what many French philosophy students are reading now

Philippe Descola, Par-delà nature et culture. HERE.

The Collège de France anthropologist, who is very much alive and well today (and not that old, actually) has made major inroads among young French philosophers with this 623-page work. That was unanimously and enthusiastically reported by the philosophy students I went out with in Paris last night.

I’m afraid I haven’t read Descola before, though Bruno Latour has been suggesting that I do so since about 2005. Sometimes there are things you know you should read, but just haven’t gotten around to reading yet.

The students last night were saying that the book is comprehensive enough that it can get you up to pretty good speed in anthropology in a hurry even if you have little experience in the field.