Author: Peter Alexander
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521267076
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
This study presents a substantial and often radical reinterpretation of some of the central themes of Locke's thought. Professor Alexander concentrates on the Essay Concerning Human Understanding and aims to restore that to its proper historical context. In Part I he gives a clear exposition of some of the scientific theories of Robert Boyle, which, he argues, heavily influenced Locke in employing similar concepts and terminology. Against this background, he goes on in Part II to provide an account of Locke's views on the external world and our knowledge of it. He shows those views to be more consistent and plausible than is generally allowed, demonstrating how they make sense and enable scientific explanations of nature. In examining the views of Locke and Boyle together, the book throws light both on the development of philosophy and the beginnings of modern science, and in particular it makes a considerable and original contribution to our understanding of Locke's philosophy.
Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles
Author: Peter Alexander
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521267076
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
This study presents a substantial and often radical reinterpretation of some of the central themes of Locke's thought. Professor Alexander concentrates on the Essay Concerning Human Understanding and aims to restore that to its proper historical context. In Part I he gives a clear exposition of some of the scientific theories of Robert Boyle, which, he argues, heavily influenced Locke in employing similar concepts and terminology. Against this background, he goes on in Part II to provide an account of Locke's views on the external world and our knowledge of it. He shows those views to be more consistent and plausible than is generally allowed, demonstrating how they make sense and enable scientific explanations of nature. In examining the views of Locke and Boyle together, the book throws light both on the development of philosophy and the beginnings of modern science, and in particular it makes a considerable and original contribution to our understanding of Locke's philosophy.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521267076
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 360
Book Description
This study presents a substantial and often radical reinterpretation of some of the central themes of Locke's thought. Professor Alexander concentrates on the Essay Concerning Human Understanding and aims to restore that to its proper historical context. In Part I he gives a clear exposition of some of the scientific theories of Robert Boyle, which, he argues, heavily influenced Locke in employing similar concepts and terminology. Against this background, he goes on in Part II to provide an account of Locke's views on the external world and our knowledge of it. He shows those views to be more consistent and plausible than is generally allowed, demonstrating how they make sense and enable scientific explanations of nature. In examining the views of Locke and Boyle together, the book throws light both on the development of philosophy and the beginnings of modern science, and in particular it makes a considerable and original contribution to our understanding of Locke's philosophy.
Locke's Image of the World
Author: Michael Jacovides
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198789866
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
Michael Jacovides provides an engaging account of how the scientific revolution influenced one of the foremost figures of early modern philosophy, John Locke. By placing Locke's thought in its scientific, religious, and anti-scholastic contexts, Jacovides explains not only what Locke believes but also why he believes it.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198789866
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 256
Book Description
Michael Jacovides provides an engaging account of how the scientific revolution influenced one of the foremost figures of early modern philosophy, John Locke. By placing Locke's thought in its scientific, religious, and anti-scholastic contexts, Jacovides explains not only what Locke believes but also why he believes it.
Locke's Metaphysics
Author: Matthew Stuart
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191662828
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 541
Book Description
Though John Locke set out to write a book that would resolve questions about the origin and scope of human knowledge, his Essay Concerning Human Understanding is also a profound contribution to metaphysics, full of arguments about the fundamental features of bodies, the notions of essence and kind, the individuation of material objects, personal identity, the nature and scope of volition, freedom of action, freedom of will, and the relationship between matter and mind. Matthew Stuart examines a broad range of these arguments, and explores the relationships between them. He offers fresh interpretations of such familiar material as the distinction between primary and secondary qualities, and Locke's account of personal identity; and he also takes us deeper into less familiar territory, including Locke's case against materialism and his philosophy of action. Locke's Metaphysics shows Locke to be a more consistent, systematic and interesting metaphysician than is generally appreciated. It defends him against charges of muddling the definition of 'quality', of waffling between two conceptions of secondary qualities, and of vacillating in his commitment to mechanism. It shows how his rejection of essentialism leads him to embrace relativism about identity, and that his relativism about identity is the key to defending his account of personal identity against several objections. Yet the picture of Locke that emerges is not always a familiar one. Stuart's account reveals that he is a philosopher who denies the existence of relations, who takes bodies to be colored only so long as we are looking at them, and who is not committed to mechanism. He shows that Locke takes persons to be three-dimensional beings whose pasts are 'gappy' rather than continuous. Finally, he shows that Locke is a volitionist who holds that we can will only our own thoughts and bodily motions, and not such episodes as lighting a candle or turning the pages of a book.
