D. S. Clarke - Böcker

Pragmatism is a widely misunderstood philosophical movement, with its central theses the subject of distortions. Perhaps the most serious of them is the widely held view that pragmatism is somehow antithetical to contemporary systematic philosophy, that it offers an alternative to what is labeled "analytic philosophy." In Some Pragmatist Themes, Dr. D. S. Clarke corrects this misunderstanding by demonstrating that certain general topics of controversy in recent American philosophy are derived from two central claims of classical pragmatism, the claims that cognitive inquiry must be understood relative to action and purpose, and that relations between inquiry, action, and purpose in humans have parallels in sub-human species. Clarke shows how from these claims follow distinctive pragmatist themes that engage us in compelling controversies regarding the nature of truth, the viability of reductionist projects, reference to the past, and the structure of moral reasoning. Throughout the book Clarke sustains the pragmatists' vision of philosophy as an antidote to specialization in the contemporary world, a discipline using critical reason in order to integrate factual information derived from science with moral values. Some Pragmatist Themes is a stimulating text that will appeal to those interested in contemporary philosophical issues and comparative literature.

Defends panpsychism, the view that mentality is present in all natural bodies with unified and persisting organization.Human beings have thoughts, sensations, and feelings and think that at least some of this mental life is shared with domestic and wild animals. But, are there reduced degrees of mentality found in mosquitoes, bacteria, and even more primitive natural bodies? Panpsychists think so and have defended this belief throughout the history of philosophy, beginning with the ancient Greeks and continuing into the present. In this bold, challenging book, D. S. Clarke outlines reasons for accepting panpsychism and defends the doctrine against its critics. He proposes it as an alternative to the mechanistic materialism and humanism that dominate present-day philosophy.

Defends panpsychism, the view that mentality is present in all natural bodies with unified and persisting organization.Human beings have thoughts, sensations, and feelings and think that at least some of this mental life is shared with domestic and wild animals. But, are there reduced degrees of mentality found in mosquitoes, bacteria, and even more primitive natural bodies? Panpsychists think so and have defended this belief throughout the history of philosophy, beginning with the ancient Greeks and continuing into the present. In this bold, challenging book, D. S. Clarke outlines reasons for accepting panpsychism and defends the doctrine against its critics. He proposes it as an alternative to the mechanistic materialism and humanism that dominate present-day philosophy.

An anthology of readings in panpsychism, spanning two millennia.Panpsychism is the view that mentality extends from humans to animals, insects, plant cells, and other natural bodies exhibiting persisting unity of organization. Formulated in ancient times, it has since undergone a series of reformulations and defenses against criticisms, and is now experiencing a revival of interest. This comprehensive anthology, which includes selections spanning two millennia, chronicles the history of panpsychism, beginning with the early cosmologists of Greek philosophy and continuing into the present. The major philosophers responsible for developing and defending modern panpsychism are represented, including Leibniz, Fechner, Clifford, and Whitehead; detractors such as Edwards and Popper are also featured. An introduction outlines the principal issues raised in the selections, while commentaries accompanying the selections place them in context.

An anthology of readings in panpsychism, spanning two millennia.Panpsychism is the view that mentality extends from humans to animals, insects, plant cells, and other natural bodies exhibiting persisting unity of organization. Formulated in ancient times, it has since undergone a series of reformulations and defenses against criticisms, and is now experiencing a revival of interest. This comprehensive anthology, which includes selections spanning two millennia, chronicles the history of panpsychism, beginning with the early cosmologists of Greek philosophy and continuing into the present. The major philosophers responsible for developing and defending modern panpsychism are represented, including Leibniz, Fechner, Clifford, and Whitehead; detractors such as Edwards and Popper are also featured. An introduction outlines the principal issues raised in the selections, while commentaries accompanying the selections place them in context.

'...useful to advanced undergraduates who are seeking a clear survey of the last 25 years of debate surrounding knowledge and belief, or for readers looking for contemporary versions of pragmatism....well produced with helpful notes and bibliography.' - Choice Reviews

First published in 1985, Practical Inferences describes how practical inferences are used. Starting with relatively simple inference patterns exhibited in everyday prudential decisions, the author extends a basic structural framework to the more complex inferences used in assessing probabilities, and finally to moral inferences. In this way what have been regarded as disparate activities are shown to exhibit fundamental similarities. The author argues that at all levels of decision-making the practical inferences used contain at least one premise expressing the desires or preferences of the agent. This is in opposition to the dominant view in Western philosophy that desires must be regulated or evaluated by means of principles of conduct discovered by rational procedures. By examining the premises implied by holders of this view, the author shows that they are inadequate bases for justifying practical decisions. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy, logic and mathematics.

First published in 1985, Practical Inferences describes how practical inferences are used. Starting with relatively simple inference patterns exhibited in everyday prudential decisions, the author extends a basic structural framework to the more complex inferences used in assessing probabilities, and finally to moral inferences. In this way what have been regarded as disparate activities are shown to exhibit fundamental similarities. The author argues that at all levels of decision-making the practical inferences used contain at least one premise expressing the desires or preferences of the agent. This is in opposition to the dominant view in Western philosophy that desires must be regulated or evaluated by means of principles of conduct discovered by rational procedures. By examining the premises implied by holders of this view, the author shows that they are inadequate bases for justifying practical decisions. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy, logic and mathematics.