How much faith should we place in what scientists tell us? Is it possible for scientific knowledge to be fully "objective"? What, really, can be defined as science? In the second edition of this very short introduction, Samir Okasha explores the main themes and theories of contemporary philosophy of science and investigates fascinating, challenging questions such as these.

【内容紹介】ダヴィンチにはフランソワ1世、ミケランジェロにはユリウス2世というように、ルネッサンス期における芸術家たちの活躍の背景には、彼らを支援した庇護者の姿がありました。職人と芸術家の区別もなかった時代背景を踏まえ、両者の関係を美術史研究の権威である高階秀爾氏がユニークに解説します。【講師紹介】美術評論家 高階秀爾- 1932年生まれ。ルネッサンス以後の西洋美術を専門としながら、日本近代美術にも造詣が深い。著書『名画を見る眼』『芸術のパトロンたち』など多数。

In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, the renowned philosopher Roger Scruton explores the concept of beauty, asking what makes an object - either in art, in nature, or the human form - beautiful and examining how we can compare differing judgments of beauty when it is evident all around us that our tastes vary so widely.

Contemporary art has never been so popular - but the art world is changing. In a landscape of increasing globalization, there is growing interest in questions over the nature of contemporary art today and the identity of who is controlling its future. In the midst of this, contemporary art continues to be a realm of freedom where artists shock, break taboos, flout generally received ideas, and switch between confronting viewers with works of great emotional profundity and jaw-dropping triviality.

23 stories, all unabridged, from a diverse group of star writers and readers. A truly memorable collection with a wide appeal. Includes "The Years Midnight" by Helen Simpson, read by Harriet Walter; "On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful Morning" by Haruki Marukami, read by Walter Lewis; "Bablady" by A. S. Byatt, read by Roslaind Eyres; "Hotel des Vaoyaguerus" by William Boyd, read by Martin Jarvis; and "Who?" by Fay Weldon, read by Julie Christie.

Language defines us as a species, placing humans head and shoulders above even the most proficient animal communicators. But it also beguiles us with its endless mysteries, allowing us to ponder why different languages emerged, why there isn't simply a single language, how languages change over time and whether that's good or bad, and how languages die out and become extinct.

With accomplished precision and gentle eloquence, Jhumpa Lahiri traces the crosscurrents set in motion when immigrants, expatriates, and their children arrive, quite literally, at a cultural divide. The nine stories in this stunning debut collection unerringly chart the emotional journeys of characters seeking love beyond the barriers of nations and generations.

E. H. Gombrich's world history, an international best seller now available in English for the first time, is a text dominated not by dates and facts but by the sweep of experience across the centuries, a guide to humanity's achievements, and an acute witness to its frailties.

Thanks to a bungled robbery at a fancy hotel, the already-married Eva Griffin has been caught in the company of a prominent congressman. To protect the politico, Eva's ready to pay the editor of a sleazy tabloid his hush money. But Perry Mason has other plans. He tracks down the phantom fat cat who secretly runs the blackmailing tabloid -only to discover a shocking scoop. By the time Mason's comely client finally comes clean, her husband has taken a bullet in the heart.

Overworked and underappreciated, single mom Amy Byler needs a break. So when the guilt-ridden husband who abandoned her shows up and offers to take care of their kids for the summer, she accepts his offer and escapes rural Pennsylvania for New York City. Usually grounded and mild mannered, Amy finally lets her hair down in the city that never sleeps. She discovers a life filled with culture, sophistication, and - with a little encouragement from her friends - a few blind dates.

【内容紹介】鎌倉仏教の対極をなす法然と明恵。真逆の思想を持った二人の生きざまと人間的魅力に、比較宗教学を専門とする町田宗鳳氏が迫ります。【講師紹介】広島大学教授 町田宗鳳- 1950年、京都生まれ。14歳で出家し、以来20年間京都の大徳寺で修行をする。34歳で寺を離れ、以後数々の大学で教授をつとめる。著書『法然対明恵』『法然―世紀末の革命者』など多数。

名だたる文筆家が登場する、文藝春秋の文化講演会。絹、紙、金属だけでなく、モノの数え方をはじめとして色んな考え方が日本に入って来ました。その中で最大のものは仏教であります。人間はルーツを探そうとします。シルクロードに憧れる私たちの心は本能に根差したものなのです。(1988年10月9日 呉市中央公民館 菊池寛生誕百周年記念講演会より)
●出て行った ●誰が言い出したのか ●人間の芸術のはじまり ●モノと考え方 ●やって来た 文藝春秋の文化講演会は、文学談や執筆秘話に人生論も交え、含蓄と味わい深い講演があなたの生き方に豊かさと彩りを添えます。

世界のすべてを陰でコントロールする組織の存在を知ってしまった男は!?

【内容紹介】幾多の能作品や芸論書を著した世阿弥。瀬戸内寂聴さんが、謎深い佐渡での晩年に焦点を当て、その波乱に満ちた生涯を振り返ります。悲喜交々の出来事を昇華させ、彼が老いの境地で咲かせた“花”とは。【講師紹介】作家 瀬戸内寂聴- 1922年、徳島県生まれ。『女子大生・曲愛玲』で新潮社同人雑誌賞受賞。2007年、禅光坊の住職に就任。著書『源氏物語』(現代語訳)、『秘花』など多数。

Immerse yourself in T.S. Eliot's thought-provoking poem as award-winning narrator Mike Vendetti reads "The Hollow Men".

Art history encompasses the study of the history and development of painting, sculpture, and the other visual arts. In this Very Short Introduction audiobook, Dana Arnold presents an introduction to the issues, debates, and artifacts that make up art history. Beginning with a consideration of what art history is, she explains what makes the subject distinctive from other fields of study and also explores the emergence of social histories of art (such as feminist art history and queer art history).

名作はどのように生まれたのだろうか？　本書は，西洋絵画の本質について一歩進んで理解したいとする人びとの願いに応えて執筆された，西洋美術鑑賞の手引きである．一枚の絵に隠された芸術家の意図，精神性を探りながら歴史を一望する．

土佐日記・原文朗読

With intelligence and wit, author Jonathan Clements blends documentary and storytelling styles to connect the past, present, and future of Japan, and in broad yet detailed strokes reveals a country of paradoxes: a modern nation steeped in ancient traditions; a democracy with an emperor as head of state; a famously safe society built on 108 volcanoes resting on the world's most active earthquake zone; a fast-paced urban and technologically advanced country whose land consists predominantly of mountains and forests.