Overview

In Philosophical Essays on Free Stuff, Robyn Ferrell depicts figures of freedom in consumer culture, a world made image by the internet and globalization. Through word and image associations, Ferrell links the question of ""free"" to the effects of instrumentalism in the political sphere. The discussion proceeds through these images which allow the question to come into focus through diverse perspectives. Each essay is autonomous, and all are linked. Grounded in critical theory, continental philosophy, and cultural studies, Ferrell explores ideas of free gift, free thought, free time, free choice, free love, free market, free speech, and free world.

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9781793603623

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Reviews

Ferrell's work is consistently of the highest quality. She brings together sophisticated philosophical ideas and important cultural phenomena in an accessible way. --Kelly Oliver, Vanderbilt University It is sometimes said of a book that it 'wrote itself'--meaning it was easy to write. I would say of this book that it reads itself , meaning it is very easy--and pleasurable--to read. It is witty and humorous ... It shows great erudition but this is worn so lightly that many would not even note it--others will read with added pleasure through the recognition of the many references to Freud, Lacan, feminist theory, Derrida, Levi-Strauss, political philosophy (perhaps more how the chess player, philosopher, or logician might read Alice in Wonderland) ... It is beautifully written. --Moira Gatens, University of Sydney Ferrell is as light-footed as a funambulist in these essays that probe the possibilities of a new way of doing philosophy. Eschewing the authority of the academy and its dead generic forms, she embraces a sideways vision and a figurative mode of thinking to brilliantly unpick the associative logic of the image and its relentless remaking of the world into the image of the commodity. Brilliantly lucid, endlessly playful and deadly serious, Ferrell helps us confront the urgent global task of refashioning what we value. --Jennifer Rutherford, Adelaide University

Ferrell is as light-footed as a funambulist in these essays that probe the possibilities of a new way of doing philosophy. Eschewing the authority of the academy and its dead generic forms, she embraces a sideways vision and a figurative mode of thinking to brilliantly unpick the associative logic of the image and its relentless remaking of the world into the image of the commodity. Brilliantly lucid, endlessly playful and deadly serious, Ferrell helps us confront the urgent global task of refashioning what we value. --Jennifer Rutherford, Adelaide University

Author Information

Robyn Ferrell is adjunct professor at the Centre for Law, Art and Humanities at the Australian National University and in gender & cultural studies at the University of Sydney.

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