In this ground-breaking study on the nature of philosophy, Jan Zwicky
demonstrates how much of potential philosophical significance is lost if our
notion of meaningful language is constrained by narrow concepts of analytic
rigour. Her aim is not to dismiss the role of analysis in philosophy; rather she
strives to augment its resources and thereby give to philosophy a voice with
greater range and integrity.
Two parallel texts, on facing pages, run through the book. The primary one is
Zwicky’s, which begins with a critique of existing criteria for defining a work
as philosophy, and then develops the notion of lyric in its relation to two
other key terms: technology and domesticity. She finishes with an exploration of
meaning, form, and content in lyric contexts. The parallel text consists of
quotations from other authors. It serves as commentary on, illustration of, and
reaction to, the main text; as a way of acknowledging intellectual debts; and as
a way of providing an historical context for some of the main text’s claims.
Highly original in its thought and presentation, Zwicky’s discussion makes an
exciting contribution to contemporary philosophy, forging new connections and
expanding old boundaries.