Philosopher

What would the global history of philosophy look like if it were told not as a story of ideas but as a series of job descriptions--ones that might have been used to fill the position of philosopher at different times and places over the past 2,500 years? The Philosopher does just that, providing a new way of looking at the history of philosophy by bringing to life six kinds of figures who have occupied the role of philosopher in a wide range of societies around the world over the millennia--the Natural Philosopher, the Sage, the Gadfly, the Ascetic, the Mandarin, and the Courtier. The result is at once an unconventional introduction to the global history of philosophy and an original exploration of what philosophy has been--and perhaps could be again. By uncovering forgotten or neglected philosophical job descriptions, the book reveals that philosophy is a universal activity, much broader--and more gender inclusive--than we normally think today. In doing so, The Philosopher challenges us to reconsider our idea of what philosophers can do and what counts as philosophy.

Winner of the 2017 PROSE Award in Philosophy, Association of American Publishers "Clear, engaging and enlightening."--Stephen Gaukroger, Times Literary Supplement "The Philosopheris a fun book to read for anyone, professional philosophers included."--Siddharth Singh, Open Magazine "The strength of Smith's approach is to demonstrate philosophical thought in action, and the book comes into its own when introducing readers to philosophers outside the recognized canon."--Joe Humphreys, Irish Times "The array of thinkers cited is gender and culture inclusive, and the writing style is stylish and interspersed with touches of humor."--Choice "A thoughtful, provocative, and quietly confident account of what it is to do philosophy."--Sarah Gustafson, Key Reporter

Justin E. H. Smith is university professor of the history and philosophy of science at the Universite Paris Diderot--Paris VII. He is the author of Nature, Human Nature, and Human Difference: Race in Early Modern Philosophy and Divine Machines: Leibniz and the Sciences of Life (both Princeton). He writes frequently for the New York Times, Harper's Magazine, Cabinet Magazine, and other publications.