Falling in Love with Wisdom: American Philosophers Talk about Their Calling (Revised)

In this collection of sixty-four memoirs - almost all of them written for this volume - American philosophers attempt to explain why they were drawn to philosophy and the difference it has made in their lives. Many recall a single memorable moment, an epiphany that changed forever the way they thought about themselves and the world around them. Others struggle to identify a series of events, or recall childhood awakenings, brushes with death, or the personal pain of social ostracism. Contributed by thinkers young and old, male and female, famous and obscure, these stories, provide an extremely personal glimpse into the lives and motivations of philosophers. Not only a unique and intriguing collection for colleages in the field, other academics, and the students who both admire and fear these "aristocrats in the classroom, " "Falling in Love With Wisdom" provides remarkable confessions that reveal both the rewards and the hazards of a life dedicated to the pursuit of wisdom.