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 Readings In General Psychology by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Administrative Litigation Systems in Greater China and Europe by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book A History of Architectural Conservation by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book The New Spatial Planning by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Art and Identity in Thirteenth-Century Byzantium by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book The Evaluation and Treatment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Making the Metropolitan Landscape by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book The Crisis of the University by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Coercive Care by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book From Tejano to Tango by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Rethinking Historical Genres in the Twenty-First Century by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Advancing Pluralism in Teaching Economics by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Religion and Violence by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book The Jasper Project by Robin Gordon Brown, James Ladyman
Cover of the book Protestant Nonconformist Texts 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