A World without Why

February 1, 2014

Geuss (philosophy, Univ. of Cambridge; The Idea of a Critical Theory) thinks that philosophers, especially those who follow Plato and Immanuel Kant, are the victims of an illusion. These philosophers reckon that our moral views fit together seamlessly; moreover, our ethical opinions are objectively true and form part of a harmonious cosmos. Geuss, in this erudite collection of essays, dissents. He believes that morality is part of politics and reflects contested values that have varied throughout history. Further, there is no overarching account of things that explains where everything fits in; we live in a "world without why." The author often proceeds by a careful attention to words. In asking whether criticism must be constructive, for example, he distinguishes with great precision various senses of "criticism." He displays a remarkable knowledge of the Greek and Roman classics, and readers will learn much from his discussion of the auctoritas (authority) of the Roman Senate and from his account of the Greek poet Pindar. Geuss was a friend and admirer of Bernard Williams, and he offers a very helpful account of Williams's skepticism about ethics. Attracted to Marxism, Geuss here displays illuminating remarks on the notion of human powers in Marx. VERDICT Geuss is a unique voice in contemporary philosophy, and this book is ideal for anyone interested in intellectual history.--David Gordon, Bowling Green State Univ., OH

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