In the first systematic study of the philosophy of <strong>Thomas Nagel</strong> Alan Thomasdiscusses Nagels contrast between the subjective and the objective p... » 

In the first systematic study of the philosophy of Thomas Nagel Alan Thomasdiscusses Nagels contrast between the subjective and the objective pointsof view throughout the various areas of his wide ranging philosophy. Nagelsoriginal and distinctive contrast between the subjective view and ouraspiration to a view from nowhere within metaphysics structures the chaptersof the book. A new Humean in epistemology Nagel takes philosophicalscepticism to be both irrefutable and yet to indicate a profound truth aboutour capacity for selftranscendence. The contrast between subjective andobjective views is then considered in the case of the mind where consciousnessproves to be the central aspect of mind that contemporary theorising fails toacknowledge adequately. The second half of the book analyses Nagels work onmoral and political philosophy where he has been most deeply influential.Topics covered include the contrast between agentrelative and agentneutralreasons and values Nagels distinctive version of a hybrid ethical theory hisdiscussion of lifes meaningfulness and finally his sceptical arguments aboutwhether a liberal society can reconcile the conflicting moral demands of selfand other. «