Reviews
Keith Moser ’ s The Encyclopedic Philosophy of Michel Serres : Writing the Modern World and Anticipating the Future . Augusta , GA : Anaphora Literary Press , 2016 . By Kim Idol
In his assessment and presentation of the work and worldview of renegade French philosopher Michel Serres , Keith Moser gives us such an energetic and engaging view of this modern philosopher that readers will feel compelled to read all of Serres ’ s works . This is a comprehensive introduction to a philosopher who has confronted common definitions of humanity and reinvigorated the study of the symbiotic relationships admired by human beings at their own peril . Serres ’ s philosophy is smart and entrancing in its own right , but so is Moser ’ s take on what he has read and what he hopes you will read in the future . In his description of Serres ’ s interdisciplinary intentions Moser sets standards of his own . He encourages you therefore , to move beyond the scope of this book as he presents his arguments .
Moser first defines what is wrong with contemporary epistemology in general . He defines philosophy , in his and Serres ’ terms , as an organic and lively mix of ideologies comprised of conclusions drawn from a wide variety of intellectual disciplines . But Moser ’ s book is not stuffy , and in fact offers easily digestible access to complicated ideas that general readers and academics both will appreciate . Notably , it posits and defends the position that human beings must live in concert with the world they now “ command ” and offers a complex view of stewardship that is intelligent , frightening , and heartening .
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