Best Book Publishers UK | Austin Macauley Publishers
  • Shakespeares Philosophical Theatre
    Paperback
    Shakespeares Philosophical Theatre
    Michael R D James

    Is Shakespeare a philosophical playwright or not? T S Eliot suggests he is not, a point of view which this work disagrees with. The reason he has not been identified as a philosophical artist is because of the modern philosophical view of aesthetics, which is at odds with both Aristotelian and Kantian views. Freudian and Kleinian psychoanalytical concepts are used to analyse the “enveloping” qualities of his productions as well as the aesthetic result. Shakespeare has an awareness of what happens in life when the balance of the mind of an agent is disturbed by mental illness and he demonstrates the grasp of this problem in several of his most famous plays. He also has a deep understanding of the psychology of the tyrant and the large-scale consequences which follow from this.

     

    Kant argues that beauty and the sublime are “symbols of morality”: a judgement that requires an analysis of both symbolism and the metaphysics of morality if it is to be fully understood. Shakespeare’s work is described as “cosmopolitan”, and this attractive characteristic is linked to what is described as the “hidden plan” for civilisation: a plan aiming at the Aristotelian hylomorphic essence-specifying-definition of man as a “rational animal capable of discourse”. The commentaries of Wilson Knight and Harold Bloom are also philosophically evaluated from a philosophical point of view.

    £10.99
  • Literary and Spiritual Practices
    Paperback
    Literary and Spiritual Practices
    John Anthony Raymaker

    African writers, including novelists and those who have specialised in the social sciences, are not sufficiently known in Europe, Asia and the United States. This book seeks to remedy this lack. It explores meaning and the human good as constitutive of human communities as advocated in the writings of African authors and other authors who have specialised in African history and the exploitation of Africans for the past several centuries. It also invokes Bernard Lonergan’s books, Insight and Method in Theology, to supply the background interdisciplinary method in forming the authors’ approach.

    £9.99
  • A Theory of Law
    Paperback
    A Theory of Law
    Samuel Ley

    From the science of evolution and consciousness to the rule of law and truth, A Theory of Law presents an original theory of law with a wide variety of insights into the fundamentals of legal theory.In A Theory of Law, the long-term debate between legal positivists and natural law theorists is solved in favour of the latter, with the effect that unjust state action does not amount to valid law. Whilst legal positivists argue that state action can amount to law regardless of how unjust it is, A Theory of Law argues that such a position is significantly lacking both in intellectual rigour and in truth.The heart of this matter concerns the nature of truth, and, with this in mind, a definition of truth is given. Truth, it is suggested, is not neutral as between good and evil, so legal truth must be an expression of the good.With a variety of important ideas in a form easily accessible to those without legal training, students and established scholars, A Theory of Law is a must-read for those interested in widening their knowledge of the nature of the laws which govern our society.

    £14.99
  • Innocence of Mind
    Paperback
    Innocence of Mind
    James Dooley

    This collection of stories centres on the evolution and state of modern society and explores the influences that science and education have on the psychology of youth.


    It is my hope that by sharing my life experiences, I might inspire new, different, and interesting ways to be…


    …when have you last thought about how you think? Or, when was the last time you were wondering where your dreams come from? And then, have you ever wondered if thinking and/or dreaming have any real significance at all?


    According to the stories in this book, “thinking and dreaming” are the foundations of being yourself, being creative, and nurturing a healthy mind/body spirit. Also, the stories within offer new ways to expand the imagination, to see different possibilities, and to go beyond the obvious. Indeed, these stories hope to inspire higher levels of being who you actually are, or better yet, who you might want to be.

    £6.99
  • The Complexity of Being Human
    Paperback
    The Complexity of Being Human
    Eric Louw

    The Complexity of Being Human is a thoughtful exploration of personal reflections and beliefs. It delves into the diversity of humanity and the ways in which people interact as they strive for harmony, respect, and acceptance.

    The variety within Homo Sapiens shapes the outcomes of these interactions. It influences not only harmony and respect but also conflict, religion, cruelty, and joy. Ultimately, the book argues that the ability to accommodate and accept one another is the true foundation for a better, more compassionate world.

    £10.99
  • Principles of Persuasion
    Paperback
    Principles of Persuasion
    Rashad Kheir

    In a world where opinions are plentiful and voices compete for attention, Principles of Persuasion offers a measured and thoughtful exploration of the delicate art of changing minds, not through loud insistence, but through gentle persuasion.Drawing upon the enduring traditions of logic, rhetoric, and the ever-shifting influence of circumstance, this work examines the subtle forces that shape belief, inspire agreement, and guide human decision. It is not a treatise on manipulation, but a meditation upon persuasion as a refined craft, an exchange between speaker and listener.Witty in its reflections, yet gracious in its tone, it reveals that true persuasion is neither a matter of force nor a matter of flattery, but a cultivated art founded on integrity, clarity, and mutual respect. These pages offer not a manual of tricks, but an invitation to influence with honour and purpose.Let this be your invitation to persuade and influence with its enduring principles.

    £6.99
  • Humankind and the Universe, Creator or Coincidence
    Paperback
    Humankind and the Universe, Creator or Coincidence
    Abdulhay Abbass

    If one were to reflect on the course of their life, they would find that much of it is shaped by coincidence rather than conscious decision. We do not choose the place of our birth, the identity of our parents, or the society we belong to, yet these factors exert the greatest influence on our future.


    We have no say in the color of our skin, the language we speak, the faith we inherit, the nationality we carry, or the homeland we call our own. And yet, these elements form the essence of our identity, neither by merit nor by fault of our own.


