Explore the evolving debate between materialism and science from Kant to modern times.
This volume surveys how materialist ideas shaped philosophy, science, and culture, and how thinkers grappled with space, time, and the nature of reality. Written in clear, accessible language, it traces the rise and critique of materialist thought across England, France, and Germany, illuminating the forces that shaped our understanding of mind, matter, and knowledge.
The chapters connect key figures, from early English materialists to Kantian reforms and the later natural sciences, offering a thoughtful guide to how our sense of what exists has changed. It poses the big questions about the relation between thought and world, while remaining grounded in historical context and careful analysis.
- How materialism interacted with religion and science in 18th- and 19th-century Europe
- Kant’s role in reshaping the discussion of space, time, and causality
- The move from metaphysical speculation to empirical and physiological approaches
- Clarifications of how force, matter, and knowledge relate in scientific thinking
Ideal for readers of philosophy, history of science, and readers seeking a careful, grounded introduction to a pivotal movement in thought.
History of Materialism and Criticism of Its Present Importance, Volume II
AIM FOR A SHOPPER-FRIENDLY OVERVIEW OF A KEY PHILOSOPHICAL HISTORY, WITHOUT SPOILERS.