Cavell, Williams and the Question of Style in Philosophy

This book considers the work of two philosophers situated within the anglo-american analytical tradition, Stanley Cavell (1926-2018) and Bernard Williams (1929-2003). It examines the literary strategies that these stylistically-aware authors employ and also the ethical demand which guides their philosophies and gives substance to their philosophical styles. The book thereby aims to demonstrate the importance of style in philosophy and suggest some of the intellectual dynamics a philosopher’s conscious awareness of style can create.

1: Introduction.- 2: Emersonian Perfectionist Writing in Philosophy.- 3: Through the Examples.- 4: Stylistic Methods.- 5: The Outsider and the Maverick.- 6: Two Quantitative Studies.- 7: Concluding (and Reopening) Remarks.

Dr Paolo Babbiotti holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of Turin, Italy.