Gareth Southwell

ALLi Author Member

Location: United Kingdom (the)

Genres: Fantasy/SciFi/Speculative, Philosophy

Gareth Southwell is a writer, illustrator and philosopher from Wales, UK. He offers book illustration, cover design and formatting services through Reedsy.

Gareth Southwell's books

MUNKi

10 years after he died, Cari’s grandfather is back.

Or at least, his memories are. Stolen and repackaged into a corporate video by tech giant Merrywhile Industries to promote their latest project – digital immortality.

When no one believes her, Cari’s search for proof drives her into a lawless virtual underworld of hackers-for-hire where anything is for sale – and payment isn’t always in cryptocurrency.

But global megacorporations don’t take well to scrutiny. As Cari looks into Merrywhile, Merrywhile also looks into her.

And as she realises there’s more to the grandfather she loved and thought she knew, his secrets make her a target for shadowy players in a game with stakes much higher than data theft.

Content Provider

His memory is not what it was. Whose is? Sometimes, it’s true, he forgets things. But writing a whole book? Who would forget that?

But there are even reviews of it. In fact, three of them. And no one – not the bookstores, not his publisher, nor even his wife – seems in the least bit concerned. Does this mean he’s going crazy?

But the next one is already overdue, and though each day the cursor blinks blankly back at him, he must push on. For it’s not like this book is going to write itself – is it?

Set in the near future, Content Provider is a satirical insight into the life of the jobbing writer, the enduring mysteries of married life, and what happens to our thoughts when there’s no one there to think them.

Mr Wolf

Merrywhile is dead. Long live Merrywhile!

With the company in crisis and her boss absconded, Dr Geraldine Andersen struggles to get Project MUNKi back on track. But while her efforts to build the world’s most advanced toy robot flounder, she is approached by an old friend in need of a favour. A friend whose paralysed, locked-in son is being charged with murder – of his own father. Can Gerry help prove his innocence?

But the deeper she digs, the more puzzling things become. For all families have secrets – and this one most of all.

Mr Wolf is a near-future sci-fi whodunnit, an insight into the politics of Italian refuse collection, and a cautionary tale about the lengths to which we will go to protect the things we love.

Pale Kings

Dean’s got a bit of a problem.

Just three days into his stint minding the family shop and already there’s a jagged hole in the wall where the new smart-drugs vending machine used to be, courtesy of the local psychopathic heavy. But as the clock ticks down on his father’s return, hope appears in the guise of an enigmatic beauty, a girl stepped straight out of Dean’s dreams, proposing a wild and improbable plan that could just change all their lives – maybe even for the better.

A prequel to MUNKi, Pale Kings is a sharp-witted and comical journey into the crazy world of contemporary fine art, the illicit potential of virtual reality gaming, and the neurotic susceptibilities of robotic guard dogs.

Words of Wisdom

Words of Wisdom brings together 360 of Philosophy's most famous quotations, explaining their meaning and telling the stories behind them.

Western philosophy may be said to have begun in ancient Greece, where, inscribed in his temple at Delphi, the words of the god Apollo commanded those who sought wisdom to first 'know thyself'. With the author's usual humour and clarity of style, the whole 2,500 year history of philosophy is laid bare. Each quote is set in the context of its cultural background, author biography and general outlook; trends are highlighted, links established, and influences traced, all in a way that is entertaining, thought-provoking, and even fun.

Words of Wisdom is the perfect book for those who always wanted to ask what philosophy was about, but were afraid they might not understand the answer.

Instant Philosophy

Instant Philosophy pulls together all the pivotal philosophical knowledge and thought into one concise volume. Each page contains a discrete 'cheat sheet', which tells you the most important facts in bite-sized chunks, meaning you can become an expert in an instant.

From Nietzsche to Nozick, empiricism to solipsism, Pascal's wager to Ockham's razor, every key figure, discovery or idea is explained with succinct and lively text and graphics.

Perfect for the knowledge hungry and time poor, this collection of graphic-led lessons makes philosophy interesting and accessible. Everything you need to know is here.

50 Philosophy of Science Ideas You Really Need to Know

Science first began as a branch of philosophy, but it has since grown up and moved out of the family home, and its successes have put its parent in the shade. Thanks to scientific knowledge we have walked on the Moon, cured once-fatal illnesses, and even identified the very building blocks of life and the universe. But it is these very successes that underline the need for philosophy.

How much should we trust the pronouncements of scientists that we read in the media? What are the ethical implications of our delving into the foundations of our DNA, reproductive treatments, or artificially prolonging life? And are there limits to what science can tell us about the world we think we know?

