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Assholes

A Theory

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Assholes

Written by: Aaron James
Narrated by: Arthur Morey
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About this listen

In the spirit of the mega-selling On Bullshit, philosopher Aaron James presents a theory of the asshole that is both intellectually provocative and existentially necessary.

What does it mean for someone to be an asshole? The answer is not obvious, despite the fact that we are often personally stuck dealing with people for whom there is no better name. Try as we might to avoid them, assholes are found everywhere - at work, at home, on the road, and in the public sphere. Encountering one causes great difficulty and personal strain, especially because we often cannot understand why exactly someone should be acting like that.

Asshole management begins with asshole understanding. Much as Machiavelli illuminated political strategy for princes, this book finally gives us the concepts to think or say why assholes disturb us so, and explains why such people seem part of the human social condition, especially in an age of raging narcissism and unbridled capitalism. These concepts are also practically useful, as understanding the asshole we are stuck with helps us think constructively about how to handle problems he (and they are mostly all men) presents. We get a better sense of when the asshole is best resisted, and when he is best ignored - a better sense of what is, and what is not, worth fighting for.

©2012 Aaron James (P)2012 Random House Audio
Philosophy Popular Culture Psychology Relationships
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What the critics say

"Aaron James explores a very rude term that many now find unavoidable in the description of an alarming human type. His witty and accessible study of the personal and social problems the asshole creates draws on his lucid and brilliant accounts of the best in contemporary moral and political philosophy. James's analysis of asshole capitalism is a tour de force of philosophically astute political analysis and criticism. This is a book that should appeal equally to the general reader and the philosophical specialist." (Marshall Cohen, University Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California)

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The voice ruins it…

I bought this because many people talked about how great this book is. And it has great material but I stopped listening to it because of the person narrating it! It sounds like a bot! I was expecting the person narrating this to have some tone and humour in their voice but it sounded like I was listening to a medical journal read. Save your money on audible and just buy the book instead and read it! I wish I could get a refund…

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