Contentment in Contention

Southgate draws on ideas within history, philosophy, literature, psychology, and theology to explore two traditions: contentment with our situation as it is, and the aspiration to transcend it. He discusses the possibility of escape from intellectual constraints, and advocates a positive 'duty of discontent', and its implications.

Autorentext
BEVERLEY SOUTHGATE Reader Emeritus in History of Ideas at the University of Hertfordshire, UK. His many publications include Postmodernism in History (2003), What is History For? (2005), and History Meets Fiction (2009). He is currently working on aspects of history's relationships with art.

Inhalt
Preface Acknowledgements Epigram Introduction Contentment with 'Reality' and 'Common-sense' Contentment within Cages (i): Science, Ethics, Politics Contentment within Cages (ii): Language and History Cages: Dogmatism and Escape Antidote to Contentment: the Sublime Education for Contentment? Utility, Conformity, Dissent Conclusion Postscript Notes Bibliography Index