Assholes: A Theory

{{short description|2012 book by Aaron James}}

{{Infobox book

| name = Assholes: A Theory

| image = Assholes- A Theory cover.jpeg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Cover to the hardcover edition

| author = Aaron James

| audio_read_by =

| title_orig =

| orig_lang_code =

| title_working =

| translator =

| illustrator =

| cover_artist =

| country =

| language = English

| series =

| release_number =

| subject = philosophy

| genre =

| set_in =

| published = 2012 (Doubleday)

| media_type = Print (hardcover) / Digital (Kindle eBook)

| pages = 221

| awards =

| isbn = 978-0-385-53565-6

| isbn_note =

| oclc =

| dewey =

| congress =

| preceded_by =

| followed_by =

| native_wikisource =

| wikisource =

| notes =

| exclude_cover =

| website = {{url|onassholes.com}}

}}

Assholes: A Theory is a non-fiction book written by Aaron James in 2012. Aaron James received a doctorate from Harvard,{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2012 |title=ASSHOLE: A Theory |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/aaron-james/assholes/ |website=Kirkus Reviews |access-date=November 21, 2023 |archive-date=November 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120235830/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/aaron-james/assholes/ |url-status=live }} is professor of philosophy at the University of California, Irvine, and he attempts a precise academic definition of the term.{{Cite web |url=http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/aaron-james-assholes-2012-12/ |title=Who’s the A-hole? Field-testing a thesis. |last=Keohane |first=Joe |date=November 25, 2012 |work=New York |access-date=February 17, 2016 |archive-date=July 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702022745/http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/aaron-james-assholes-2012-12/ |url-status=live }} James is also the author of another book, referred to as Fairness in Practice: A Social Contract for a Global Economy.

Assholes: A Theory establishes the philosophical understanding of the subject. For example, according to James, an asshole "allows himself to enjoy special advantages in social relations out of an entrenched sense of entitlement that immunizes him against the complaints of other people."{{Cite web |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-385-53565-6 |title=Nonfiction Book Review: Assholes: A Theory by Aaron James. |date=July 23, 2012 |work=Publishers Weekly}} As Martin Patriquin wrote in Maclean's, the author "spends 214 quite convincing pages arguing that “assholeness” is less inattention than a permanent state of mind [...]"{{Cite web|url=http://www.macleans.ca/culture/books/assholes-a-theory/|title=Review: Assholes: A Theory.|last=Patriquin|first=Martin|date=November 23, 2012|publisher=|access-date=|work=Maclean's|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202103911/http://www.macleans.ca/culture/books/assholes-a-theory/|url-status=live}} "Seekers of philosophical meaning will find much to ponder with James", concludes Alex Balk in Slate.{{Cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2012/10/ascent_of_the_a_word_by_geoffrey_nunberg_and_assholes_a_theory_by_aaron_james_reviewed_.html |title=The A-hole in the Mirror. On being that guy. |last=Balk |first=Alex |date=October 5, 2012 |work=Slate |access-date=February 17, 2016 |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419034401/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2012/10/ascent_of_the_a_word_by_geoffrey_nunberg_and_assholes_a_theory_by_aaron_james_reviewed_.html |url-status=live }} Not only does James discuss the literal definition of what Assholes are in this world, is also looks back into history, giving prime examples of individuals who portrayed such characteristics. His book is described as being "divided into two main parts: first, a set of descriptions and definitions and, then, a recommendation about what how to manage relations with such offensive individuals."{{Cite web |last=Doughter |first=Howard |date=2012 |title=Assholes: A Theory [Review of Assholes: A Theory]. |url=https://innovation.cc/wp-content/uploads/2013_18_2_10_doughty-james_bk-rev-ass-hole.pdf |access-date=November 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617023019/https://innovation.cc/wp-content/uploads/2013_18_2_10_doughty-james_bk-rev-ass-hole.pdf |url-status=live }}

The book inspired a 2019 documentary film of the same name, by director John Walker.Norman Wilner, [https://nowtoronto.com/movies/reviews/assholes-a-theory-john-walker-documentary "Review: Assholes: A Theory will make you think about the jerks in your life"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518153834/https://nowtoronto.com/movies/reviews/assholes-a-theory-john-walker-documentary |date=2021-05-18 }}. Now, November 27, 2019.