The Ascent of Man

A Philosophy of Human Nature

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Medieval
Cover of the book The Ascent of Man by James F. Harris, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: James F. Harris ISBN: 9781351305587
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: September 29, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: James F. Harris
ISBN: 9781351305587
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: September 29, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The Ascent of Man develops a comprehensive theory of human nature. James F. Harris sees human nature as an emergent property that supervenes a cluster of properties. Despite significant overlap between individuals that have human nature and those that are biologically human, the concept of human nature developed in this book is different. Whether biologically human or not, an individual may be said to possess human nature. This theory of human nature is called the"cluster theory."

Harris takes as his point of departurePlato's comment that in learning what a thing is we should look to the ways in which it acts upon or is acted upon by other things. He commits to a methodological naturalism and draws upon current views from the social and biological sciences. The cluster theory he develops represents one of the very few completely novel theories of human nature developed in the post-Darwin era. It will prove most useful in dealing with philosophical questions involving such contemporary issues as cloning, cybernetics, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

The fundamental conceptual issue is how plastic and elastic is the nature of human nature. Just how different might we imagine human beings to be and still be human in the sense that they still possess whatever it is that accounts for a unique nature? The theory of human nature developed in this book is a descriptive, dynamic, bottom-up, non-essentialist, naturalist theory. Harris is well versed in classical philosophy and contemporary behavioral science. He writes in a graceful, open-ended way that both educates and illuminates renewed interest in what it means to be human.

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

The Ascent of Man develops a comprehensive theory of human nature. James F. Harris sees human nature as an emergent property that supervenes a cluster of properties. Despite significant overlap between individuals that have human nature and those that are biologically human, the concept of human nature developed in this book is different. Whether biologically human or not, an individual may be said to possess human nature. This theory of human nature is called the"cluster theory."

Harris takes as his point of departurePlato's comment that in learning what a thing is we should look to the ways in which it acts upon or is acted upon by other things. He commits to a methodological naturalism and draws upon current views from the social and biological sciences. The cluster theory he develops represents one of the very few completely novel theories of human nature developed in the post-Darwin era. It will prove most useful in dealing with philosophical questions involving such contemporary issues as cloning, cybernetics, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

The fundamental conceptual issue is how plastic and elastic is the nature of human nature. Just how different might we imagine human beings to be and still be human in the sense that they still possess whatever it is that accounts for a unique nature? The theory of human nature developed in this book is a descriptive, dynamic, bottom-up, non-essentialist, naturalist theory. Harris is well versed in classical philosophy and contemporary behavioral science. He writes in a graceful, open-ended way that both educates and illuminates renewed interest in what it means to be human.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Capital, Saving and Credit in Peasant Societies by James F. Harris
Cover of the book A Sourcebook on African-American Performance by James F. Harris
Cover of the book An Introduction to the History of Religion (Routledge Revivals) by James F. Harris
Cover of the book Vegetal Politics by James F. Harris
Cover of the book David Hume by James F. Harris
Cover of the book Civil Societies and Social Movements by James F. Harris
Cover of the book The Papers of Thomas Bowrey, 1669-1713 by James F. Harris
Cover of the book Copyright for Library and Information Service Professionals by James F. Harris
Cover of the book The Chiga of Uganda by James F. Harris
Cover of the book On Camera by James F. Harris
Cover of the book The Politics and Culture of Globalisation by James F. Harris
Cover of the book Globalization and Transnational Capitalism in Asia and Oceania by James F. Harris
Cover of the book Bad Mouthing by James F. Harris
Cover of the book Marriage and Sexuality in Medieval and Early Modern Iberia by James F. Harris
Cover of the book The Embedded Self by James F. Harris
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