Gardening and philosophy: cultivating wisdom (series: philosophy for everyone)

Gardens and contemplation have been closely connected since the dawn of philosophy, with many drawing on their beauty and peace for philosophical inspiration. Gardens in turn give rise to a broad spectrum of philosophical questions. For the green-fingered thinker, this book unearths a whole host of fascinating philosophical themes, including:

• Epicurus and gardens for happiness
• Plato and gardening as the care of the soul
• The philosophy of Central Park
• Kitchen gardens and the history of self-sufficiency
• The aesthetic and ethical dimensions of gardens

Gardening- Philosophy for Everyoneproffers intriguing insights into the historical and continuing deep-rooted connection between philosophy and gardens.

Acknowledgements (Dan O'Brien).

Foreword (David E. Cooper).

Planting the Seed: An Introduction to Gardening- Philosophy for Everyone(Dan O'Brien).

Part I: The Good Life

1 The Virtues of Gardening (Isis Brook).

2 Cultivating the Soul: The Ethics of Gardening in Ancient Greece and Rome (Meghan T. Ray).

3 Escaping Eden: Plant Ethics in a Gardener's World (Matthew Hall).

4 Food Glorious Food (Helene Gammack).

Part II: Flower Power

5 Plants, Prayers and Power: The Story of the First Mediterranean Gardens (Jo Day).

6 Brussels Sprouts and Empire: Putting Down Roots (Michael Moss).

7 Transplanting Liberty: Lafayette's American Garden (Laura Auricchio).

8 Cockney Plots: Allotments and Grassroots Political Activism (Elizabeth A. Scott).

Part III: The Flower Show

9 Hortus Incantans: Gardening as an Art of Enchantment (Eric MacDonald).

10 Gardens, Music and Time (Ismay Barwell and John Powell).

11 The Pragmatic Picturesque: The Philosophy of Central Park (Gary Shapiro).

Part IV: The Cosmic Garden

12 Illusions of Grandeur: A Harmonious Garden for the Sun King (Robert Neuman).

13 Time and Temporality in the Garden (Mara Miller).

14 Cultivating Our Garden: David Hume and Gardening as Therapy (Dan O'Brien).

Part V: Philosophers' Gardens

15 The Garden of the Aztec Philosopher-King (Susan Toby Evans).

16 Epicurus, the Garden, and the Golden Age (Gordon Campbell).

17 Gardener of Souls: Philosophical Education in Plato's Phaedrus (Anne Cotton).

Appendix A: Notes on Contributors.