Treatise on Basic Philosophy

Ontology I: The Furniture of the World

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Metaphysics, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects
Cover of the book Treatise on Basic Philosophy 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: 9789401099240
Publisher: Springer Netherlands Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer Language: English
Author: M. Bunge
ISBN: 9789401099240
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Publication: December 6, 2012
Imprint: Springer
Language: English

In this Introduction' we shall sketch the business of ontology, or metaphysics, and shall locate it on the map of learning. This has to be done because there are many ways of construing the word 'ontology' and because of the bad reputation metaphysics has suffered until recently - a well deserved one in most cases. 1. ONTOLOGICAL PROBLEMS Ontological (or metaphysical) views are answers to ontological ques­ tions. And ontological (or metaphysical) questions are questions with an extremely wide scope, such as 'Is the world material or ideal - or perhaps neutral?" 'Is there radical novelty, and if so how does it come about?', 'Is there objective chance or just an appearance of such due to human ignorance?', 'How is the mental related to the physical?', 'Is a community anything but the set of its members?', and 'Are there laws of history?'. Just as religion was born from helplessness, ideology from conflict, and technology from the need to master the environment, so metaphysics - just like theoretical science - was probably begotten by the awe and bewilderment at the boundless variety and apparent chaos of the phenomenal world, i. e. the sum total of human experience. Like the scientist, the metaphysician looked and looks for unity in diversity, for pattern in disorder, for structure in the amorphous heap of phenomena - and in some cases even for some sense, direction or finality in reality as a whole.

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

In this Introduction' we shall sketch the business of ontology, or metaphysics, and shall locate it on the map of learning. This has to be done because there are many ways of construing the word 'ontology' and because of the bad reputation metaphysics has suffered until recently - a well deserved one in most cases. 1. ONTOLOGICAL PROBLEMS Ontological (or metaphysical) views are answers to ontological ques­ tions. And ontological (or metaphysical) questions are questions with an extremely wide scope, such as 'Is the world material or ideal - or perhaps neutral?" 'Is there radical novelty, and if so how does it come about?', 'Is there objective chance or just an appearance of such due to human ignorance?', 'How is the mental related to the physical?', 'Is a community anything but the set of its members?', and 'Are there laws of history?'. Just as religion was born from helplessness, ideology from conflict, and technology from the need to master the environment, so metaphysics - just like theoretical science - was probably begotten by the awe and bewilderment at the boundless variety and apparent chaos of the phenomenal world, i. e. the sum total of human experience. Like the scientist, the metaphysician looked and looks for unity in diversity, for pattern in disorder, for structure in the amorphous heap of phenomena - and in some cases even for some sense, direction or finality in reality as a whole.

More books from Springer Netherlands

Cover of the book World Population Policies by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Epictetus Philosopher-Therapist by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Chlorine and the Environment by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Appearance and Sense by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Ferroelectric-Gate Field Effect Transistor Memories by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Individual Orientation in Education by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Truth in Science, the Humanities and Religion by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Globalisation and Historiography of National Leaders by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Topics in Igneous Petrology by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Millenarianism and Messianism in Early Modern European Culture Volume IV by M. Bunge
Cover of the book The Transantarctic Mountains by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Italian Syntax by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Service Robotics within the Digital Home by M. Bunge
Cover of the book New Horizons in Chinese Linguistics by M. Bunge
Cover of the book Health Care Systems 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