The Metaphysics of Evolution (Paperback)

Thomas Whittaker

ISBN 10: 1108004377 / ISBN 13: 9781108004374

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009

About this Item

Paperback. What conclusions do the facts of cosmic and organic evolution require or permit on the origin and destiny of the world and the individual? From 1881 to 1925 Thomas Whittaker, an Oxford-trained scientist turned philosopher, grappled with this question, which he tried to answer by metaphysical interpretation of the sciences. The majority of the essays in this volume first appeared in Mind, and a few in other journals, while three had not been previously published. Whittaker ranges widely over some of the most daring theories of the past, from the early centuries of the common era (including Apollonius of Tyana and Origen), to the middle ages (including John Scotus Erigena and Nicholas of Cusa), the renaissance (Giordano Bruno, Shakespeare) and the early modern period. Whittaker's own view is that hypothesis and imagination are legitimate aids in the search for truth in both science and philosophy in a new synthesis. Thomas Whittaker spent over forty years grappling with the question of how metaphysics might interact with science and evolution. This book, published in 1928, is a collection of his essays exploring the topic from the Greek philosophers to the early modern period, and attempting a synthesis of his own. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781108004374

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Metaphysics of Evolution (Paperback)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1108004377
• ISBN 13: 9781108004374
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

What conclusions do the facts of cosmic and organic evolution require or permit on the origin and destiny of the world and the individual? From 1881 to 1925 Thomas Whittaker, an Oxford-trained scientist turned philosopher, grappled with this question, which he tried to answer by metaphysical interpretation of the sciences. The majority of the essays in this volume first appeared in Mind, and a few in other journals, while three had not been previously published. Whittaker ranges widely over some of the most daring theories of the past, from the early centuries of the common era (including Apollonius of Tyana and Origen), to the middle ages (including John Scotus Erigena and Nicholas of Cusa), the renaissance (Giordano Bruno, Shakespeare) and the early modern period. Whittaker's own view is that hypothesis and imagination are legitimate aids in the search for truth in both science and philosophy in a new synthesis.

Book Description

Thomas Whittaker spent over forty years grappling with the question of how metaphysics might interact with science and evolution. This book, published in 1928, is a collection of his essays exploring the topic from the Greek philosophers to the early modern period, and attempting a synthesis of his own.