The Active Life

Miller's Metaphysics of Democracy

By Michael J. McGandy | Publisher: State University of New York Press

About the book

The ancient antagonism between the active and the contemplative lives is taken up in this innovative and wide-ranging examination of John William Miller's effort to forge a metaphysics of democracy. The Active Life sheds new light on Miller's actualist philosophy—its scope, its systematic character, and its dialectical form. Michael J. McGandy persuasively sets Miller's actualism in the context of Hannah Arendt's understanding of the active life and skillfully presents actualism as a response to Whitman's challenge to craft a democratic form of metaphysics. McGandy concludes that Miller reveals how the philosophical and the political are inextricably connected, how there is no active life without the contemplative life, and that the contemplative life is founded in the active life.

Editions of The Active Life

Hardcover
ISBN 9780791465370
Paperback
ISBN 9780791465387
PDF
ISBN 9780791482865

Read an Excerpt

The ancient antagonism between the active and the contemplative lives is taken up in this innovative and wide-ranging examination of John William Miller's effort to forge a metaphysics of democracy. The Active Life sheds new light on Miller's actualist philosophy—its scope, its systematic character, and its dialectical form. Michael J. McGandy persuasively sets Miller's actualism in the context of Hannah Arendt's understanding of the active life and skillfully presents actualism as a response to Whitman's challenge to craft a democratic form of metaphysics. McGandy concludes that Miller reveals how the philosophical and the political are inextricably connected, how there is no active life without the contemplative life, and that the contemplative life is founded in the active life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Active Life about?

The ancient antagonism between the active and the contemplative lives is taken up in this innovative and wide-ranging examination of John William Miller's effort to forge a metaphysics of democracy. The Active Life sheds new light on Miller's actualist philosophy—its scope, its systematic character, and its dialectical form. Michael J. McGandy persuasively sets Miller's actualism in the context of Hannah Arendt's understanding of the active life and skillfully presents actualism as a response to Whitman's challenge to craft a democratic form of metaphysics. McGandy concludes that Miller reveals how the philosophical and the political are inextricably connected, how there is no active life without the contemplative life, and that the contemplative life is founded in the active life.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Active Life?

Philosophy and Religion > Philosophy > Philosophical traditions and schools of thought > Western philosophy from c 1800 > Pragmatism

Where can I read a sample of The Active Life?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780791465370

How long is The Active Life and how many pages does it have?

The Active Life has 252 page(s)

Is The Active Life part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series SUNY series in the Philosophy of the Social Sciences

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Active Life?

Michael J. McGandy

Who is the Publisher of the book The Active Life?

State University of New York Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Active Life is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780791465370) and paperback(ISBN 9780791465387) and pdf(ISBN 9780791482865)

Where can I buy The Active Life online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy The Active Life?