In straightforward and accessible terms, 50 Philosophy of Science Ideas You Really Need to Know explains the key philosophical questions that continue to lie at the heart of the nature and practice of science today.

The ideas explored include: Appearance and reality; Knowledge; Anti-realism; Metaphysics; Science and gender; Phenomenology and science.

What Would Marx Do?

Have you ever wondered what Kant might have to say about your addiction to social media? Or whether Plato would be able to help resolve your constant arguments about what to watch on TV? Or if Hobbes would agree to feed your pet hamster while you're away on holiday?

When it comes to the really important questions, who better to ask than the greatest political minds in history, with What Would Marx Do? Using 40 everyday questions and problems as springboards for exploring the great political questions of our time, this book will give you a crash course in political philosophy, and an introduction to the theories and ideas of the greatest political philosophers of all time.

Includes questions such as:

-Should I bother to vote?
-Who should look after the baby?
-Do you earn enough?
-My car has just been stolen! But can I hold the thieves responsible?
-Should I watch what I say on Twitter?
-Should your children benefit from your success?
-Is it wrong to want a bigger house?

With quirky illustrations and intriguing and original takes on the biggest (and smallest) everyday questions, What Would Marx Do? is guaranteed to leave you with a better grasp on political philosophy, and able to discuss Marxism, Libertarian Socialism and Populism with ease.

Descartes's Dog

Animals feel pain – so much is obvious. But René Descartes didn't think so.

In fact, the man who has been called the Father of Modern Philosophy thought there was no more to the yelps and cries of a suffering animal than the squeaks and groans of an unoiled hinge, and (for the purposes of science) he was even rumoured to have dissected living dogs and nailed cats to trees. For, he reasoned, we wouldn't worry about the “feelings” of a watch or a clock, no matter what noises it made.

Descartes’s views on animals now seem callous and outdated, and we might readily consign them to the dustbin of the history of ideas – except for the fact that many people still share them. For curiously, Descartes's views have formed the basis for modern developments in computing and artificial intelligence – from which point of view, we are all just machines.

Written in an engaging and humorous style, this short book investigates the roots of this philosophy, exploring the connections between Descartes’s view of animals, AI, and the persisting puzzle of consciousness.

Dr Gareth Southwell is philosopher, writer and illustrator from the UK. He is the author of numerous works of popular philosophy on a range of topics, and has been involved in philosophy for almost thirty years. Find out more on his Amazon author profile or on his website: philosophy.garethsouthwell.com

Philosophy in 100 Quotes

"The unexamined life is not worth living." --Socrates

Socrates’ famous quote suggests that if we are not free to explore the fundamental questions of life, and wherever these lead us, then what is the point of living? A great jumping off point into the examined life is to study and understand quotations from the greatest thinkers in history, where even a short sentence can unlock a whole philosophical approach.

Philosophy in 100 Quotes is a compendium of philosophical thoughts from the past two millennia, brought together in the words of the philosophers whose work has changed our understanding of ourselves and the society in which we live. These are quotes that will inform, inspire, and entertain. Accompanying commentary explores their meaning and reveals the life and work of the philosophers who said them.

A Beginner's Guide to Descartes's Meditations



A concise and readable guide to Descartes's Meditations geared toward beginner philosophy students (at A-level, or on undergraduate degree courses) and general readers.

Offers clear explanations of the central themes and ideas, terminology, and arguments in the Meditations
Features in-depth discussion of Descartes' correspondence with his contemporaries
Illustrates arguments and ideas with useful tables, diagrams, and images
Includes a glossary of difficult terms as well as helpful biographical and historical information
Includes references to further readings, films, and literature that contain similar philosophical themes
Will form part of a series of Guides designed specifically for A-level philosophy students by an experienced teacher and founder of the popular website Philosophy Online

A Beginner's Guide to Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil

A concise and very readable summary of Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, geared toward students embarking on their studies and general readers. It is an ideal companion for those new to the study of this challenging and often misunderstood classic.

Offers clear explanations of the central themes and ideas, terminology, and arguments
Includes a glossary of difficult terms as well as helpful biographical and historical information
Illustrates arguments and ideas with useful tables, diagrams, and images; and includes references to further readings
Forms part of a series of Guides designed specifically for A-level philosophy students by an experienced teacher and founder of the popular website Philosophy Online

General Ned

General Ned works from home.

It’s a cushy job – most of the time – and nothing too risky, nothing his wife needs to know about. But there’s something off about his new client, something he just can’t put his finger on.

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