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Polity’s Why It Matters series

In these short and lively books, world-leading thinkers make the case for the importance of their subjects and aim to inspire a new generation of students.

Helen Beebee & Michael Rush, Philosophy
Robert Eaglestone, Literature
Lynn Hunt, History
Tim Ingold, Anthropology
Neville Morley, Classics
Alexander B. Murphy, Geography
Geoffrey K. Pullum, Linguistics
Graham Ward, Theology and Religion

Philosophy

Why It Matters

Helen Beebee
Michael Rush











Polity

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Pascal Porcheron and Ellen MacDonald-Kramer at Polity for their encouragement, enthusiasm, efficiency and good advice, as well as three anonymous reviewers, whose comments and suggestions led to many improvements.

Thanks to Al Baker for conversations on a book idea that led to a different book idea that led to a different book idea and ended up here. Thanks also to the following people for reading and commenting on a draft of this book: Sammy Boardman, Matthew Elton, Harry Gray, Jasmine Hay, Anneli Jefferson, Pauline Kwiat-Hodson, Emilia Meissner, Matthew Rush, and Ema Sullivan-Bissett. You’re all great.

We dedicate this book to the memory of Harry Lesser (1943–2015): an inspiring teacher, generous colleague, and friend.