Listen to Top 100 Audiobooks in Nonfiction, Philosophy

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Title: To Forgive Design

Subtitle: Understanding Failure

Author: Henry Petroski

Narrator: Stephen Hoye

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

When planes crash, bridges collapse, and automobile gas tanks explode, we are quick to blame poor design. But Henry Petroski says we must look beyond design for causes and corrections. Known for his masterly explanations of engineering successes and failures, Petroski here takes his analysis a step further, to consider the larger context in which accidents occur.

In To Forgive Design he surveys some of the most infamous failures of our time, from the 2007 Minneapolis bridge collapse and the toppling of a massive Shanghai apartment building in 2009 to Boston's prolonged Big Dig and the 2010 Gulf oil spill. These avoidable disasters reveal the interdependency of people and machines within systems whose complex behavior was undreamed of by their designers, until it was too late. Petroski shows that even the simplest technology is embedded in cultural and socioeconomic constraints, complications, and contradictions.

Failure to imagine the possibility of failure is the most profound mistake engineers can make. Software developers realized this early on and looked outside their young field, to structural engineering, as they sought a historical perspective to help them identify their own potential mistakes. By explaining the interconnectedness of technology and culture and the dangers that can emerge from complexity, Petroski demonstrates that we would all do well to follow their lead.

Members Reviews:

An excellent read for anyone doing design

What did you love best about To Forgive Design?

Petroski's insight into the important role of inevitable failures is a reminder of just how much we take for granted. The point that experienced and new engineers (and all designers) can get out of this book is that failed designs can teach us where we misunderstood.

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Titre: Marcel Conche : Entretiens avec André Comte-Sponville, Jean-Philippe Catonne, Yvon Quiniou, François Dastur et Gilbert Kirscher

Auteur: Marcel Conche

Narrateur: Marcel Conche

Format: Original Recording

Durée: 6 hrs and 10 mins

Langue: Français

Date de publication: 04-02-14

Éditeur: Frémeaux & Associés

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Résumé de l'éditeur:

"Marcel Conche est né en 1922, à Altillac, en Corrèze, où il vit à nouveau. C'est là, chez lui, qu'eurent lieu les entretiens que l'on va écouter. Ils réunissaient François Lapérou (qui fut l'initiateur et l'organisateur de ces rencontres), Françoise Dastur, Jean-Philippe Catonné, Gilbert Kirscher, Yvon Quiniou et votre serviteur, tous réunis autour de Marcel Conche - non pas tant pour lui rendre hommage, il n'en a guère besoin, mais pour l'interroger, l'écouter et débattre avec lui. Je ne dirai rien du résultat : à chacun d'en juger.

La philosophie de Marcel Conche est un naturalisme tragique - la nature est éternelle, aucun monde ne l'est -, qui débouche sur une sagesse singulière et sur "la morale une et universelle". Il apprend à habiter l'apparence et la nature, mais sans céder sur les droits de l'homme ; à penser l'infini, mais sans dévaloriser la finitude ; à se passer de Dieu, mais sans renoncer à aimer."

André Comte-Sponville

©2014 Frémeaux & Associés (P)2014 Frémeaux & Associés

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Title: Plato at the Googleplex

Subtitle: Why Philosophy Won't Go Away

Author: Rebecca Goldstein

Narrator: Dennis Holland

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-01-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 100 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

Is philosophy obsolete? Are the ancient questions still relevant in the age of cosmology and neuroscience, not to mention crowd-sourcing and cable news? The acclaimed philosopher and novelist Rebecca Newberger Goldstein provides a dazzlingly original plunge into the drama of philosophy, revealing its hidden role in todays debates on religion, morality, politics, and science.

At the origin of Western philosophy stands Plato, who got about as much wrong as one would expect from a thinker who lived 2,400 years ago. But Platos role in shaping philosophy was pivotal. On her way to considering the place of philosophy in our ongoing intellectual life, Goldstein tells a new story of its origin, re-envisioning the extraordinary culture that produced the man who produced philosophy.

But it is primarily the fate of philosophy that concerns her. Is the discipline no more than a way of biding our time until the scientists arrive on the scene? Have they already arrived? Does philosophy itself ever make progress? And if it does, why is so ancient a figure as Plato of any continuing relevance? Plato at the Googleplex is Goldsteins startling investigation of these conundra.

She interweaves her narrative with Platos own choice for bringing ideas to life - the dialogue.Imagine that Plato came to life in the twenty-first century and embarked on a multicity speaking tour. How would he handle the host of a cable news program who denies there can be morality without religion? How would he mediate a debate between a Freudian psychoanalyst and a tiger mom on how to raise the perfect child? How would he answer a neuroscientist who, about to scan Platos brain, argues that science has definitively answered the questions of free will and moral agency? What would Plato make of Google, and of the idea that knowledge can be crowd-sourced rather than reasoned out by experts? With a philosophers depth and a novelists imagination and wit, Goldstein probes the deepest issues confronting us by allowing us to eavesdrop on Plato as he takes on the modern world.