    As for our careers, they often unfold as paths laid before us by time rather than deliberate choices. We follow them without fully grasping their implication, and they come to define a significant portion of our lives.


    Marriage, too, a seemingly personal choice, is often dictated by circumstances and chance encounters that lead us to a partner with whom we paint the canvas of our future.


    So, is life merely the sum of coincidences? Or is there an unseen force of destiny steering us toward an inevitable fate?


    Are we programmed from birth, moving through life according to a predetermined script? Or do we possess a degree of freedom, enough to give us the illusion of choice while remaining unaware of the boundaries we can never cross, boundaries that make us believe the space we navigate is the entirety of existence?


    How can we discern whether our thoughts and emotions are confined within an invisible cage, one that restricts our perception of the world? What if the reality we see is but a fraction of a much vaster existence, one that remains beyond our reach, hidden from our senses and understanding?


    I lean toward believing in the duality, a blend of predestination and free will, a constrained liberty that allows us to move within limits defined by the strength of our wings.

    £8.99
  • The Road to Freedom
    Paperback
    The Road to Freedom
    Bruce Robertson

    In The Road to Freedom, Bruce Robertson presents a groundbreaking philosophical journey that challenges conventional thought and seeks to uncover the foundations of understanding.

    Drawing from his scientific background in physics and astronomy, Robertson constructs a new paradigm – The Pattern Paradigm – that critiques the limitations of traditional Western philosophy. This model offers a fresh perspective by linking diverse fields such as consciousness, decision-making, science, and ethics into a cohesive and logical framework. Through a blend of rigorous analysis and accessible insights, the book aims to simplify complex ideas and create a unified vision of reality.

    From the origins of thought to the nature of freedom, The Road to Freedom offers a rigorous yet accessible exploration of profound questions, illuminating the intricate patterns that underpin our existence. This book is an essential guide for anyone seeking a deeper, more integrated understanding of the universe and our place within it.

    £15.99
  • Of(f) Course Minister
    Paperback
    Of(f) Course Minister
    Sean Innis

    Responsible government is a simple idea. Under it, public servants are responsible to ministers, ministers are responsible to the parliament, and parliament to the people.

    This simple idea underpins parliamentary democracies worldwide. Yet deep inside government, an awkward truth is emerging. Rather than supporting responsible government, the relationships between ministers, public servants and the parliament are undermining it.

    Of(f) Course, Minister takes us behind the closed doors of one of the world’s most successful and stable democracies. It examines how a nation formed on Westminster principles is drifting away from the north star of responsible government. It explains why this is happening, what it means for the way government works, and what can be done about it.

    Sean Innis brings a blend of insight and humour to his tale. The story he tells is uniquely Australian. But it is one which holds lessons for democracies everywhere.

    £10.99
  • Campaign for Open Science with Spirituality without a Big Bang
    Paperback
    Campaign for Open Science with Spirituality without a Big Bang
    John Kapp

    This groundbreaking book invites world leaders to follow science, yet urges an open dialogue in the pursuit of truth, steering clear of Big Pharma’s marketing propaganda. John delves into how the universe perpetually reinvents itself in a Steady State, eschewing the traditional big bang theory, through his father’s concept of ‘symmetrical impermanence’ (SI). He posits that Jupiter was once a binary twin to the sun, which, after collapsing in a supernova, gave birth to the planets.John tackles Chalmers’ ‘hard’ problem of consciousness using the wave-particle interchangeability (WPI) principle found in electromagnetic fields—the same principle that powers cell phones. He theorizes that the music of life emanates from primary energy as electromagnetic waves, which coalesce into a ‘One Mind’ comprising a nested hierarchy of sub-minds. According to his theory, our brains transform these waves into protons, constructing our bodies with conscious awareness and enabling us to experience and adapt to hostile environments.He advocates for a Campaign for Open Science and Medicine (COSAM) to foster a shift towards holistic thinking, aiming to safeguard humanity’s future.

    £17.99
  • The Role of Rhetoric in Politics and the Media
    Paperback
    The Role of Rhetoric in Politics and the Media
    Allan Anforth

    The rise of rhetoric is a danger to liberal democracies and a powerful tool for the would-be autocrat. The danger lies in the ease with which sizeable parts of the population are persuaded to adopt the most implausible propositions, on the basis of nothing more than the assertions of a self-interested orator. On a daily basis it is these same techniques that drive all manner of conspiracy theories.The author hopes that by listing and explaining some of these rhetorical devices, the more gullible members of the public may recognise when they are being manipulated and resist it

    £9.99
  • In Search of the Lost Eros
    Paperback
    In Search of the Lost Eros
    Loreta Iftinchi

    In Search of the Lost Eros is a meditation on love and its challenges in our modern times. This book pairs literary and philosophical quotations from many renowned authors with the author’s own reflections trying to create a framework for contemplation on the predicament of love today.What is love, really? What is the cosmic Eros that ‘moves the sun and the other stars’? Is this the same love that forms the essence of our deepest being? Is falling in love a form of madness? Is love blind or visionary? Does it inevitably cause suffering? And what about marriage – must we stay together at all costs until death do us part? What are the challenges of sexuality today? What distinguishes erotic art from pornography?These are some of the questions this essay seeks to explore, offering answers that are necessarily incomplete, while hoping to inspire readers to gain their own insights into these inexhaustible topics.Mystics of the major spiritual traditions have always maintained that our spiritual essence is love and that we ultimately cannot lose it. Yet, many modern individuals feel that genuine love is missing from their lives. This book aims to make a modest contribution to rediscovering some of the lost Eros that we all so ardently long for.

    £13.99

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