In Defence of Wonder and Other Philosophical Reflections

In these lively and provocative essays philosopher polymath and all-round intellectual heavyweight Raymond Tallis debunks commonplace truths exposes woolly thinking and pulls the rug from beneath a wide range of commentator whether scientist theologian philosopher or pundit. Tallis takes to task much of contemporary science and philosophy arguing that they are guilty of taking us down ever narrowing conduits of problem solving that only invite ever more complex responses and in doing so have lost sight of wonder - the metaphysical intoxication that first gave birth to philosophy 2500 years ago. Tallis tackles some meaty topics - memory time language truth fiction consciousness - but always with his characteristic verve insight and wit. These essays showcase Tallis's skill for getting to the heart of the matter and challenging us to see and wonder in different ways. Wonder is the proper state of humankind and as these essays show it has no more forceful a champion than Raymond Tallis.