Author: Christopher Hamilton File Type: pdf Middle age, for many, marks a key period for a radical reappraisal of ones life and way of living. The sense of time running out, both from the perspective that ones life has ground to a halt, and from the point of view of the greater closeness of death, and the sense of loneliness engendered by the compromised and wasteful nature of life, become ever clearer in mid-life, and can lead to a period of dramatic self doubt.In this book, the philosopher Christopher Hamilton (early 40s) explores the moods, emotions and experiences of middle age in the contemporary world, seeking to describe and analyze that period of life philosophically. Hamilton draws on his own personal experiences of turning 40 as well as a wide range of sources - from the philosophical writings of Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Hegel, Heidegger to the literature of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Conrad and the films of Woody Allen - to offer us a philosophy of middle age.Some of the many fascinating themes explored include the strong sense of nostalgia experienced in mid-life, of loss for ones youth, and of regret, the sense that life has become boring, the recognition that one can never fully escape feelings of guilt, and - central to the experience of middle age - the question of what is the point of going on at all. In the light of the melancholy wisdom of mid-life Hamilton suggests that pleasure becomes much more important than at previous stages of life and he shows that the enjoyment of pleasure can be something noble.Insightful, entertaining, and thought-provoking, Middle Age is fascinating reading and for anyone heading for a mid-life crisis it is much cheaper than buying a sports car.

Author: David Solomon File Type: pdf This book addresses the Confucian philosophy of common good and deals with the comparative philosophy on eastern and western understandings of common good. The common good is an essentially contested concept in contemporary moral and political discussions. Although the notion of the common good has a slightly antique air, especially in the North Atlantic discussion, it has figured prominently in both the sophisticated theoretical accounts of moral and political theory in recent years and also in the popular arguments brought for particular political policies and for more general orientations toward policy. It has been at home both in the political arsenal of the left and the right and has had special significance in ethical and political debates in modern and modernizing cultures. This text will be of interest to philosophers interested in Chinese philosophy and issues related to individualism and communitarianism, ethicists and political philosophers, comparative philosophers, and those in religious studies working on Chinese religion.

Author: Ithamar Theodor File Type: pdf In recent decades there has been a rising interest among scholars of Hinduism and Judaism in engaging in the comparative studies of these ancient traditions. Academic interests have also been inspired by the rise of interreligious dialogue by the respective religious leaders. Dharma and Halacha Comparative Studies in Hindu-Jewish Philosophy and Religion represents a significant contribution to this emerging field, offering an examination of a wide range of topics and a rich diversity of perspectives and methodologies within each tradition, and underscoring significant affinities in textual practices, ritual purity, sacrifice, ethics and theology. Dharma refers to a Hindu term indicating law, duty, religion, morality, justice and order, and the collective body of Dharma is called Dharma-shastra. Halacha is the Hebrew term designating the Jewish spiritual path, comprising the collective body of Jewish religious laws, ethics and rituals. Although there are strong parallels between Hinduism and Judaism in topics such as textual practices and mystical experience, the link between these two religious systems, i.e. Dharma and Halacha, is especially compelling and provides a framework for the comparative study of these two traditions. The book begins with an introduction to Hindu-Jewish comparative studies and recent interreligious encounters. Part I of the book titled Ritual and Sacrifice, encompasses the themes of sacrifice, holiness, and worship. Part II titled Ethics, is devoted to comparing ethical systems in both traditions, highlighting the manifold ways in which the sacred is embodied in the mundane. Part III of the book titled Theology, addresses common themes and phenomena in spiritual leadership, as well as textual metaphors for mystical and visionary experiences in Hinduism and Judaism. The epilogue offers a retrospective on Hindu-Jewish encounters, mapping historic as well as contemporary academic initiatives and collaborations. **Review This is a fine collection of essays on an important topic. Hindu-Jewish (and Indian-Israeli) connections are timely and significant. I recommend this work and congratulate Professor Theodor and Professor Greenberg on this pioneering effort. (Nathan Katz, Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Florida International University) Chapter by chapter, this edited collection reconstructs categories and unsettles assumptions that have long dominated how we imagine religion. The scholars included here lay out thoughtful, focused comparative studies of Hindu and Jewish ritual, ethics, and theology. Along the way, they de-center European and Northern American approaches to religion, engaging scholars from around the world. This is the globalization of the study of religion rich data, diverse scholarly voices, and expansive frameworks that lead to new insights concerning the human religious experience. (Kathryn McClymond, Georgia State University) Scholars who still think of comparisons between Hinduism and Jewish as unlikely, will find this volume a convincing argument for the possibility of comparisons. The book offers an important contribution to the growing field of Hindu-Jewish studies with many diverse and insightful articles, several of them opening up new avenues of research. The overviews of the field and full bibliographies make the volume a resource guide and suitable for classrooms. (Alan Brill, CoopermanRoss Endowed Professor, Seton Hall University) About the Author Ithamar Theodor is senior lecturer of Hindu studies at Zefat Academic College and director of the Hindu-Jewish Studies Program at The University of Haifa. His most recent book is The Fifth Veda in Hinduism Philosophy, Poetry and Devotion in the Bhagavata Purana (2016). Yudit Kornberg Greenberg is the George D. and Harriet W. Cornell endowed chair of religion, and founding director of the Jewish Studies Program at Rollins College. Her most recent book is The Body in Religion Crosscultural Perspectives (2017).Contributors Rachel McDermott & Daniel Polish & Tracy Pintchman & Phillipe Bornet & Aaron Gross & Purushottama Bilimoria & Shoshana Razel Gordon-Guedalia & Thomas A. Forsthoefel & Paul Martin & Prof. Daniel, Rabbi Sperber & Barbara A. Holdrege

Author: Carol Brown File Type: pdf A practical guide to the dynamic revival of contemporary knitting, Knitwear Design is also a source of inspiration and advice on the latest techniques and practices. Packed with diagrams, knitwear samples and images from a wide range of contemporary designers, the book offers a practical approach to designing garments from initial research, finding sources of inspiration and developing the design, through an exploration of color, texture, and knitting techniques to constructing a garment and creating and writing a pattern. Knitwear Design also showcases the techniques that are transforming knitted textiles, such as heat treatments and painting and printing knit, and profiles the fusing of knitting, art, and craft. The book includes case studies from international designers, offering students a unique insight into the industry. Knitting is a tactile and versatile craft and Knitwear Design gives readers the knowledge and inspiration they need to create innovative and eyecatching fashion.**