Drawing on a diverse array of thinkers from Plato to Kierkegaard, On the Internet is one of the first books to bring philosophical insight to the debate on how far the internet can and cannot take us. Dreyfus shows us the roots of the disembodied, free floating web surfer in Descartes' separation of mind and body, and how Kierkegaard's insights into the birth of the modern reading public anticipate the news-hungry, but disinterested risk avoiding internet junkie. Drawing on recent studies of the isolation experienced by many internet users, Dreyfus shows how the internet's privatisation of experience ignores essential human capacities such as trust, moods, risk, shared local concerns and commitment. On the Internet is essential reading for anyone on line and all those interested in our place in the e-revolution. On The Internet Is A Discussion Of The Promises And Dangers Of The Internet. Drawing On A Diverse Array Of Thinkers From Plato To Kierkegaard, On The Internet Brings Philosophical Analysis To Such Questions As Whether The Internet Can Solve The Problems Of Mass Education And Bring Humanity To A New Level Of Community. Dreyfus Shows The Source Of The Attraction Of Being A Ubiquitous Net Surfer In Plato's Disdain For The Body, And How Kierkegaard's Criticism Of The Press And Public Opinion For Its Lack Of Commitment Anticipate The Dangers Of The Risk-free Interactions Made Possible By The Anonymity Of The Web. Drawing On Recent Studies Of The Isolation Experienced By Many Internet Users, Dreyfus Shows How The Internet Deprives Users Of Essential Embodied Human Capacities Such As Trust And Involvement In Shared Local Concerns. With Reference To Examples From His Own Teaching Experience, The Author Also Shows That 'interactive' Education Leaves Out The Shared Moods And Risks That Make Possible The Acquisition Of Expertise.--jacket. Introducion -- The Hype About Hyperlinks -- How Far Is Distance Learning From Education? -- Disembodied Telepresence And The Remoteness Of The Real -- Nihilism On The Information Highway: Anonymity Vs. Commitment In The Present Age -- Conclusion. Hubert L. Dreyfus. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 108-124) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 The Hype about Hyperlinks......Page 19 How Far is Distance Learning from Education?......Page 38 Disembodied Telepresence and the Remoteness of the Real......Page 61 Nihilism on the Information Highway: Anonymity vs. Commitment in the Present Age......Page 84 Conclusion......Page 101 Notes......Page 119 Index......Page 136
