160 Pages
by
Routledge
160 Pages
by
Routledge
The media often talk about public opinion, the 'American' or 'British' public, or the movie-going public. A public can hold an opinion and be divided. What is the public and where did it come from? Is there one public or many? Is the very idea of the public a myth? In this fascinating book, Alastair Hannay explores these questions and unpacks a much talked about but little understood phenomenon.... Read more
Acknowledgements Preface 1. The public 2. Public as audience 3. The public sphere 4. Public opinion 5. Emptying public space 6. Privacy and the media 7. A common sense 8. Transforming the private sphere Conclusion Notes Bibliography
Biography
Alastair Hannay is Emeritus Professor of philosophy at the University of Oslo. He is the author of many books, including Mental Images and Kierkegaard. He has translated several of Kierkegaard's works for Penguin Classics and was for many years the editor of the journal Inquiry, also published by Routledge.
'Hannay's provocative book points out that the potential of the public lies in its ability to stop observing and start acting...to become...an agent of change that can make politicians sit up and listen' Times Literary Supplement
'Philosopher Alastair Hannay's On the Public ... is an interesting short guide.' - New Scientist
