Nasty, Brutish, and Short
Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids
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Narrated by:
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Scott Hershovitz
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By:
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Scott Hershovitz
About this listen
An NPR Best Book of 2022 * One of Christian Science Monitor's 10 best books of May
“This amazing new book . . . takes us on a journey through classic and contemporary philosophy powered by questions like ‘What do we have the right to do? When is it okay to do this or that?’ They explore punishment and authority and sex and gender and race and the nature of truth and knowledge and the existence of God and the meaning of life and Scott just does an incredible job.” —Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic
Some of the best philosophers in the world gather in surprising places—preschools and playgrounds. They debate questions about metaphysics and morality, even though they’ve never heard those words and can’t tie their shoes. They’re kids. And as University of Michigan professor of philosophy and law Scott Hershovitz shows, they can help grown-ups solve some of life’s greatest mysteries.
Hershovitz has two young sons, Rex and Hank. From the time they could talk, he noticed that they raised philosophical questions and tried to answer them. They re-created ancient arguments and advanced entirely new ones. That’s not unusual, Hershovitz says. Every kid is a philosopher.
Powered by questions like: Does Hank have the right to drink soda? Is it ever okay to swear? and, Does the number six exist? the Hershovitzes take us on a fun romp through classic and contemporary philosophy. If we join kids on philosophical adventures, Hershovitz argues, we can become sharper thinkers and recapture their wonder at the world.
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Critic reviews
“Hershovitz . . . mixes wit and wisdom in this thoroughly enjoyable philosophical tour that uses conversations with the author’s two sons to demonstrate that 'anyone can do philosophy and every kid does’ . . . Fun anecdotes abound, and Hershovitz demonstrates how to engage children by taking them seriously, teaching them to ask questions, and encouraging them to explore the world—things adults can learn from, as well. This sincere and smart account puts to rest the idea that philosophy belongs in academia’s ivory tower.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"By wryly recounting conversations he has with Rex and Hank during bath time, before bed, on the way to and home from school, Hershovitz sets out to prove that philosophy, like inquisitive, rowdy children, can offer illuminating insights . . . From his perspective, a mind that's most receptive to complexities and compassion would likely belong to a child, someone, I presume, a lot like the little prince in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's unforgettable classic. Perhaps Hershovitz is like the fox figure who tells the little prince (and us) his ‘simple secret,’ that ‘it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’" —Thúy Đinh, NPR
“Let us not ignore the radical nature of this. A philosopher, a man, has written a whole book arguing that the setting of the home and the daily act of parenting can lead to profound philosophical insight and debate . . . Hershovitz’s book has already enhanced my philosophical conversations with my children . . . I learn so much from these conversations, intellectually and—a territory philosophy tends to avoid—emotionally.” —Elissa Strauss, The Atlantic
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As a progressive commentator on Fox News and now CNN, Sally Kohn has made a career out of bridging intractable political differences, learning how to talk civilly to people whose views she disagrees with passionately. Famously "nice", she even gave a TED Talk about what she termed emotional correctness. But these days, even Kohn has found herself wanting to breathe fire at her enemies. It was time, she decided, to look into the ugliness erupting all around us.
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Profoundly insightful, important, and digestible.
- By Scott on 04-24-18
By: Sally Kohn
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Patriarchy Blues
- Reflections on Manhood
- By: Frederick Joseph
- Narrated by: Preston Butler III, Novell Jordan
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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In this thought-provoking collection of essays, poems, and short reflections, Frederick Joseph contemplates these questions and more as he explores issues of masculinity and patriarchy from both a personal and cultural standpoint. From fatherhood, and “manning up” to abuse and therapy, he fearlessly and thoughtfully tackles the complex realities of men’s lives today and their significance for society, lending his insights as a Black man.
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Great read!
- By BlissfullyT on 11-15-23
By: Frederick Joseph
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Created Equal
- Clarence Thomas in His Own Words
- By: Michael Pack, Mark Paoletta
- Narrated by: Charles Constant, Shamaan Casey, Pamela Klein
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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Born into dire poverty in the segregated South and abandoned by his father as a child, Justice Clarence Thomas triumphed over seemingly insurmountable odds to become one of the most influential justices on the Supreme Court. Yet after three decades of honorable service, few know him beyond his contentious confirmation and the surrounding media firestorm. Who is Justice Clarence Thomas, in his own words? Created Equal builds on dozens of hours of groundbreaking one-on-one interviews with Thomas to share a new, expanded account of his powerful story for the first time.
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Justice Thomas, the epitome of a “Real American Man”!
- By the walton's on 06-23-22
By: Michael Pack, and others
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Mindwise
- Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want
- By: Nicholas Epley
- Narrated by: Nicholas Epley
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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You are a mind reader, born with an extraordinary ability to understand what others think, feel, believe, want, and know. It's a sixth sense you use every day, in every personal and professional relationship you have. At its best, this ability allows you to achieve the most important goal in almost any life: connecting, deeply and intimately and honestly, to other human beings. At its worst, it is a source of misunderstanding and unnecessary conflict, leading to damaged relationships and broken dreams. How good are you at knowing the minds of others?
