Scientific Materialism

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects
Cover of the book Scientific Materialism by M. Bunge, Springer Netherlands
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: M. Bunge ISBN: 9789400985179
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: M. Bunge
ISBN: 9789400985179
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

The word 'materialism' is ambiguous: it designates a moral doc­ trine as well as a philosophy and, indeed, an entire world view. Moral materialism is identical with hedonism, or the doctrine that humans should pursue only their own pleasure. Philosophical ma­ terialismis the view that the real worId is composed exclusively of material things. The two doctrines are logically independent: hedonism is consistent with immaterialism, and materialism is compatible with high minded morals. We shall be concerned ex­ c1usively with philosophical materialism. And we shall not confuse it with realism, or the epistemological doctrine that knowIedge, or at any rate scientific knowledge, attempts to represent reality. Philosophical materialism is not a recent fad and it is not a solid block: it is as old as philosophy and it has gone through six quite different stages. The first was ancient materialism, centered around Greek and Indian atomism. The second was the revival of the first during the 17th century. The third was 18th century ma­ terialism, partly derived from one side of Descartes' ambiguous legacy. The fourth was the mid-19th century "scientific" material­ ism, which flourished mainly in Germany and England, and was tied to the upsurge of chemistry and biology. The fifth was dialec­ tical and historical materialism, which accompanied the consolida­ tion of the socialist ideology. And the sixth or current stage, evolved mainly by Australian and American philosophers, is aca­ demic and nonpartisan but otherwise very heterogeneous. Ancient materialism was thoroughly mechanistic.

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

The word 'materialism' is ambiguous: it designates a moral doc­ trine as well as a philosophy and, indeed, an entire world view. Moral materialism is identical with hedonism, or the doctrine that humans should pursue only their own pleasure. Philosophical ma­ terialismis the view that the real worId is composed exclusively of material things. The two doctrines are logically independent: hedonism is consistent with immaterialism, and materialism is compatible with high minded morals. We shall be concerned ex­ c1usively with philosophical materialism. And we shall not confuse it with realism, or the epistemological doctrine that knowIedge, or at any rate scientific knowledge, attempts to represent reality. Philosophical materialism is not a recent fad and it is not a solid block: it is as old as philosophy and it has gone through six quite different stages. The first was ancient materialism, centered around Greek and Indian atomism. The second was the revival of the first during the 17th century. The third was 18th century ma­ terialism, partly derived from one side of Descartes' ambiguous legacy. The fourth was the mid-19th century "scientific" material­ ism, which flourished mainly in Germany and England, and was tied to the upsurge of chemistry and biology. The fifth was dialec­ tical and historical materialism, which accompanied the consolida­ tion of the socialist ideology. And the sixth or current stage, evolved mainly by Australian and American philosophers, is aca­ demic and nonpartisan but otherwise very heterogeneous. Ancient materialism was thoroughly mechanistic.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book N-Heterocyclic Carbenes in Transition Metal Catalysis and Organocatalysis by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Philosophy, its History and Historiography by M. Bunge
Cover of the book The Nature of General Family Practice by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Coping with Cancer Stress by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Sustainable Food Production Includes Human and Environmental Health by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Georg Simmel and Contemporary Sociology by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Formal Contributions to the Theory of Public Choice by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Sourcebook for the History of the Philosophy of Mind by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Phenomenology: East and West by M. Bunge
Cover of the book To Work at the Foundations by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Molluscan Shellfish Safety by M. Bunge
Cover of the book General Relativity and John Archibald Wheeler by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Molecular Farming of Plants and Animals for Human and Veterinary Medicine by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Stratigraphy and Paleolimnology of the Green River Formation, Western USA by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Estuaries of Australia in 2050 and beyond by M. Bunge
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