Critic Reviews:

"Dennis Holland has his work cut out for him as he must create a vocal identity for Plato and a host of other characters in this audiobook. He does well with creating a consistent fictional Plato, and, while not all his characters sound real, he does vocally guide listeners through the complex content." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

Was looking forward to it, can't bear it

What disappointed you about Plato at the Googleplex?

I really looked forward to this. And there are some good parts, leading to introspection and deeper thought. But in some unfortunate convergence of story and narration the result is quite annoying. The voices make me cringe. The characters in the dialogs are horrible. And the overall impression is kinda of well, just downright annoying. Preachy, trite, a bit silly. It is in the end, perhaps just too patronizing. Like the author and/or narrator is "talking down" to the listener.

Would you be willing to try another book from Rebecca Goldstein? Why or why not?

Probably not, but can't say for sure.

Would you be willing to try another one of Dennis Hollands performances?

Not so sure about that. I have developed a pretty bad association at this point with some of the voices in this book.

You didnt love this book...

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Title: Art as Experience

Author: John Dewey

Narrator: Tim Lundeen

Format: Unabridged

Length: 17 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-26-14

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 29 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

Art as Experience evolved from John Dewey's Willam James Lectures, delivered at Harvard University from February to May 1931.

In his Introduction, Abraham Kaplan places Dewey's philosophy of art within the context of his pragmatism. Kaplan demonstrates in Dewey's esthetic theory his traditional "movement from a dualism to a monism" and discusses whether Dewey's viewpoint is that of the artist, the respondent, or the critic.

The book is published by Southern Illinois University Press.

Members Reviews:

Dense, but enlightening!

Dewey is not for the faint of heart. There are deep insights on every page. This is a very difficult read, but worthwhile.

Didactic but full of wisdom.

This is a profound voice but it comes from another era. It's of wisdom but sounds like a junior high school Civics lecture at times. but to anyone who's willing to stick it out, it truly pays off.

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Title: Nothing: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Frank Close

Narrator: Ray Chase

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

This short, smart audiobook tells you everything you need to know about "nothing." What remains when you take all the matter away? Can empty space - "nothing" - exist?

To answer these questions, eminent scientist Frank Close takes us on a lively and accessible journey that ranges from ancient ideas and cultural superstitions to the frontiers of current research, illuminating the story of how scientists have explored the void and the rich discoveries they have made there.

Listeners will find an enlightening history of the vacuum: how the efforts to make a better vacuum led to the discovery of the electron; the ideas of Newton, Mach, and Einstein on the nature of space and time; the mysterious aether and how Einstein did away with it; and the latest ideas that the vacuum is filled with the Higgs field.

The story ranges from the absolute zero of temperature and the seething vacuum of virtual particles and anti-particles that fills space, to the extreme heat and energy of the early universe.

Members Reviews:

A thorough trip along physics

The author of this book tells the history of vacuum from the Greek thinkers to quantum physics.

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Title: Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Quentin Skinner

Narrator: David DeSantos

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-25-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

Niccolo Machiavelli taught that political leaders must be prepared to do evil that good may come of it, and his name has been a byword ever since for duplicity and immorality. Is his sinister reputation deserved? In answering this question Quentin Skinner focuses on three major works, The Prince, The Discourses, and The History of Florence, and distils from them an introduction to Machiavelli's doctrines of exemplary clarity.

Members Reviews:

Fortune favors the Bold

"It is desirable to be considered liberal; it is sensible to seem merciful and not cruel; it is essential in general to appear meritorious."

- Machiavelli, The Prince

Quentin Skinner's Very Short Introduction (VSI #31) to Machiavelli is my third selection of Oxford's Very Short Introduction series. No longer choosing at random, I bought this one because it was early in the series (I'm developing a methodology now on selecting which VSIs to buy/read). My considerations for new VSIs are basically this: Earlier over later; cheaper over expensive; broader over narrower. I think I'll probably take a bit of a break from them for a couple weeks at least, but one benefit of these micro-histories/biographies, etc., is they have allowed me to catch-up on my reading goal pretty quickly.

So, Machiavelli? The book was a great survey of his life and works. Usually when thinking of Machiavelli, I (like everyone else) localize on The Prince. This book is a great intro to understanding the FULL Machiavelli. So, the book spends time exploring his other major works (The Art of War, The Discourses, History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy and his fascination with Virtù and Fortuna. Anyway, I enjoyed the book. Skinner seemed to grasp exactly what the VSIs are meant to do (summarize, entice, introduce).

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Title: Aristotle

Subtitle: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Jonathan Barnes

Narrator: Phil Holland

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-15-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 31 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

The influence of Aristotle, the prince of philosophers, on the intellectual history of the West is second to none. In this audiobook, Jonathan Barnes examines Aristotle's scientific researches, his discoveries in logic and his metaphysical theories, his work in psychology and in ethics and politics, and his ideas about art and poetry, placing his teachings in their historical context.

