Nasty, Brutish, and Short Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids

His kids are Hank whom we heard Hershovitz speaking with a moment ago and Rex

Why are some words bad the idea that they could be bothered me as a kid words are strings of sounds How could sounds be bad? But of course words aren't just strings of sound They're strings of sound to which we attach meaning and yet it's not the meaning of words that makes them bad either

I wrote the book in part to call people's attention to that

Change won't come easy, but there are many ways to make things better We could limit at will employment we could give workers a role in workplace governance so that their interests are taken into account We could also change the context in which we work by guaranteeing a basic income in health care so that no one feels forced to work for an abusive employer

Somehow lots of Americans have been convinced that government handouts hamper freedom The truth is providing for people's basic needs promotes freedom it makes it possible for people to say no to a boss who would treat them badly

The book basically follows a series of philosophical conversations that Scott has with his two precocious sons Rex and Hank.

It 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.

Scott just does an incredible job writing this book.

Even if you don't have kids it's just a great philosophy book.