Nasty, Brutish, and Short
Adventures in Philosophy with Kids
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
An NPR Best Book of 2022 * One of Christian Science Monitor's 10 best books of May
“This amazing new book . . . takes us on a journey through classic and contemporary philosophy powered by questions like ‘What do we have the right to do? When is it okay to do this or that?’ They explore punishment and authority and sex and gender and race and the nature of truth and knowledge and the existence of God and the meaning of life and Scott just does an incredible job.” —Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic
Some of the best philosophers in the world gather in surprising places—preschools and playgrounds. They debate questions about metaphysics and morality, even though they’ve never heard those words and can’t tie their shoes. They’re kids. And as University of Michigan professor of philosophy and law Scott Hershovitz shows, they can help grown-ups solve some of life’s greatest mysteries.
Hershovitz has two young sons, Rex and Hank. From the time they could talk, he noticed that they raised philosophical questions and tried to answer them. They re-created ancient arguments and advanced entirely new ones. That’s not unusual, Hershovitz says. Every kid is a philosopher.
Powered by questions like: Does Hank have the right to drink soda? Is it ever okay to swear? and, Does the number six exist? the Hershovitzes take us on a fun romp through classic and contemporary philosophy. If we join kids on philosophical adventures, Hershovitz argues, we can become sharper thinkers and recapture their wonder at the world.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Hershovitz, a philosophy and law professor at the University of Michigan, mixes wit and wisdom in this thoroughly enjoyable philosophical tour that uses conversations with the author's two sons to demonstrate that "anyone can do philosophy and every kid does." On the first day of second grade, Hershovitz's son Rex offered a cogent description of philosophy: "Philosophy is the art of thinking." Hershovitz builds on that definition to discuss the importance of critical thinking, for philosophers and for society in general. He covers such topics as rights, punishment, race and responsibility, and God, showing how philosophy can help make sense of thorny problems. Kant, for instance, teaches about morality and not using people "merely as a means to achieve our ends," while Aristotle holds lessons about revenge when Rex retaliates after being called a "floofer doofer" at school, and Marilyn McCord Adams posited that "God couldn't count as ‘good or loving' if he allowed anyone's life to be swallowed up by evil." Fun anecdotes abound, and Hershovitz demonstrates how to engage children by taking them seriously, teaching them to ask questions, and encouraging them to explore the world—things adults can learn from, as well. This sincere and smart account puts to rest the idea that philosophy belongs in academia's ivory tower.