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Finally gave up - no real point
- By Thomas on 05-12-14
By: Nicholas Epley
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Letters to a Young Sister
- By: Harper Hill
- Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Winner of two NAACP awards for his writing, bestselling author Hill Harper is an acclaimed actor known for his role on CSI: NY. A Brown University and Harvard Law School alum, Harper is also a passionate public servant. In this book he offers comforting advice for today's youth through his own wisdom as well as that of such luminaries as Michelle Obama and Angela Bassett.
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Keep writing young brother.
- By Charles Henderson on 03-02-10
By: Harper Hill
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Feminists Don't Wear Pink and Other Lies
- Amazing Women on What the F-Word Means to Them
- By: Scarlett Curtis - curator
- Narrated by: Rosie Akerman, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Grace Campbell, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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A diverse group of celebrities, activists, and artists open up about what feminism means to them, with the goal of helping listeners come to their own personal understanding of the word.
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4.5/5 Estrellas
- By Airy on 01-27-21
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Have a New You by Friday
- How to Accept Yourself, Boost Your Confidence & Change Your Life in 5 Days
- By: Kevin Leman
- Narrated by: Wayne Shepherd
- Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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How many times have you tried to change your own habits, only to find that changing yourself is even harder than trying to change someone else? With his signature wit and commonsense psychology, Dr. Kevin Leman walks you through your own personal five-day action plan. You will come to accept the truth about yourself, boost your confidence by identifying the lies you’re telling yourself (and putting them to rest for good), and change your life by concentrating on becoming who you really want to be.
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Wrong title?
- By Marianne on 03-25-11
By: Kevin Leman
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How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life
- An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness
- By: Russ Roberts
- Narrated by: Don Hagen
- Length: 5 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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In How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life, Roberts examines Smith’s forgotten masterpiece, and finds a treasure trove of timeless, practical wisdom. Smith’s insights into human nature are just as relevant today as they were 300 years ago. What does it take to be truly happy? Should we pursue fame and fortune or the respect of our friends and family? How can we make the world a better place?
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Hard to distinguish Roberts from Smith in reading
- By Amazing Customer on 03-31-15
By: Russ Roberts
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The Game Theorist’s Guide to Parenting
- How the Science of Strategic Thinking Can Help You Deal with the Toughest Negotiators You Know - Your Kids
- By: Paul Raeburn, Kevin Zollman
- Narrated by: Paul Raeburn, Kevin Zollman
- Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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As every parent knows, kids are surprisingly clever negotiators. But how can we avoid those all-too-familiar wails, "That's not fair!" and "You can't make me!"? In The Game Theorist's Guide to Parenting, journalist Paul Raeburn and game theorist Kevin Zollman pair up to highlight tactics from the worlds of economics and business that can help parents break the endless cycle of quarrels and ineffective solutions.
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Easy and applicable insight on Game Theory
- By VerN on 01-05-18
By: Paul Raeburn, and others
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When Your Best Isn't Good Enough
- By: Kevin Leman
- Narrated by: Chris Fabry
- Length: 7 hrs
- Unabridged
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Some people feel they don't measure up to anyone's expectations. As a result, they tend to procrastinate, set unrealistic goals, or continually try to please others. With the positive, no-nonsense strategies offered in When Your Best Isn't Good Enough, listeners can raise their low self-perception and overcome these feelings of rejection and inadequacy.
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Therapy
- By E.M.Knight on 03-25-19
By: Kevin Leman
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The Curmudgeon's Guide to Getting Ahead
- Dos and Don'ts of Right Behavior, Tough Thinking, Clear Writing, and Living a Good Life
- By: Charles Murray
- Narrated by: Charles Murray
- Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Best-selling social historian Charles Murray has written a delightfully fussy - and entertaining - book on the hidden rules of the road in the workplace - and in life - from the standpoint of an admonishing, but encouraging, workplace grouch and taskmaster. Why the curmudgeon? The fact is that most older, more senior people in the workplace are closet curmudgeons. In today's politically correct world, they may hide their displeasure over your misuse of grammar or your overly familiar use of their first name without an express invitation. But don't be fooled by their pleasant demeanor....
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Good Book: From one curmudgeon to another
- By DaWoolf on 05-22-14
By: Charles Murray
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Coming Out Atheist
- How to Do It, How to Help Each Other, and Why
- By: Greta Christina
- Narrated by: Greta Christina
- Length: 14 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Coming out as an atheist is a powerful, liberating act. It makes life better for you, for other atheists, and for the world. But telling people you're an atheist can be risky. What are the best ways to do it? And how can we help each other take this step? In this compassionate, friendly, down-to-earth how-to guide, popular author of Why Are You Atheists So Angry? 99 Things That Piss Off the Godless and blogger Greta Christina, offers concrete strategies and guiding philosophies for coming out as an atheist.
