems
with dazzling particularity. In this welcome introduction to his
work, Maximilian de Gaynesford puts writing within comfortable
reach of non-specialists.
The guiding argument of the book is that the variety of
McDowell's interests disguises a core concern with a single
basic goal: 'giving philosophy peace'. Since the dawn
of the subject, philosophy has struggled with the question: can our
experience of the world give rational support to what we think and
say; and if so, how? McDowell claims that philosophy has itself to
blame if these questions seem problematic, and this book's
animating purpose is to see what sense can be made of this
notorious claim. In McDowell's view, the illusion that our
fundamental relations with the world are truly problematic is
traceable to false views about nature. We should give proper weight
to a natural fact about the world: that human beings are of a kind
that is naturally placed within the natural order.
De Gaynesford analyses McDowell's densely argued and
meticulous work in a lucid, balanced and engaging way, that will
prove invaluable for all students and scholars of McDowell and
philosophy.
Preface.
Part I: Overview.
Challenge.
Response.
Implications.
Part II: A Naturalism of Second Nature.
Naturalism.
Reasons.
Nature Revised.
Part III: An Internationality of Second Nature.
Experience.
Conceptualism.
Judgement.
Openness.
World Dependency.
Part IV: The Exercise of Second Nature.
Knowledge.
Value.
Conclusion.
Notes.
Select Further Reading.
References.
Index.
partly because of his somewhat abstruse writing style, but also
because his work often addresses such a diverse range of
philosophical topics. De Gaynesford has done a really excellent job
of gathering together the central strands of McDowell's work,
and presenting them in a unified and accessible form.'
Darragh Byrne, University of Birmingham
'This elegant and rigorous book provides students and
scholars with an accessible, sympathetic and yet critical overview
of McDowell's unusually demanding but highly influential body
of work. It will surely prove pivotal to future discussions, not
only of this author, but also of the central philosophical themes
with which he has been preoccupied.' Stephen Mulhall,
University of Oxford
'...certainly a helpful introduction. The force and
direction of McDowell's thinking is best appreciated cumulatively -
his work is holistic not atomistic - and de Gaynesford provides a
comprehensive and informed means of situating it's various
stands.'
Philosophical Papers
'This book is a wonderful introduction to a very complex
philosopher. Gaynesford succeeds in both making McDowell accessible
while at the same time providing intersting suggestions for future
discussions. Suggested reading sorted according to topic is
provided at the end.'
Adonis Vidu, Emmanuel University, Oradea, Romania
