"In this incisive study, Walton argues that many great social, political, artistic and philosophical advances have emerged from periods of disorder and the refusal to think within standard paradigms. Whilst, Walton claims, we have been taught to prefer the imposition of rules in all aspects of our lives, this book explores how these strictures are responsible for the alienation that has characterised post-war society, an alienation that could have been avoided if we had simply accepted the chaos. Calling us to embrace chaos, this is a philosophical consideration of the meanings and value placed upon chaos throughout history and thought"--