Publisher: OUP Oxford
ISBN: 0191662828
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 541
Book Description
Though John Locke set out to write a book that would resolve questions about the origin and scope of human knowledge, his Essay Concerning Human Understanding is also a profound contribution to metaphysics, full of arguments about the fundamental features of bodies, the notions of essence and kind, the individuation of material objects, personal identity, the nature and scope of volition, freedom of action, freedom of will, and the relationship between matter and mind. Matthew Stuart examines a broad range of these arguments, and explores the relationships between them. He offers fresh interpretations of such familiar material as the distinction between primary and secondary qualities, and Locke's account of personal identity; and he also takes us deeper into less familiar territory, including Locke's case against materialism and his philosophy of action. Locke's Metaphysics shows Locke to be a more consistent, systematic and interesting metaphysician than is generally appreciated. It defends him against charges of muddling the definition of 'quality', of waffling between two conceptions of secondary qualities, and of vacillating in his commitment to mechanism. It shows how his rejection of essentialism leads him to embrace relativism about identity, and that his relativism about identity is the key to defending his account of personal identity against several objections. Yet the picture of Locke that emerges is not always a familiar one. Stuart's account reveals that he is a philosopher who denies the existence of relations, who takes bodies to be colored only so long as we are looking at them, and who is not committed to mechanism. He shows that Locke takes persons to be three-dimensional beings whose pasts are 'gappy' rather than continuous. Finally, he shows that Locke is a volitionist who holds that we can will only our own thoughts and bodily motions, and not such episodes as lighting a candle or turning the pages of a book.
Locke’s Ideas of Mind and Body
Author: Han-Kyul Kim
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1315279754
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 251
Book Description
This book begins with a survey of various readings of Locke as a materialist, as a substance dualist, and as a property dualist, and demonstrates that these inconsistent interpretations result from a general failure of modern commentators to notice the significance of Locke’s ‘mind-body nominalism’. By illuminating this largely overlooked aspect of Locke’s philosophy, this book reveals a common mistake of previous interpretations: that of treating what Locke conceives to be ‘nominal’ as real. The nominal symmetry that Locke posits between mind and body is distinct from any form of metaphysical dualism, whether substance dualism or property dualism. It is a brand of naturalism, but does not insist that the material is ontologically more basic than the mental or that the former determines the latter. On this view, the material and the mental both relate solely to a certain set of functional roles, rather than to an intrinsic property that plays these roles. The term ‘matter’ is thus rendered vague, and materialism is conceived as a precariously grounded ontological doctrine. Elaborating on this interpretation of Locke’s Essay, this book examines the insightful readings of Locke developed by seventeenth- and eighteenth-century thinkers such as Richard Burthogge, William Carroll, and Joseph Priestley. This book also seeks to clarify what Locke’s position would look like in a modern setting by noting some significant parallels with the ideas of leading contemporary philosophers such as Donald Davidson, David Lewis, and Colin McGinn.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1315279754
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 251
Book Description
This book begins with a survey of various readings of Locke as a materialist, as a substance dualist, and as a property dualist, and demonstrates that these inconsistent interpretations result from a general failure of modern commentators to notice the significance of Locke’s ‘mind-body nominalism’. By illuminating this largely overlooked aspect of Locke’s philosophy, this book reveals a common mistake of previous interpretations: that of treating what Locke conceives to be ‘nominal’ as real. The nominal symmetry that Locke posits between mind and body is distinct from any form of metaphysical dualism, whether substance dualism or property dualism. It is a brand of naturalism, but does not insist that the material is ontologically more basic than the mental or that the former determines the latter. On this view, the material and the mental both relate solely to a certain set of functional roles, rather than to an intrinsic property that plays these roles. The term ‘matter’ is thus rendered vague, and materialism is conceived as a precariously grounded ontological doctrine. Elaborating on this interpretation of Locke’s Essay, this book examines the insightful readings of Locke developed by seventeenth- and eighteenth-century thinkers such as Richard Burthogge, William Carroll, and Joseph Priestley. This book also seeks to clarify what Locke’s position would look like in a modern setting by noting some significant parallels with the ideas of leading contemporary philosophers such as Donald Davidson, David Lewis, and Colin McGinn.
