This Very Short Introduction to hermeneutics demonstrates the central role of interpretation in our daily lives. By considering the historic developments in hermeneutic theory as well as its contemporary relevance, Zimmermann explains how humans continue to draw knowledge from the world around them.

From handshakes and toasts to chant and genuflection, ritual pervades our social interactions and religious practices. Still, few of us could identify all of our daily and festal ritual behaviors, much less explain them to an outsider. Similarly, because of the variety of activities that qualify as ritual and their many contradictory yet, in many ways, equally legitimate interpretations, ritual seems to elude any systematic historical and comparative scrutiny.

In this book, Catherine Bell off...

Hands-On Introduction to LaVIEW for Scientists and Engineers provides a learn-by-doing approach to acquiring the computer-based skills used daily in experimental work. The book is not the typical manual-like presentation of LabVIEW. Rather, Hands-On Introduction to LabVIEW guides students through using this powerful laboratory tool to carry out interesting and relevant projects.

Readers, who are assumed to have no prior computer programming orLabVIEW experience, begin writing meaningful progr...

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Law is at the heart of every society, protecting rights, imposing duties, and establishing a framework for the conduct of almost all social, political, and economic activity. Despite this, the law often seems a highly technical, perplexing mystery, with its antiquated and often impenetrable jargon, obsolete procedures, and endless stream of judgements and complex legislation. In this Very Short Introduction Raymond Wacks introduces the maj...

Concentrates on the ideas and practices which constitute the common heritage of the different traditions of Buddhism. From the narrative of the story of the Buddha, through discussions of aspects such as textual traditions, the framework of the Four Noble Truths, this work provides an introduction to Buddhism.

The Globalization of World Politics is the bestselling introduction to international relations, and offers the most complete coverage of the key theories and global issues in world politics. The ninth edition has been thoroughly updated to explore the most pressing topics and challenges that dominate international relations today, including a brand-new chapter on global health, which explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tailored pedagogical features help students to consider key inte...

All the basic principles of this important topic are clearly presented here in an account which takes as examples many compounds of industrial and biological significance. Consideration is given to the structure, reactions, and properties of benzene and classes of aromatic compounds derived from it, and topics such as thermodynamic versus kinetic control and pericyclic reactions are introduced. The text also covers polycyclic arenes and the small and large ring systems which are embraced by t...

At a time when diplomatic practices and the demands imposed on diplomats are changing quite radically, and many foreign ministries feel they are being left behind, there is a need to understand the various forces that are affecting the profession. Diplomacy remains a salient activity in today's world in which the basic authoritative actor is still the state. At the same time, in some respects the practice of diplomacy is undergoing significant, even radical, changes to the context, tools, act...

Anthony Kenny's engaging new history of Western philosophy now advances into the modern era.The Rise of Modern Philosophyis the fascinating story of the emergence of the great ideas and worldviews of modern thought. Beautifully illustrated throughout, Kenny's book introduces us to some of the world's most original and influential thinkers.

China today is never out of the news: from international finance to human rights controversies, global coverage of its rising international presence, and the Chinese 'economic miracle'. It seems to be a country of contradictions: a peasant society with some of the world's most futuristic cities, heir to an ancient civilization that is still trying to find a modern identity. This Very Short Introduction offers the reader an entry to understanding the world's most populous nation, giving an int...