Materialism

A Historical and Philosophical Inquiry

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book Materialism by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman ISBN: 9780429535376
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 29, 2019
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
ISBN: 9780429535376
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 29, 2019
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The doctrine of materialism is one of the most controversial in the history of ideas. For much of its history it has been aligned with toleration and enlightened thinking, but it has also aroused strong, often violent, passions amongst both its opponents and proponents. This book explores the development of materialism in an engaging and thought-provoking way and defends the form it takes in the twenty-first century.

Opening with an account of the ideas of some of the most important thinkers in the materialist tradition, including Epicurus, Lucretius, Hobbes, Hume, Darwin and Marx, the authors discuss materialism’s origins, as an early form of naturalistic explanation and as an intellectual outlook about life and the world in general. They explain how materialism’s beginnings as an imaginative vision of the true nature of things faced a major challenge from the physics it did so much to facilitate, which now portrays the microscopic world in a way incompatible with traditional materialism. Brown and Ladyman explain how out of this challenge materialism developed into the new doctrine of physicalism.

Drawing on a wide range of colourful examples, the authors argue that although materialism does not have all the answers, its humanism and commitment to naturalistic explanation and the scientific method is our best philosophical hope in the ideological maelstrom of the modern world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The doctrine of materialism is one of the most controversial in the history of ideas. For much of its history it has been aligned with toleration and enlightened thinking, but it has also aroused strong, often violent, passions amongst both its opponents and proponents. This book explores the development of materialism in an engaging and thought-provoking way and defends the form it takes in the twenty-first century.

Opening with an account of the ideas of some of the most important thinkers in the materialist tradition, including Epicurus, Lucretius, Hobbes, Hume, Darwin and Marx, the authors discuss materialism’s origins, as an early form of naturalistic explanation and as an intellectual outlook about life and the world in general. They explain how materialism’s beginnings as an imaginative vision of the true nature of things faced a major challenge from the physics it did so much to facilitate, which now portrays the microscopic world in a way incompatible with traditional materialism. Brown and Ladyman explain how out of this challenge materialism developed into the new doctrine of physicalism.

Drawing on a wide range of colourful examples, the authors argue that although materialism does not have all the answers, its humanism and commitment to naturalistic explanation and the scientific method is our best philosophical hope in the ideological maelstrom of the modern world.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Consolidation of Democracy by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Western Europe by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Race and Probation by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book The History of Sino-Japanese Cultural Exchange by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Pirates and Mutineers of the Nineteenth Century by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Romancing the Self in Early Modern Englishwomen's Life Writing by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Centralisation, Devolution and the Future of Local Government in England by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book On the Edges of Development by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Critical Approaches to Fieldwork by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Invariant Measurement with Raters and Rating Scales by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Biodata (Routledge Revivals) by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Civil Society in Democratization by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Literacy by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Nihilism by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Baronial Patronage of Music in Early Modern Rome by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy