The Philosopher A History in Six Types
The Philosopher: A History in Six Types by Justin E. H. Smith, published by Princeton University Press in 2016, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of the philosopher’s role across various cultures and eras. This 272-page book presents a narrative that reframes the history of philosophy not through ideas alone, but through the diverse job descriptions that have defined philosophers over the past 2,500 years.
Readers will discover six distinct archetypes of philosophers, including the Natural Philosopher and the Sage, which illuminate the broader and more inclusive nature of philosophical inquiry. By exploring these roles, the book encourages a reevaluation of what constitutes philosophy and the potential for its future. This edition invites readers to engage with the historical context of philosophical thought, revealing how these roles have shaped our understanding of philosophy today.
Official synopsis Publisher
How the role of the philosopher has changed over time and across cultures–and what it reveals about philosophy today
What would the global history of philosophy look like if it were told not as a story of ideas but as a series of job descriptions–ones that might have been used to fill the position of philosopher at different times and places over the past 2,500 years? The Philosopher does just that, providing a new way of looking at the history of philosophy by bringing to life six kinds of figures who have occupied the role of philosopher in a wide range of societies around the world over the millennia–the Natural Philosopher, the Sage, the Gadfly, the Ascetic, the Mandarin, and the Courtier. The result is at once an unconventional introduction to the global history of philosophy and an original exploration of what philosophy has been–and perhaps could be again.
By uncovering forgotten or neglected philosophical job descriptions, the book reveals that philosophy is a universal activity, much broader–and more gender inclusive–than we normally think today. In doing so, The Philosopher challenges us to reconsider our idea of what philosophers can do and what counts as philosophy.
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