Improvisations on Urbanity: Trendy Pragmatism in a Climate of Change

What we have here is a hybrid of philosophy and urbanism, asking questions about autonomy and freedom in the modern world. Ever since Kant, the question of autonomy -- the ability of the individual to act on his own -- is one of utmost importance to democracy. Yet in today's consumer culture, we are dependent on the urban infrastructure and supply chain, which makes true autonomy difficult. The authors consider what Beuys meant when he said that everyone is an artist: that everyone is trying to live in tune with our social space. Which brings us to the tuneful cooperation of jazz improvisation, where one finds harmony within disorder. Authors Ton Matton, an urbanist, and Christopher Dell, a philosopher and jazz musician, join minds to create this thought-provoking book.