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This preface introduces the topic of the book, extremes. It draws on a broad range of approaches, including from intellectual history and the philosophy of science. Pulling together the core topics of the book, it shows how the notion of extremes radiates into different subject areas, and the way in which it can – and cannot – help us make sense of the world. Inter alia, it also reflects on a question addressed, explicitly or implicitly, by all subsequent chapters: whether we are living in an age of extremes. The preface concludes that the notion of ‘extremes’ appears to be of avail in three ways: when it drives our curiosity and aspiration, when it helps us understand the world, and when it makes us realize our own humility.
Humanity is confronted by and attracted to extremes. Extreme events shape our thinking, feeling, and actions; they echo in our politics, media, literature, and science. We often associate extremes with crises, disasters, and risks to be averted, yet extremes also have the potential to lead us towards new horizons. Featuring essays by leading intellectuals and public figures arising from the 2017 Darwin College Lectures, this volume explores 'extreme' events, from the election of President Trump, the rise of populism, and the Brexit referendum, to the 2008 financial crisis, the Syrian war, and climate change. It also celebrates 'extreme' achievements in the realms of health, exploration, and scientific discovery. A fascinating, engaging, and timely collection of essays by renowned scholars, journalists, and intellectuals, this volume challenges our understanding of what is normal and what is truly extreme, and sheds light on some of the issues facing humanity in the twenty-first century.
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