Berkeley's 'Three Dialogues'
Author: Aaron Garrett
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1441194878
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 172
Book Description
Berkeley's Three Dialogues is a key text in the history of philosophy-the dialogues are, with the exception of Hume's, arguably the most important philosophical dialogues written in English. In Berkeley's "Three Dialogues": A Reader's Guide, Aaron Garrett offers a clear and thorough account of this key philosophical work. The guide explores the complex and important ideas inherent in the text and provides a cogent survey of the reception and influence of Berkeley's work.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1441194878
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 172
Book Description
Berkeley's Three Dialogues is a key text in the history of philosophy-the dialogues are, with the exception of Hume's, arguably the most important philosophical dialogues written in English. In Berkeley's "Three Dialogues": A Reader's Guide, Aaron Garrett offers a clear and thorough account of this key philosophical work. The guide explores the complex and important ideas inherent in the text and provides a cogent survey of the reception and influence of Berkeley's work.
Nietzsche and Metaphysics
Author: Peter Poellner
Publisher: Clarendon Press
ISBN: 9780198250630
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
Peter Poellner offers a comprehensive interpretation and a detailed critical assessment of Nietzsche's later ideas on epistemology and metaphysics, drawing on his published works and his largely unpublished voluminous notebooks.
Publisher: Clarendon Press
ISBN: 9780198250630
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
Peter Poellner offers a comprehensive interpretation and a detailed critical assessment of Nietzsche's later ideas on epistemology and metaphysics, drawing on his published works and his largely unpublished voluminous notebooks.
50 Philosophy of Science Ideas You Really Need to Know
Author: Gareth Southwell
Publisher: Greenfinch
ISBN: 1782061428
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 271
Book Description
Science first began as a branch of philosophy, but it has since grown up and moved out of the family home, and its successes have put its parent in the shade. Thanks to scientific knowledge we have walked on the Moon, cured once-fatal illnesses, and even identified the very building blocks of life and the universe. But it is these very successes that underline the need for philosophy. How much should we trust the pronouncements of scientists that we read in the media? What are the ethical implications of our delving into the foundations of our DNA, reproductive treatments, or artificially prolonging life? And are there limits to what science can tell us about the world we think we know? In straightforward and accessible terms, 50 Philosophy of Science Ideas You Really Need to Know explains the key philosophical questions that continue to lie at the heart of the nature and practice of science today. The ideas explored include: Appearance and reality; Knowledge; Anti-realism; Metaphysics; Science and gender; Phenomenology and science.
Publisher: Greenfinch
ISBN: 1782061428
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 271
Book Description
Science first began as a branch of philosophy, but it has since grown up and moved out of the family home, and its successes have put its parent in the shade. Thanks to scientific knowledge we have walked on the Moon, cured once-fatal illnesses, and even identified the very building blocks of life and the universe. But it is these very successes that underline the need for philosophy. How much should we trust the pronouncements of scientists that we read in the media? What are the ethical implications of our delving into the foundations of our DNA, reproductive treatments, or artificially prolonging life? And are there limits to what science can tell us about the world we think we know? In straightforward and accessible terms, 50 Philosophy of Science Ideas You Really Need to Know explains the key philosophical questions that continue to lie at the heart of the nature and practice of science today. The ideas explored include: Appearance and reality; Knowledge; Anti-realism; Metaphysics; Science and gender; Phenomenology and science.
