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The Myths We Live By: A Contrarian's Guide to Democracy, Free Speech and Other Liberal Fictions Kindle Edition
by Peter Cave (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 23 ratings
3.3 on Goodreads
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Book description
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In this witty and mischievous book, philosopher Peter Cave dissects the most controversial disputes today and uses philosophical argument to reveal that many issues are less straightforward than we'd like to believe. Leaving no sacred cow standing, Cave uses ingenious stories and examples to challenge our most strongly held assumptions.
Is democracy inherently a good thing?
What is the basis of so-called human rights?
In an age of identity politics and so-called "fake news," this book is an essential resource for reinvigorating genuine public debate —and an entertaining challenge to accepted wisdom.
The Myths We Live By
Why do we need a democracy?
There would be no problem, were we all of a like mind; but we are not. Democracy comes to the rescue – so it seems. Everyone can have a say – and the outcome rests on majority votes, one way or another. There is present, though, a resultant deep immorality.
In committing yourself to democratic outcomes, you are giving blank checks to you know not what. In our much-beloved democracies, we usually reach decisions, or appear to, by majority votes; in one way or another, literally or metaphorically, we raise hands. Yet we sink into confusion when the majority of hands is for what is wrong.
Freedom and discrimination
Which types of discriminations are justified? In liberal democracies, how extensive should be the freedom of expression, the freedom to do what we want to do?
In this chapter, the burqa, niqab, Afghan chadri and other religious or cultural attire are the focus; they generate much controversy, especially in Europe, regarding which discriminations may or may not be permitted in the public realm. Some countries prohibit wearing in public any coverings of the face; of course, there are other countries, though hardly liberal democracies, where Muslim women must wear the burqa or similar when in public – otherwise they will suffer years in jail.
Human duties – oops – human rights
Once the emphasis is on human rights we enter the realm of universalism and the most basic requirements for all human beings. How, though, should we attempt to justify the existence of such rights? Karl Marx would point out that, although "rights of man" was presented as universally applicable, it typically focused on interests of specific groups – for example, in property ownership – a point also made by the prominent capitalist Adam Smith. The rights are of "egoistic man", says Marx, of individualistic, self-interested individuals, separate from others and the community, in capitalist competition – "egoistic man withdrawn into himself ".
The Myths We Live By
Product details
ASIN : B082P6W173
Publisher : Atlantic Books; Reprint edition (September 5, 2019)
Publication date : September 5, 2019
Print length : 352 pages
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Customer Reviews: 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 23 ratings
About the author
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Peter Cave
Peter Cave read philosophy at University College London (UCL) and King's College, Cambridge. He has held lectureships in philosophy at UCL, University of Khartoum, Sudan, and City University London; he was an associate lecturer for many many years at the Open University (and is now Honorary) and New York University (London). Further, he is a principal examiner for the Chartered Insurance Institute.
Peter is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Honorary Member of Population Matters, former member of the Council of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and Chair of Humanist Philosophers – and is a Patron of Humanists UK. He is also a keen supporter of the Wigmore Hall and for some years English National Opera (now under unjustified funding cuts). He was elected to The Athenaeum Pall Mall Club in 2007.
Author of numerous philosophical papers, both serious and humorous, Peter’s particular interests are paradoxes, ethical matters and life and death dilemmas. He has given guest philosophy lectures at, for example, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Bucharest and has edited collections and written articles for various publications. In previous decades, he was columnist on taxation and money myths for The Investor magazine.
Peter has scripted and presented BBC radio philosophy programmes – from a series on the Paradox Fair to more serious ones on John Stuart Mill. He often takes part in public debates on religion, ethics and socio-political matters, in Britain and on the Continent – and believes that one should ‘stand up and be counted’ when faced with some horrors, horrors that are often the result of religious belief or unbridled enthusiasm for capitalism.
His philosophy books include 'This Sentence is False: an introduction to philosophical paradoxes'' and 'Humanism'. He is author of the light trilogy, 'Can a Robot Be Human?', 'What’s Wrong with Eating People?' and 'Do Llamas Fall in Love?' each one of which is subtitled '33 Perplexing Philosophy Puzzles'. He also authored 'How to think like a bat – and 34 other really interesting uses of philosophy', reissued and revised as 'How to outwit Aristotle'. In 2012 his 'Philosophy: A Beginner’s Guide appeared'; and 2015 saw his 'Ethics: A Beginner’s Guide' – both introductions being highly recommended – ‘lucid, witty, erudite, and wise’, ‘with his signature sharp style’. His puzzling paradox books have appeared, revised as 'The Big Think Book: Discover Philosophy through 99 Perplexities'.
Recent works include The Myths We Live By and two works co-authored with Professor Rabbi Dan Cohn-Sherbok on Israel, Jews and Judaism: namely, 'Jews: Nearly Everything You Wanted To Know* *but were too afraid to ask' and 'Arguments about Judaism'.
Peter's latest work, published by Bloomsbury (2023), is 'How To Think Like A Philosopher: Scholars, Dreamers and Sages Who Can Teach Us How To Live.
Peter cannot resist writing grumpy, challenging or sceptical letters to newspapers, often published, often pointing out fallacies in the reasoning of political leaders, frequently critical of the current Zeitgeist that disparages the poor. He objects to the current obsession for thunderous beat music in shops, restaurants and bars - and everlasting screeches of building and road works.
He has occasionally dabbled in life drawing, is keen on opera, lieder and string quartets, lives in dust and in Soho – and is often seen with a glass of wine…or two.
‘Do you believe in a life to come?’ asks Clov of Hamm in a Samuel Beckett play, the answer being, ‘All my life’s been a life to come.’ ‘How true,’ reflects Peter Cave.
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Wayne Page
5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightened
Reviewed in Canada on August 28, 2022
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Excellent perspectives on what people have been experiencing for years. This book should be included as necessary reading by all those interested in political office.
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richard vernon proctor
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading today.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2019
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At a depressing time when Government, Parliament and judges are fighting over the future of our country this book is not only an amusing read but also a valuable examination of the arguments everyone should put forward to preserve our future.
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Gazza
5.0 out of 5 stars The Myths We Live By
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2020
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Only a few chapters in, but wonderful so far. Will update review when completed.
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yolanda salguero
5.0 out of 5 stars Another good book by Peter Cave
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2019
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An intelligent look at current affairs
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