Three years ago, Aaron
James published a book titled Assholes: A Theory according to which
“A person counts as an asshole when, and only when, he systematically allows
himself to enjoy special advantages in interpersonal relations out of an
entrenched sense of entitlement that immunizes him against the complaints of
other people.” In simple words, an
asshole is a person who takes every advantage, thinks himself superior to all
others, and is immune to criticism.
Most of our politicians
belong to that category, in case you are looking for examples.
Now James has come up with
a new book: Assholes: A Theory of Donald Trump.
Aaron James is not a popular
writer who seeks to entertain the readers with hackneyed humour. He is a professor of philosophy. The first book in which he explains his
theory of assholes is an erudite work drawing heavily on philosophers such as
Plato, Kant, Rousseau and Hobbes.
Politics creates assholes
necessarily. Politics is about power and
no one but an asshole can be interested in imposing himself on others (which is
what power means in practical terms).
Since I haven’t read the
book yet, I can’t speak more about it.
But I am amused by the entire concept.
The books are available at
Amazon.in. [Check out in the top right
corner of this blog.]
Interesting..!
ReplyDeleteFunny,isn't it?
DeleteSounds like a good read,
ReplyDeletePhilosophical humour, it must be.
DeleteTrump-holes....!
ReplyDeleteYes, James cuts Trump into pieces and reveals the hollowness, as I understand.
DeleteI want to read this book. Particularly the first one. Donald Trump is beyond reading about. Thanks for this :)
ReplyDeleteThe first one is the real theory. The second is theory applied to Trump. Your choice is better especially since Trump means little to Non-Americans.
Deletelol It was an very un-Tomichan Matheikal title :) author how sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteSee how even philosophy is becoming so frustrated that it takes recourse to coarse expressions. How can I, a feeble being, escape the poison in the air? 😑
Delete