Climbing - Philosophy for Everyone: Because It's There

by Series Editor: Fritz Allhoff (Western Michigan University, The Nanoethics Group); Editor: Stephen E. Schmid (University of Wisconsin - Rock County); Foreword by: Hans Florine

• ISBN13: 9781444327724
• ISBN10: 1444327720
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2010-08-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

Both climbing and philosophy are serious endeavors. However, if you make a mistake while engaging in philosophy, it may be ego-bruising, but it won’t kill you. In mountain and rock climbing, even the simplest error in judgment can be life threatening. Given the inherent risks of most climbing pursuits, why would anyone subject themselves to “tying in”? What does the risk bring? Is it ever justified? And why do so many non-climbers find the inherent risks of climbing unacceptable? Climbing – Philosophy for Everyone presents a thought-provoking collection of new essays that not only address the issue of why climbers engage in such an intrinsically risky pursuit, but also plunge into the philosophical void to consider such intellectually stimulating topics as: *Character traits that climbing develops and that are most valuable for summit quests *Ethical debates pertaining to rules defining climbing styles and ethics of free soloing *Concerns about climbers’ impact on the environment and the manufacturing of holds *The hazards in evaluating one's own climbing abilities *Climbing culture as a gift economy and the sheer beauty of climbing

Demonstrating the rich connections between climbing and philosophical reflection, Climbing – Philosophy for Everyone invites us to ponder aspects of behavior that can give deeper meaning to the challenges and struggles of everyday life.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Philosophizing Into the Void: An Introduction to Climbing - Philosophy for Everyone

Tying In: Why Risk Climbing

Climbing and the Stoic Conception of Freedom

Risk and Reward: Is Climbing Worth It?

Why Climb?

Jokers on the Mountain: In Defense of Gratuitous Risk

Quest for the Summit: Cultivating the Climber

High Aspirations: Climbing and Self-Cultivation

More Than Meets the "I": Values of Dangerous Sport

Mountaineering and the Value of Self-Sufficiency

It Ain't Fast Food: An Authentic Climbing Experience

Zen and the Art of Climbing

Cutting the Rope: Climbing Ethics

Freedom and Individualism on the Rocks

Hold Manufacturing: Why You May Be Wrong About What's Right

The Ethics of Free Soloing

Making Mountains Out of Heaps: Environmental Protection One Stone at a Time

Mixed Climbing: Philosophy on Varied Terrain

From Route Finding to Redpointing: Climbing Culture as a Gift Economy

Are You Experienced?: What You Don't Know About Your Climbing Experience

What Is a Climbing Grade Anyway?

The Beauty of a Climb

Climbing Glossary

Notes on Contributors

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.