Philosophy and Geography II: The Production of Public Space

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Description

The future of public space is uncertain. Although public spaces have become increasingly shabby and crowded, novel alternatives have appeared in the form of fantastic, semi-public pleasure grounds, developed by well-heeled, crowd-pleasing entrepreneurs and devoted to profit, consumption, and self-indulgence. Philosophers and geographers have converged on the topic of public space, fascinated and in many ways alarmed by fundamental changes in the way post-industrial societies produce space for public use, and in the way citizens of these same societies perceive and constitute themselves as a public. The contributors to this volume advance this inquiry, making extensive use of political and social theory. Philosophy and Geography II: The Production of Public Space gives readers an enhanced appreciation of the intimate connections between political principles, social processes, and the commonplaces of our everyday environments.

Reviews

It offers the prospect of an academic conversation across boundaries that have proven remarkably impervious to dialogue. The reader will encounter thought-provoking comments in a number of the essays. * Professional Geographer *
They show that both philosophers and geographers can benefit from listening to the epistemological, political, scientific, and ethical issues surrounding space and place that trouble each other. This lesson alone makes the journal an important read. * Environmental Ethics *

Author Bio

Andrew Light is assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Montana.

Jonathan M. Smith is associate professor of Geography at Texas A&M University.