The book provides a clear and accessible overview of Charles Taylor's philosophical ideas, making it an essential resource for students of philosophy, religion, and political theory. It serves as a valuable guide for non-specialists eager to understand Taylor's contributions to these fields.
Ruth Abbey presents a close study of Nietzsche's works, Human, All Too Human , Daybreak , and The Gay Science . Although these middle period works tend to be neglected in commentaries on Nietzsche, they repay careful attention. Abbey's commentary brings to light important differences across Nietzsche's oeuvre that have gone unnoticed, filling a serious gap in the literature.
The book explores the perspectives of three prominent feminists—Martha Nussbaum, Susan Moller Okin, and Jean Hampton—who advocate for liberalism as a means to enhance women's rights. It delves into their arguments for how liberalism can provide the necessary normative and political tools to address and improve the challenges faced by women in society. Through their analyses, the text highlights the intersection of feminist theory and liberal principles, emphasizing their commitment to reform rather than rejection of liberalism.
Human, All Too Human marks the beginning of what is often called Nietzsche's middle or positivist period (which ends with the conclusion of Book IV of The Gay Science). It initiates some important features that become permanent in his work, such as his experiments in multiple writing styles within one work, his self-representation as a psychologist, his genealogical excavations of morality and his appeal to fellow Europeans to overcome the parochialism and antagonism of nationalism. Ruth Abbey shows Nietzsche to be more receptive to the Enlightenment tradition than he is typically taken to be. She assumes no knowledge of the text or of Nietzsche. She maps her chapters onto those of Nietzsche's text, allowing you to read the guide alongside the book. Altogether, she opens up Human, All Too Human for new readers, while more experienced Nietzsche scholars will appreciate the new perspective.