Author Description
How can we think more deeply about travel? This was the thought that inspired Emily Thomas to journey into the philosophy of travel, to explore the places where philosophy and travel intersect. Part philosophical ramble, part memoir, The Meaning of Travel begins in the Age of Discovery in the sixteenth century, when philosophers first began thinking and writing seriously about travel It then meanders forward to encounter the thoughts of Montaigne on otherness, John Locke on cannibals, and Henry Thoreau on wilderness. On our travels with Emily Thomas, we discover the dark side of maps, how the philosophy of space fuelled mountain tourism, and why you should wash underwear in woodland cabins... We also confront profound questions, such as the debate on the ethics of 'doom tourism' (travel to doomed places such as glaciers or coral reefs), and how space travel might come to affect our understanding of human significance in a leviathan universe. The first ever history of the places where history and philosophy meet, this book will reshape your understanding of travel.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
How can we think more deeply about the act of travel through the lens of philosophical inquiry? Emily Thomas, a professional philosopher, investigates the historical and conceptual intersections between travel and philosophical thought. By synthesizing historical accounts from the Age of Discovery to modern space exploration, she constructs a framework for evaluating the ethics, significance, and cultural impact of human movement across the globe.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Historical analysis of philosophical perspectives on travel from the sixteenth century to the present
- Examination of thinkers including Montaigne, John Locke, and Henry Thoreau
- Ethical debates regarding modern phenomena such as doom tourism and space exploration
- Philosophical inquiries into the nature of space, maps, and wilderness
Scope Limits
- The text does not function as a traditional travel guide or practical manual for tourists
- It does not provide an exhaustive history of global exploration, focusing instead on the intellectual history of the travel experience
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and readers frequently note the accessible yet intellectually rigorous nature of the prose, which balances academic inquiry with personal reflection. Experts highlight this as a unique contribution to the philosophy of travel, bridging the gap between historical theory and contemporary travel ethics.
Page Count:
261
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0192572326
ISBN-13:
9780192572325
Philosophy
Travel
Non-Fiction
Essays
History of Ideas
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