What underlying philosophy and mission should museums pursue in the first half of the twenty-first century? In Museum Philosophy, twenty-four authors use the lenses of a variety of disciplines to answer this essential question. Museum professionals offer their answers alongside philosophers, historians, political scientists, educators, sociologists, and others in a wide-ranging exploration of institutions from art museums to zoos. Hugh Genoway's book offers philosophical and ethical guidelines, describes the ways specific institutions illustrate different philosophies, examines major divisions in the museum community, and explores outreach and engagement between the museum and its larger community. Both established museum professionals and students of museum studies will benefit from this insightful look into the foundations and future of their field.

Contributions by: Robert R. Archibald, Patrick J. Boylan, David Carr, Christy S. Coleman, Helen Coxall, Chuck Dailey, Jennifer Eichstedt, Hilde Hein, Eilean Hooper-Greenhill, Lesley Lewis, Timothy W. Luke, Didier Maleuvre, Suma Mallavarapu, Terry L. Maple, Michael A. Mares, Jennifer L. Martin, Jean-Paul Martinon, Scott G. Paris, Jeffrey H. Patchen, Marilyn E. Phelan, Donald Preziosi, Franklin W. Robinson, Douglas Sharon, Sherene Suchy