Locke, Berkeley, Kant: 2nd edition
Author: Yasuhiko Tomida
Publisher: Georg Olms Verlag
ISBN: 3487153068
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 251
Book Description
Dieser Band enthält Yasuhiko Tomidas bemerkenswerte Essays über Locke, Berkeley und Kant sowie einen Aufsatz, der Denkanstöße gibt und gemeinsam mit einem Experimental-Physiker verfasst wurde. Tomida behauptet, dass der logische Platz der Theorie der Ideen ursprünglich ‚naturalistisch‘ ist im Quine’schen Sinn des Begriffs, und dass Berkeley und Kant ihn auf ihre jeweilige Weise ‚entstellen‘. Damit bietet der Autor eine völlig neue Perspektive auf die Historiographie der Theorie der Ideen. Die durchgesehene und erweiterte zweite Auflage enthält einen zusätzlichen Aufsatz über Lockes holistische Logik. „Professor Tomida hat wertvolle, neue Einsichten zum Verständnis von Lockes Text geliefert. Wer auch immer an Lockes Darstellung des Wissens und der impliziten Ontologie des Essay interessiert ist, sollte sein Werk sehr sorgfältig studieren.“ (John W. Yolton) „Der Verfasser ist zehn Jahre lang für seine Grundüberzeugung bezüglich Locke eingetreten; es gibt sicherlich vieles, was für seine Berkeley-Interpretation spricht (und seine Kenntnis der Texte und der Sekundärliteratur ist beeindruckend), und selbst wenn Berkeley oder einer seiner Anhänger eine Verteidigung gegen den Vorwurf einer Entstellung versuchen wollten, bin ich keineswegs überzeugt, dass sie ‚gewinnen‘ würden. ... Es macht mir immer Vergnü¬gen, Tomida zu lesen. ... Was ich auch von Tomida lese, es trägt zu meiner Hochachtung für ihn als Locke-Experten bei.“ (Ian C. Tipton) This volume consists of Yasuhiko Tomida’s notable essays on Locke, Berkeley, and Kant as well as a thought-provoking article written in collaboration with an experimental physicist. Tomida asserts that the logical space of the theory of ideas is originally ‘naturalistic’ in Quine’s sense of the term and that Berkeley and Kant ‘distort’ it in their respective ways, thus offering a wholly new viewpoint concerning the historiography of the theory of ideas. The revised and enlarged second edition carries one more article on Locke’s holistic logic. ‘Professor Tomida has brought some valuable, fresh insights to the reading of Locke’s text. All those interested in Locke’s account of knowledge and the implicit ontology of the Essay should examine [his work] very carefully.’ John W. Yolton ‘The author has … been arguing for his basic stance of Locke for these ten years; his reading of Berkeley certainly does have a lot going for it (and his knowledge on the texts and the secondary literature is impressive), and even if Berkeley or a Berkeleian might attempt some sort of defence against that charge of a distortion, I am not totally convinced that they’d “win”. … I always enjoy reading Tomida. … [E]verything I read by Tomida contributes to my respect for him as a Locke scholar.’ Ian C. Tipton
Publisher: Georg Olms Verlag
ISBN: 3487153068
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 251
Book Description
Dieser Band enthält Yasuhiko Tomidas bemerkenswerte Essays über Locke, Berkeley und Kant sowie einen Aufsatz, der Denkanstöße gibt und gemeinsam mit einem Experimental-Physiker verfasst wurde. Tomida behauptet, dass der logische Platz der Theorie der Ideen ursprünglich ‚naturalistisch‘ ist im Quine’schen Sinn des Begriffs, und dass Berkeley und Kant ihn auf ihre jeweilige Weise ‚entstellen‘. Damit bietet der Autor eine völlig neue Perspektive auf die Historiographie der Theorie der Ideen. Die durchgesehene und erweiterte zweite Auflage enthält einen zusätzlichen Aufsatz über Lockes holistische Logik. „Professor Tomida hat wertvolle, neue Einsichten zum Verständnis von Lockes Text geliefert. Wer auch immer an Lockes Darstellung des Wissens und der impliziten Ontologie des Essay interessiert ist, sollte sein Werk sehr sorgfältig studieren.“ (John W. Yolton) „Der Verfasser ist zehn Jahre lang für seine Grundüberzeugung bezüglich Locke eingetreten; es gibt sicherlich vieles, was für seine Berkeley-Interpretation spricht (und seine Kenntnis der Texte und der Sekundärliteratur ist beeindruckend), und selbst wenn Berkeley oder einer seiner Anhänger eine Verteidigung gegen den Vorwurf einer Entstellung versuchen wollten, bin ich keineswegs überzeugt, dass sie ‚gewinnen‘ würden. ... Es macht mir immer Vergnü¬gen, Tomida zu lesen. ... Was ich auch von Tomida lese, es trägt zu meiner Hochachtung für ihn als Locke-Experten bei.“ (Ian C. Tipton) This volume consists of Yasuhiko Tomida’s notable essays on Locke, Berkeley, and Kant as well as a thought-provoking article written in collaboration with an experimental physicist. Tomida asserts that the logical space of the theory of ideas is originally ‘naturalistic’ in Quine’s sense of the term and that Berkeley and Kant ‘distort’ it in their respective ways, thus offering a wholly new viewpoint concerning the historiography of the theory of ideas. The revised and enlarged second edition carries one more article on Locke’s holistic logic. ‘Professor Tomida has brought some valuable, fresh insights to the reading of Locke’s text. All those interested in Locke’s account of knowledge and the implicit ontology of the Essay should examine [his work] very carefully.’ John W. Yolton ‘The author has … been arguing for his basic stance of Locke for these ten years; his reading of Berkeley certainly does have a lot going for it (and his knowledge on the texts and the secondary literature is impressive), and even if Berkeley or a Berkeleian might attempt some sort of defence against that charge of a distortion, I am not totally convinced that they’d “win”. … I always enjoy reading Tomida. … [E]verything I read by Tomida contributes to my respect for him as a Locke scholar.’ Ian C. Tipton
