Whose Freedom?
The Battle Over America's Most Important Idea
FSG, 2006
Category:
Economics & Politics
Get the summary
Subscribe today and dramatically increase your business knowledge in your own time and at an affordable rate. Our summaries will update your skills, jump-start your career and put you ahead of the pack. Learn how to thrive in every aspect of your professional life.
getAbstract rating
| Overall |
|
(7)Applicability |
|
Innovation |
|
Style |
|
(5)
(8)| Level of Expertise |
|
In this summary you will learn
- How cognitive science says the brain processes words and thoughts
- Why progressives and conservatives are debating the definition of "freedom"
- How their ideas differ
- Why this fight matters
Why you should read Whose Freedom?
This is an impassioned, partisan essay about the definition of the word "freedom" from the perspective of a cognitive scientist and political liberal. George Lakoff's book starts as an interesting, thought-provoking argument that uses scientific insights to deconstruct the conservative position. In the end, however, he does not explain how today's raging debates will change American political discourse. His enumeration of the differences between progressives (liberals) and conservatives becomes tedious at times, since it's clear which side he takes. He addresses the book to progressives like himself - basically preaching to the choir. Nevertheless, getAbstract recommends this intelligent discussion to people across the political spectrum and, in particular, to communication professionals who wish to examine how the medium shapes the message - even on a neurological level.
About the author
George Lakoff is a professor of cognitive science and linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. His books include Don't Think of an Elephant!; Moral Politics; Women, Fire and Dangerous Things and Metaphors We Live By (with Mark Johnson).
If you wish to purchase 20 or more copies of this title (not the summary, but the actual book), please contact us at info@getAbstract.com. Make sure you include the title of the book and your phone number.
getAbstract makes it easy for you to access the summary of Whose Freedom? any time or any place. Once registered, you can choose from a variety of download formats: PDF for your computer, BlackBerry, iPhone, Kindle, PDA or other handheld devices. You can even obtain the audio version of many of our summaries.
Subscribe today to gain access to this summary as well as many other compelling titles!