Courage: The Politics of Life and Limb
- ISBN-10
- 0268020396
- ISBN-13
- 9780268020392
- Series
- Courage
- Category
- History
- Pages
- 361
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2011
- Author
- Richard Avramenko
Description
Courage: The Politics of Life and Limb is a compelling and highly original study of the paradox of courage. Richard Avramenko contends that courage is not simply one virtue among many; rather, it is the primary means for humans to raise themselves out of their individualistic, isolated, and materialistic existence. As such, courage is an absolute and permanent good for collective human life. Specifically, Avramenko argues that when we risk "life and limb" for one another we reveal a fundamental care that binds our community together. Paradoxically, the same courage that brings humans together also drives us apart because courage is traditionally understood as manly, by definition, exclusionary, inegalitarian, and violent. Avramenko explores the efforts of political thinkers throughout history—such as Aristophanes, Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau, and Tocqueville—to reformulate courage so as to hold fast to all that is good about it while jettisoning that which is problematic. In addition to martial courage, the book looks at political courage, moral courage, and economic courage. Courage: The Politics of Life and Limb makes a vital contribution to the discipline of political science. Clearly and engagingly written, the book will be of particular interest to students and scholars of political theory, ethics, and gender studies. "In his ambitious book, Richard Avramenko has given us a profound and rigorous treatment of four important phases in the self-understanding of courage. Avramenko has done much more than provide a snapshot of the 'red badge of courage'; he has taken courage as a prism within which the history of political thought can be viewed. As a consequence, he has also shown how courage is more than a one-dimensional invocation, but a many-faceted virtue whose meaning remains inexhaustible. He has mapped the terrain with a mastery that will be difficult to surpass." —David John Walsh, The Catholic University of America
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2019-07-16
- 122 pages
- Paperback
- -
Similar books
-
Courage
By Bernard WaberWhat is courage? Certainly it takes courage for a firefighter to rescue someone trapped in a burning building, but there are many other kinds of courage too.
-
Profiles in Courage
By John F. KennedyDescribes the courage and conviction demonstrated by some great Americans
-
Choosing Courage: The Everyday Guide to Being Brave at Work
By Jim DetertWhether you’re looking to make a mark, stay true to your values, act with more integrity, or simply grow as a professional, this is the guide you need to achieve greater impact at work.
-
Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave
By Ryan HolidayNow, in the first book of an exciting new series on the cardinal virtues of ancient philosophy, Holiday explores the most foundational virtue of all: Courage.
-
I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience
By Susan VerdeWhen our minds tell us “I can’t,” we can look inside ourselves and find the strength to say, “Yes, I CAN!” From the New York Times bestselling team behind the I Am series comes a triumphant celebration of everyday courage: ...
-
Brave: 50 Everyday Acts of Courage to Thrive in Work, Love and Life
By Margie WarrellDay by day, brave action by brave action, you can Brave within you to create a life rich in all that you seek. If you want to live your life more powerfully and purposefully, this book will become your trusted companion.
-
Imperfect Courage: Live a Life of Purpose by Leaving Comfort and Going Scared
By Jessica HoneggerThis book is both an invitation and a challenge to bravely show up for ourselves, for the people we love, and for the strangers that we will one day call family.
-
Courage
By Barbara BinnsFor fans of Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander, a poignant and timely novel about race, class, and second chances.
-
Profiles in Courage
By John F. KennedyIncluded in this new edition, along with vintage photographs and an extensive author biography, are Kennedy's correspondence about the writing project, contemporary reviews of the book, a letter from Ernest Hemingway, and two rousing ...
-
Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice
By Jessica Gordon NembhardTo tell the story, Gordon Nembhard uses a variety of newspapers, period magazines, and journals; co-ops’ articles of incorporation, minutes from annual meetings, newsletters, budgets, and income statements; and scholarly books, memoirs, ...