Members Reviews:

Aristotle, explained and defended

Aristotle, explained and defended

a great listen, covers much and helps us know aristotle and his legacy

For The Love of Knowledge

This volume of the Very Short Introduction series, written by an Aristotle's scholar, provides a good overview of his works and describes the position he has in the history of philosophy. Jonathan Barnes exposed the main concepts of Aristotle's thought and his most importants works. Some interpretations of Aristotle's assertions are rebutted in favor of rival conceptions. The author himself gave his understandings about Aristotle's works. Reading this small book, one has a pretty decent view about aristotelian thought and can, if wanted, submerges in his philosophy.

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Title: Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction

Author: David Miller

Narrator: Luci Bell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 24 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-13-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

This Very Short Introduction introduces listeners to the key concepts of political philosophy: Authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. Accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the listener to think clearly and critically about the leading political questions of our time. Miller first investigates how political philosophy tackles basic ethical questions such as 'how should we live together in society?'

In a hurry? Listen to more

.

©2003 David Miller (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Members Reviews:

NOT an introduction to political philosophy

This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I was expecting a short introduction to political philosophy (based on the title). This is more like "Hey, did you ever wonder why we do this and how we could do it differently?"

I wanted an introduction to the actual people who have addressed these issues in the past. There's a brief mention of Plato, a tiny intro to Hume, some very basic and broad Marx. There's an entire chapter on feminism that doesn't mention a single feminist. Just more "gee whiz" questions about "hey, what if women weren't treated as property?" No historical context or linking between schools of thought.

This is just the author asking the questions of political philosophy himself and then answering them himself.

The author spews the usual SJW nonsense

The book started alright but the authors lunatic left wing postion becomes increasingly obvious and i gave up when he started spewing the usual feminist falehoods in chapter 5.

I didnt expect the author to agree with everything i think. That wasnt the problem. Spouting known falsehoods as truth was what made it impossible for me to finish.

Really good

I bought similar books and was appalled. This, however, is beautifully even handed on all the views out there.

I'd love to see a later edition to see what the author has to say regarding the new politics on multiculturalsm and the decline to the West.

Thanks to the authors :-)

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Title: Nietzsche: A Very Short Introduction

Author: Michael Tanner

Narrator: Christine Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-07-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

With his well-known idiosyncrasies and aphoristic style, Friedrich Nietzsche is always bracing and provocative, and temptingly easy to dip into. Michael Tanner's introduction to the philosopher's life and work examines the numerous ambiguities inherent in his writings and explodes many of the misconceptions that have grown in the hundred years since Nietzsche wrote "do not, above all, confound me with what I am not!"

Members Reviews:

Not simple, but quite good

This isn't Nietzsche for Dummies and it doesn't pretend to be. I'm relatively new to philosophy/social critiques and this book was little over my head. I was lost by the 3rd chapter. I went to a more basic book (Nietzsche in 90 Minutes) which helped me get the big picture and only after that was I able to appreciate the value in the "deeper" approach taken here.

Good introduction

This is a nice introduction to Nietzsche. The listener can get a good sense of Nietzsche from this.

imposible

What would have made Nietzsche: A Very Short Introduction better?

the constant use of initials make it imposible to follow, at least for me.Ej: The Birth of Tragedy is BT and Untimely Meditations will be UM and Human, All Too Human is HATH and then a sentence can go like _ much further than BT but different to UM in HATH ..... and so on

reading like this is already not confortable, and it may confuse you.

But listen to this .... all titles :book, essays and works in general in initials ? very difficult

What was most disappointing about Michael Tanners story?

x

Would you be willing to try another one of Christine Williamss performances?

x

What character would you cut from Nietzsche: A Very Short Introduction?

x

Any additional comments?

x

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Title: Man for Himself

Subtitle: An Inquiry into the Psychology of Ethics

Author: Erich Fromm

Narrator: Phil Holland

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-31-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy

Publisher's Summary:

In Man for Himself, Erich Fromm examines the confusion of modern women and men who, because they lack faith in any principle by which life ought to be guided, become the helpless prey forces both within and without. From the broad, interdisciplinary perspective that marks Fromm's distinguished oeuvre, he shows that psychology cannot divorce itself from the problems of philosophy and ethics, and that human nature cannot be understood without understanding the values and moral conflicts that confront us all. He shows that an ethical system can be based on human nature rather than on revelations or traditions. As Fromm asserts, "If man is to have confidence in values, he must know himself and the capacity of his nature for goodness and productiveness."

Members Reviews:

buenos conceptos difícil de seguir

el libro está muy interesante y tiene conceptos muy buenos sin embargo tiene un alto contenido teórico tipo filosófico que requiere que regreses varias veces para poder entender bien las frases y los conceptos que trae.