PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Thomas E. Wartenberg is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Mount Holyoke College where he taught since 1984. He is the author or editor of over fifteen books including most recently, Thinking Through Stories: Children, Philosophy, and Picture Books; Mel Bochner: Illustrating Philosophy; and Thinking On Screen: Film as Philosophy.
In this truly groundbreaking endeavor, Wartenberg opens a surprisingly neglected topic to philosophical inquiry. Employing the notion of illustration, Wartenberg eruditely explores the diverse ways in which fine art abets philosophical understanding, including examples of how it can present original philosophical insight. Wartenberg's text is consistently historically informed and generous, contextually illuminating, aesthetically sensitive, and philosophically astute. This pioneering treatise will undoubtedly provide a source for philosophical conversation for years to come. * Noël Carroll, The Graduate Center, CUNY * Wartenberg analyzes a range of examples of illustrations from various time periods and media that present the views of Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Rousseau, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and others. He argues that illustration can be a genuine artform, that pictures can 'do' philosophy in some ways better than words, and that illustrations can even advance philosophical positionsfor instance, in certain cases of abstract art and comics. This is a clear, original, erudite, and provocative book, which will interest philosophers, art historians, and other students of intellectual history. * Cynthia Freeland, University of Houston * Wartenberg demonstrates that philosophical illustration has a long and fascinating history. He undercuts the common idea that illustration is an inferior artform, showing that illustrations can sometimes be great works of art themselves.This original and lucidly written book will intrigue not only philosophers, but anyone interested in the intersection of art and ideas. * Kathleen M. Higgins, University of Texas at Austin * Richly illustrated, chock full of insights, this book exposes the secret life of images in the practice of philosophy. From Plato's diagrams to Mel Bochner's visualizations of Wittgenstein's ideas, to Scott McCloud's comic book presenting a philosophy of comics, Wartenberg brings out how images amplify and enrich philosophical reasoning. A must-read for anyone who cares about philosophy, images, or both. * Dominic McIver Lopes FRSC, University of British Columbia * Thoughtful Images provides something altogether different, a theory of how philosophical theories have been illustrated...Thoughtful Images opens up such debate, presenting challenging issues which will inspire ongoing research...And that is a rare achievement. * David Carrier, Arion 31.1. *
