This is an English translation of Schelling's Ideas for a Philosophy of Nature (first published in 1797 and revised in 1803), one of the most significant works in the German tradition of philosophy of nature and early nineteenth-century philosophy of science. It stands in opposition to the Newtonian picture of matter as constituted by inert, impenetrable particles, and argues instead for matter as an equilibrium of active forces that engage in dynamic polar opposition to one another. In the revisions of (...) 1803 Schelling incorporated this dialectical view into a neo-Platonic conception of an original unity divided upon itself. The text is of more than simply historical interest: its daring and original vision of nature, philosophy, and empirical science will prove absorbing reading for all philosophers concerned with post-Kantian German idealism, for scholars of German Romanticism, and for historians of science. (shrink)

An Introduction to the Logic of the Computing Sciences provides an introduction to symbolic logic by creating connections with the diverse fields of philosophy, mathematics, computing sciences, law, business, popular culture, and ethics, so that students from varied backgrounds can grasp the ideas of logic. The author relates symbolic logic to computer science by introducing each logical principle by a truth table, flow chart, and algorithm. He emphasizes the connections between logic and the different subjects through over two hundred word (...) problems that relate to the different areas. Following a strategic plan that avoids intimidating students, the author introduces each new principle one at a time with a set of twenty exercises that require the use of that principle. He introduces the next principle with exercises that require the use of the new principle and the principles previously studied, gradually building on the knowledge of the student until he or she has a thorough understanding of symbolic logic. (shrink)

On the History of Modern Philosophy is a key transitional text in the history of European philosophy. In it, F. W. J. Schelling surveys philosophy from Descartes to German Idealism and shows why the Idealist project is ultimately doomed to failure. The lectures trace the path of philosophy from Descartes through Spinoza, Leibniz, Kant, Fichte, Jacobi, to Hegel and Schelling's own work. The extensive critiques of Hegel prefigure many of the arguments to be found in Feuerbach, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche, Heidegger, (...) and Derrida. This is the first English translation of On the History of Modern Philosophy. In his introduction Andrew Bowie sets the work in the context of Schelling's career and clarifies its philosophical issues. The translation will be of special interest to philosophers, intellectual historians, literary theorists, and theologians. (shrink)

"Geschichte," die zu denken gibt. Konnotationen des Geschichtsbegriffs aus theologischer Perspektive ; Die fundamentaltheologische Dichotomie ; Die Begründung einer theologischen Perspektive auf "Geschichte" ; Die theologische Tiefenstruktur von "Geschichte" als Aufgabe -- "Geschichte" als hermeneutische Aufgabe. "Geschichte" als Programm ; Die universalgeschichtliche Herausforderung ; "Geschichte" zwischen Offenbarung und Kerygema ; "Geschichte" als Denkbewegung -- "Geschichte" im Erzählen : Paul Ricœur. Der Wag in die Philosophie : Biographische Notizen zu Paul Ricœur ; Die Begründung der philosophie de la detour ; Auf (...) dem Weg zu einer Hermeneutik der Geschichte ; Der Wag in die Theologie -- "Geschichte" zwischen Erinnern und Erzählen : von der Phänomenologie zur Theologie. Die Dimension des Möglichen ; Die überkreuzte Referenz von Geschichte und Gedächtnis ; Geschichte coram Deo : Resümee und Ausblick -- "Geschichte" im Geschehen. Phänomenologisch-kerygmatische Theologie : zum Ansatz einer theologischen Lesart von "Geschichte" ; Christologische Mimesis : der dogmatische Kern theologischen Geshichtsverstehens ; Die christologische Lesart des Mimesiskonzepts -- "Geschichte," die nach Erzählung verlangt. Die hermeneutische Orientierung theologischer Reflexion auf "Geschichte" ; "Geschichte" als geschehen ; Die Eigenart des zu Erzählenden ; "Geschichte" für uns. (shrink)

This book introduces major philosophical theories and issues in the context of the contemporary debate about the so-called culture wars in American society. It is designed to make these theories come alive as they are related to these vital contemporary concerns and to provide a framework within which to assess the ongoing debate about the future direction of Western culture. As a book in ethical theory, it is designed to provide the framework for clear and comprehensive thinking about our cultural (...) development. Classical ethical positions like cultural relativism, emotivism, egoism, hedonism, utilitarianism and theorists like Kant are introduced and assessed. The contemporary theorists John Rawls and Alasdair MacIntyre are given extensive treatment and made accessible to the introductory student in philosophy. Culture War and Ethical Theory exhibits a non-ptolemical tone as it relates these theories, for heuristic purposes, to the contrasting perspective of fundamentalism and secular humanism. These two viewpoints are treated fairly without pretense of thorough exposition. They were chosen because they set the contemporary debate in stark relief. Thus, they assist the reader in understanding the relationship of philosophical reflection to commonly held perspectives. (shrink)

This new edition of The Heart is the flagship volume in a series of Dietrich von Hildebrand's works to be published by St. Augustine's Press in collaboration with the Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project. Founded in 2004, the Legacy Project exists in the first place to translate the many German writings of von Hildebrand into English. While many revere von Hildebrand as a religious author, few realize that he was a philosopher of great stature and importance. Those who knew von (...) Hildebrand as philosopher held him in the highest esteem. Louis Bouyer, for example, once said that "von Hildebrand was the most important Catholic philosopher in Europe between the two world wars." Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger expressed even greater esteem when he said: "I am personally convinced that, when, at some time in the future, the intellectual history of the Catholic Church in the twentieth century is written, the name of Dietrich von Hildebrand will be most prominent among the figures of our time." The Heart is an accessible yet important philosophical contribution to the understanding of the human person. In this work von Hildebrand is concerned with rehabilitating the affective life of the human person. He thinks that for too long philosophers have held it in suspicion and thought of it as embedded in the body and hence as being much inferior to intellect and will. In reality, he argues, the heart, the center of affectivity, has many different levels, including an eminently personal level; at this level affectivity is just as important a form of personal life as intellect and will. Von Hildebrand develops the idea that properly personal affectivity, far than tending away from an objective relation to being, is in fact one major way in which we transcend ourselves and give being its due. Von Hildebrand also developed the important idea that the heart "in many respects is more the real self of the person than his intellect or will." At the same time, the author shows full realism about the possible deformities of affective life; he offers rich analyses of what he calls affective atrophy and affective hypertrophy. The second half of The Heart offers a remarkable analysis of the affectivity of the God-Man. (shrink)