Nasty Brutish and Short

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 placespreschools and playgrounds. They debate questions about metaphysics and morality even though theyve never heard those words and cant tie their shoes. Theyre kids. And as University of Michigan professor of philosophy and law Scott Hershovitz shows they can help grown-ups solve some of lifes 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. Thats 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.