Mortimer Adler Books

Exploring the essence of a fulfilling life, Mortimer Adler questions the relationship between happiness and a "good life." He provides a framework for evaluating contemporary society against historical standards, examining how culture influences individual pursuits of fulfillment. Adler advocates for a moral and educational revolution, emphasizing the need for significant social, economic, and political reforms to address injustices. Central to his philosophy is the idea of "the ethics of common sense," which defends the individual's right to seek happiness and a meaningful existence.

Exploring profound philosophical questions, Adler delves into concepts such as beauty, immortality, knowledge, and erotic love with clarity and rigor. He offers precise definitions for 125 commonly used philosophical terms, including chance, good and evil, memory, and human nature. Organized in an accessible A-to-Z format, this work serves as both a stimulating read and a comprehensive introduction to the history of significant ideas, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in philosophy.

Exploring the intersection of science and psychology, this work examines the evolution of psychological thought and the implications of modern scientific methods. The author critiques the excessive specialization and mechanization in research, arguing that it leads to a disconnection from fundamental problems and a reliance on technical procedures over theoretical understanding. Through a series of lectures, the text highlights the challenges faced by contemporary psychoanalysts and the need for a broader perspective in empirical research.

How do meaningless marks and sounds become the meaningful words of a natural language? To what do words having referential significance refer? What is the meaning of the words that do not have referential significance? Can ordinary language really do what it appears to do, or is this an illusion? Dr. Adler maintains that these fundamental questions are not satisfactorily treated in the two main philosophies of language that have dominated twentieth-century thinking on the subject - the syntactical and 'ordinary language' approaches.Drawing upon the tradition of Aristotle, Aquinas, Poinsot, and Husserl, Dr. Adler's own discussion exemplifies the third approach, which he describes as "semantic and lexical." In this now -classic work, the fruit of more than 50 years' concern with the philosophy of language, Dr. Adler advances a powerful theory of meaning and applies it to some outstanding philosophical problems. In unpretentious and uncluttered prose, he provides a limpid introduction to a number of knotty philosophical issues and at the same time issues a challenge to some of the most tenacious doctrines of the modern world.

Drawing on his extensive knowledge of Western literature, philosophy, and history, Adler considers what is meant by democracy, law, emotion, language, truth, and other abstract concepts in light of more than two millennia of Western civilization. 15 photos.

"Investigates the art of reading by examining each aspect of reading, problems encountered, and tells how to combat them."--]cProvided by publisher

Each summer, Mortimer J. Adler conducts a seminar at the Aspen Institute in Colorado. At the 1981 seminar, leaders from the worlds of business, literature, education, and the arts joined him in an in-depth consideration of the six great ideas that are the subject of this book: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty - the ideas we judge by; and Liberty, Equality and Justice - the ideas we act on. The group discussions and conversations between Dr. Adler and journalist Bill Moyers were filmed for broadcast on public television, and thousands of people followed their exploration of these important ideas. Discarding the out-worn and off-putting jargon of academia, Dr. Adler dispels the myth that philosophy is the exclusive province of the specialist. He argues that "philosophy is everybody's business," and that a better understanding of these fundamental concepts is essential if we are to cope with the political, moral, and social issues that confront us daily.

Focusing on the intersection of politics and moral philosophy, this work argues that common sense is essential for evaluating societal values and institutions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding what constitutes good and bad, right and wrong in political discourse, suggesting that a moral framework rooted in common sense is crucial for effective governance and ethical decision-making.

Mortimer J. Adler's Haves Without Have-Nots is a compilation of six essays revolving around a unifying theme: the convergence of capitalism and socialism in a politically and economically democratic world society, the likes of which has never been seen until now, as the 20th century draws to a close.

This illuminating critique explores the intricacies of modern thought, offering insights from a philosopher known for making complex ideas accessible to the general public. The book delves into contemporary philosophical debates, challenging readers to rethink their assumptions and engage with profound questions about society and existence. Its first-time availability in paperback makes it a valuable addition for those seeking to deepen their understanding of philosophical discourse.