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All the Motivation You'll Need
- By Susie on 05-07-14
By: Greta Christina
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Grow a Pair
- How to Stop Being a Victim and Take Back Your Life, Your Business, and Your Sanity
- By: Larry Winget
- Narrated by: Larry Winget
- Length: 3 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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The straight-talking, best-selling author and Pitbull of Personal Development is back with a pithy and prescriptive guide to success. A five-time best-selling author and one of the country's leading business speakers, Larry has made a reputation for being the first to challenge the positive-attraction gurus and the law-of-attraction bozos with his commonsense approach to success. Larry doesn't sugar-coat, and he isn't afraid to make people uncomfortable, because he wants us to stop making excuses, and start getting results.
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half the book is him saying "grow a pair"
- By Dustin on 01-08-14
By: Larry Winget
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Bozo Sapiens
- Why to Err Is Human
- By: Michael Kaplan, Ellen Kaplan
- Narrated by: Victor Bevine
- Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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Our species, it appears, is hardwired to get things wrong in myriad different ways. Why did recipients of a loan offer accept a higher rate of interest when a pretty woman's face was printed on the flyer? Why did one poll on immigration find the most despised aliens were ones from a group that did not exist? What made four of the Air Force's best pilots fly their planes, in formation, straight into the ground?
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A tour de force
- By Ivan on 07-05-11
By: Michael Kaplan, and others
What listeners say about Nasty, Brutish, and Short
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Michael W Ramsey
- 08-26-22
Enlightening and interesting
I heard the author interviewed on Freakonomics and knew I would like the book, but it actually exceeded my expectations. It’s a combination of sweet and serious. It delves into most of the major topics of philosophy through the eyes of children and their innate way of picking out the thorniest questions of existence. The best thing I could say is that it changed how I relate to my philosopher 4-year-old.
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- jms
- 08-08-22
What every teacher should read and assign families.
This author does an outstanding job of surveying how valuable and accessible philosophy for all can be…and with welcome humor, weight of importance, and humility for such a remarkable contributor to the Usonian legal world. This is both masterpiece and handbook. My students will probably enjoy it more than they ever enjoyed anything else since as this book argues-they are born philosophers (and I hope to keep them in a state of searching for knowledge and wisdom through this book.)
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-01-22
Engaging and fun
This is a wonderful read for anyone who wants a light-hearted introduction to philosophy. I enjoyed how he tied philosophical ponderings to his conversations with his kids as it reminds me of the curiosity and willingness I had to just sit and ponder as a child. I definitely recommend it for casual walks, long drives, or plane rides.
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- Vanessa
- 08-12-22
Good narration, solid listen
I enjoyed all the fun stories of the author’s children and it helped me get a sense of how I can incorporate philosophical questioning with every day topics/scenarios with my children. I also liked how he incorporated famous philosophical stories/paradoxes as well. Wasn’t too interested in the chapters on race, gender, God etc… but I can appreciate that those are hot topics and will be of interest to others.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Church of John Elway
- 09-04-22
Great recap of a bunch of major threads in philosophy
I was a philosophy major many years ago. I'm rusty and behind on the field, but this is a great summary of a lot of the major questions and some of the more influential answers.
I appreciate the synthesis of classical answers (Descartes, Hume, Kant, etc.) with more modern thinkers. He also does better than my faculty did of bringing in diverse voices, long since past (often unknown until more recently) and present day. Would have liked to see more famous black feminist theorists whose non-admission to the "philosopher" club is IMO a real problem (Patricia Hill Collins and bell hooks, for instance), especially given the reasonably sound discussion of race where they have especially good, unique insights. (And given that other disciplines are represented here.) But he does better than most cis white guy philosophers with not just citing other cis white guys.
I also appreciate the author's humility and focus on methods and disputes instead of just giving us his answers. We could all use more of that approach, for sure.
The convos with his boys are obviously edited for brevity and clarity, and if you can't stand children the hook may be annoying. But I thought it was sincere and charming, and that it added to the book.
Add in solid narration and this is a 5 star listen all around!
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- Raskolnikov757
- 02-28-23
Epic
Loved every word. A nice reminder of how best to engage my kids while ensuring they remain open-minded.
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- J Sims
- 10-02-24
Lighthearted Philosophy
A thought provoking casual discussion about philosophy and how even kids can be a window into this seemingly complex world
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- Therese Robertson
- 09-15-22
Philosophy matters
The author made philosophy accessible. His boys made philosophy relevant by bringing it into conversation in the midst of their everyday lives. It becomes a way to understand our experience as human beings well as as mental discipline. What a gift of clear, deep thinking. Read it!
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- Andrea H
- 11-21-22
Great way to stop and think
I loved questioning my ideas, actions, and philosophy. I have small children, love them, and have intrinsic parenting values. However, I love the new view points that I learned about how to interact with a better and in a more respectful manner.
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-03-23
Touching Read
Fun to listen to, heartwarming, and sweet. Reads as cozy philosophy and nice reminder of how kids see the world and how to capture that mindset.
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