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 Green Parties in Europe by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book American Philanthropy Abroad by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Reducing Reoffending by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Celebration Capitalism and the Olympic Games by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book The Silence of Constitutions (Routledge Revivals) by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Hello Sailor! by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Listening to Children by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Personality Disorders and Eating Disorders: Exploring the Frontier by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book The Routledge Handbook of Health Communication by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Social Anthropology and Language by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Digital Interfacing by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Stealth KM by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Language and Thought by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Researching Life Stories by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Shaping the Economic Space in Russia: Decision Making Processes, Institutions and Adjustment to Change in the El'tsin Era 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