The Therapy of Desire
In recent years, several books have appeared whose central thrust was to demonstrate that the methodology of philosophical thought and analysis has practical application. Here, Nussbaum (philosophy, classics, and comparative literature, Brown) has concentrated on Hellenistic ethics--i.e., those of the Epicureans, Stoics, and Skeptics--arguing that these schools have been ignored in traditional historical accounts, particularly with regard to their treatment of emotion. She analyzes texts by such writers as Aristotle, Epicurus, Sextus Empiricus, and Plutarch to show that their concerns regarding emotion are no different from ours and could be applied to the psychological problems, both private and public, we currently face. Nussbaum's criticisms and analyses of each writer are carefully worked out. Some professional (read "technical") philosophers may object to her approach, but it is encouraging to see philosopy viewed as having practical consequences. Recommended for all academic libraries and for public libraries with substantial philosophy collections.- Terry Skeats, Bishop's Univ. Lib., Lennoxville, QuebecCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.