Climbing - Philosophy for Everyone: Because It's There (repost)

Both climbing and philosophy are serious endeavors. However, if you make a mistake while engaging in philosophy, it may be ego-bruising, but it won’t kill you. In mountain and rock climbing, even the simplest error in judgment can be life threatening. Given the inherent risks of most climbing pursuits, why would anyone subject themselves to “tying in”? What does the risk bring? Is it ever justified? And why do so many non-climbers find the inherent risks of climbing unacceptable? Climbing – Philosophy for Everyone presents a thought-provoking collection of new essays that not only address the issue of why climbers engage in such an intrinsically risky pursuit, but also plunge into the philosophical void to consider such intellectually stimulating topics as:

Character traits that climbing develops and that are most valuable for summit quests
Ethical debates pertaining to rules defining climbing styles and ethics of free soloing
Concerns about climbers’ impact on the environment and the manufacturing of holds
The hazards in evaluating one's own climbing abilities
Climbing culture as a gift economy and the sheer beauty of climbing

Demonstrating the rich connections between climbing and philosophical reflection, Climbing – Philosophy for Everyone invites us to ponder aspects of behavior that can give deeper meaning to the challenges and struggles of everyday life.