Knowledge is a great treasure, but there is one thing higher than knowledge, and that is understanding, says philosopher Anthony Grayling in The Mystery of Things (Weidenfeld & Nicolson), published this week. These essays on science, the arts and history examine what they offer to our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. “For the working parts of the day”, Grayling concentrates on Descartes’ Philosophical Essays and Correspondence (Hackett, 2000) because he is writing a biography of the great thinker. He reviews books, and is reading Edward Said’s essays Power, Politics and Culture (Bloomsbury) and Michael Cook’s A Brief…
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from Â鶹´«Ã½
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Popular articles
Trending Â鶹´«Ã½ articles
1
Are Neanderthals descendants of modern humans?
2
The biggest threat to Chernobyl is no longer radiation
3
Neanderthal infants were enormous compared with modern humans
4
We might finally know how to use quantum computers to boost AI
5
Particles seen emerging from empty space for first time
6
Monkeys walk around a virtual world using only their thoughts
7
Hospital-acquired pneumonia reduced by daily toothbrushing
8
Can you determine your personalised stress score?
9
Can we ‘vaccinate’ ourselves against stress?
10
Is a super El Niño imminent, and what could the impacts be?