Metaphysics and Oppression
Author: John McCumber
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 9780253334732
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 368
Book Description
"In this stunning philosophical accomplishment, McCumber sheds important new light on the history of substance metaphysics and Heidegger's challenge to metaphysical thinking.... Well-documented, brilliant, definitely a major contribution to philosophy!" --Choice In this compelling work, John McCumber unfolds a history of Western metaphysics that is also a history of the legitimation of oppression. That is, until Heidegger. But Heidegger himself did not see how his conception of metaphysics opened doors to challenge the domination encoded in structures and institutions--such as slavery, colonialism, and marriage--that in the past have given order to the Western world.
Publisher: Indiana University Press
ISBN: 9780253334732
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 368
Book Description
"In this stunning philosophical accomplishment, McCumber sheds important new light on the history of substance metaphysics and Heidegger's challenge to metaphysical thinking.... Well-documented, brilliant, definitely a major contribution to philosophy!" --Choice In this compelling work, John McCumber unfolds a history of Western metaphysics that is also a history of the legitimation of oppression. That is, until Heidegger. But Heidegger himself did not see how his conception of metaphysics opened doors to challenge the domination encoded in structures and institutions--such as slavery, colonialism, and marriage--that in the past have given order to the Western world.
A Powerful Particulars View of Causation
Author: R.D. Ingthorsson
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000361039
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 165
Book Description
This book critically examines the recent discussions of powers and powers-based accounts of causation. The author then develops an original view of powers-based causation that aims to be compatible with the theories and findings of natural science. Recently, there has been a dramatic revival of realist approaches to properties and causation, which focus on the relevance of Aristotelian metaphysics and the notion of powers for a scientifically informed view of causation. In this book, R.D. Ingthorsson argues that one central feature of powers-based accounts of causation is arguably incompatible with what is today recognised as fact in the sciences, notably that all interactions are thoroughly reciprocal. Ingthorsson’s powerful particulars view of causation accommodates for the reciprocity of interactions. It also draws out the consequences of that view for issue of causal necessity and offers a way to understand the constitution and persistence of compound objects as causal phenomena. Furthermore, Ingthorsson argues that compound entities, so understood, are just as much processes as they are substances. A Powerful Particulars View of Causation will be of great interest to scholars and advanced students working in metaphysics, philosophy of science, and neo-Aristotelian philosophy, while also being accessible for a general audience. The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003094241, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000361039
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 165
Book Description
This book critically examines the recent discussions of powers and powers-based accounts of causation. The author then develops an original view of powers-based causation that aims to be compatible with the theories and findings of natural science. Recently, there has been a dramatic revival of realist approaches to properties and causation, which focus on the relevance of Aristotelian metaphysics and the notion of powers for a scientifically informed view of causation. In this book, R.D. Ingthorsson argues that one central feature of powers-based accounts of causation is arguably incompatible with what is today recognised as fact in the sciences, notably that all interactions are thoroughly reciprocal. Ingthorsson’s powerful particulars view of causation accommodates for the reciprocity of interactions. It also draws out the consequences of that view for issue of causal necessity and offers a way to understand the constitution and persistence of compound objects as causal phenomena. Furthermore, Ingthorsson argues that compound entities, so understood, are just as much processes as they are substances. A Powerful Particulars View of Causation will be of great interest to scholars and advanced students working in metaphysics, philosophy of science, and neo-Aristotelian philosophy, while also being accessible for a general audience. The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003094241, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.