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Title: On Getting the Last Word In
Review: Nagel is out to defend reason against all forms of subjectivism, pragmatism, postmodernism, relativism, etc. The basic idea is that attacks against reason are self-defeating, but this is coupled with a generous dose of diatribe against "what passes for argument in the lower reaches of the humanities." Kant is also repeatedly attacked, although Nagel does not bother looking at how contemporary Kant scholars address the issues he raises. In general, this is a book written with much indignation but little attention to the writings of those about whom Nagel is so indignant. The best part of the book is the section on religion, where he admits that his atheism is not as firmly grounded in reason as he would like it to be.
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