Those who find Buber's mature works, especially I and Thou, difficult will benefit from this early book. In it one can see Buber struggling with the (...) class='Hi'>same problems in a way which focuses them more clearly than in later works, even if the solution is less satisfactory. The translation is lucid, and the introduction is a substantial essay which provides an excellent entrée to Buber's thought, as well as to this book.—R. J. W. (shrink)

Until fairly recently a common way of doing history of science was to pick up an important strand of contemporary scientific thought and to trace its origin (...) back to the philosophical tangle of the scientific revolution. This approach conveniently by-passed the breakdowns of once useful and pervasive theories, and neglected the long intellectual journeys along devious routes. History of science read like a success story; the pioneers who failed were neither dismissed nor excused; they were simply ignored. The historian knew what he was hunting for and he was careful to limit his search to areas where his quarry was sure to be found. This method, which has been dubbed the precursor-view, stands in contrast—albeit, not in opposition—to the contextual method, which aims at a better understanding of the actual thought-processes of the early scientists. On this second view, history of science must not only account for present theories in the light of past developments, it must also assess old theories in terms of the scientist's conceptual framework, and judge them against the background of the world picture of his age. This may lead the historian down the blind alleys of the past, chasing spurious attempts at explaining the nature of physical reality, but it can clear the ground for a less anachronistic interpretation of the emergence of modern science and the actual process of discovery. History of science acts as a winnowing fork, but we cannot suppose that the discoverer himself always separated the wheat from the chaff, and we must be ever wary of equating the dream with the task. (shrink)

Lest one be misled by the title, this book is not a study of the social responsibilities of scientists. It is a careful, provocative argument that the (...) formal structures of scientific theory and ethical theory are analogous. The most interesting and far-reaching analogy developed by Dr. Margenau is between the fundamental postulates of theoretical science and the primary values of ethics. The author argues that primary values cannot be derived from something else, but must be postulated. He further sees an empirical relationship between these values and ethical imperatives, which provides the key to the possibility of validating ethical theories.—R. J. W. (shrink)

An excellent collection of Newman's writings, especially his late works on education, philosophy and theology. A few of his Anglican works and some autobiographical material are (...) class='Hi'>included, but only enough to give a sketch of his development.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A restatement of Thomistic educational philosophy designed to counter "progressive education." The author's polemical intentions color his entire study: Not only is Dewey treated unsympathetically, but (...) class='Hi'>elements in St. Thomas' thought with which Dewey would have agreed are de-emphasized.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A good selection from St. Augustine's writings, organized topically. Many passages are brief, but they are carefully ordered to present a coherent picture. The price one (...) class='Hi'>pays for this approach is the loss of a sense of Augustine's development.—R. J. W. (shrink)

In 1951 these editors began publication of a monumental critical edition of Plotinus' works. Now Oxford is making available a slightly revised editio minor in its series (...) of classical texts. The textual revision is accompanied by a long list of variants. Thus this text, which includes Porphyry's life of Plotinus and Enneads I-III, supersedes the earlier editio major. The critical apparatus is considerably reduced, but should prove adequate to all but serious textual scholars. This edition will probably remain the standard Plotinus text for many years.—R. J. W. (shrink)

The product of the seventh symposium of New York University's Institute of Philosophy, this volume centers on three topics: grounds for judgment of artistic excellence, interpretation (...) class='Hi'>of meaning in art criticism, and art and reality. Each of the three sections features a lead paper, followed by a series of comments. Issues raised by the main papers are quite thoroughly explored, but sometimes one wishes that provocative suggestions made in commentary were taken up by other participants.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A collection of Bainton's shorter papers on the Reformation period, some extensively revised. Most of the essays deal with either Luther or the "Left Wing" of (...) class='Hi'>the Reformation. Whether the topic is "The Struggle for Religious Liberty," or "Luther on Birds, Dogs, and Babies," Bainton maintains a high level of scholarship and style.—R. J. W. (shrink)

This careful and thorough study should lay to rest the charge that Plato allowed the individual no good of his own, but subordinated him entirely to the (...) state. Virtue is within the reach of every man, not just the philosopher. Hall argues that the early Socratic dialogues show a progressive rejection of utilitarianism, and that Plato consistently maintained the position that virtue is valuable in itself. He persuasively draws on the distinction between knowledge and true opinion to show that there is a mutual dependence between justice in the state and in the individual. Finally he discusses the differences between Plato's rather restricted individualism and that of modern democratic theory.—R. J. W. (shrink)

One finds here a collection of what theologians, philosophers, poets, and biblical writers have had to say about omnipotence, with the conclusion that Jonathan Edwards was correct.— (...) class='Hi'>R. J. W. (shrink)

In this, the 1965 Aquinas Lecture, Dr. Riedl examines the future of universities in the light of three basic discrepancies between their historical functions and present roles: (...) loss of their status as sole agency for the advancement of learning, loss of their function as educator of clerics, and loss of their role as sole arbiters of professional education and standards. He concludes that we need a theory of administration that allows decentralization of control without compartmentalization, a theory of creativity in research and teaching, and a theory of colleagueship that does justice to the realities of institutional and professional loyalties.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A popular and, on the whole, sympathetic introduction to Kierkegaard. The author, a leading evangelical theologian, tries to separate criticism from exposition. His interest is clearly in (...) Kierkegaard as theologian, not as philosopher.—R. J. W. (shrink)

Mourant has provided a carefully edited, topically organized anthology. The introductions are clearly written. One still waits, however, for an Augustinian anthology which reveals, rather than conceals (...) Augustine's development.—R. J. W. (shrink)

This new translation makes Xenophon's interpretation of Socrates readily available for the first time in a low-priced edition. With the exception of unnecessarily literal repetitions of (...) class='Hi'> "by Zeus," the translation is smooth. The introduction is somewhat restricted in its usefulness by the assumption that those who condemned Socrates could not have understood what they were doing and by a tendency to blur differences between Plato's and Xenophon's portraits of Socrates.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A survey of the history of the ideal of a balance between man and nature in America, this book outlines the development of the conservation movement and (...) summarizes the thinking of such men as Thoreau. One misses a critical discussion of the men and ideas opposed by the conservationists, e.g., Carnegie. The discussion of contemporary problems, the population-explosion and the arms race, is provocative but less careful and well-documented than the rest of the book.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A collection of essays attempting to show the adequacy of Christianity as a total world-view. The essays are more meditative than reflective, more confessional than critical.--R (...) class='Hi'>. J. W. (shrink)

One might intuitively expect that logic would lend itself to programmed teaching. This text shows that it does. The authors have provided a carefully worked out program (...) for the propositional calculus. Considerable emphasis is placed on the intuitive plausibility of moves. The student is first introduced to Principia Mathematica notation, then shown the advantages of Polish, which is used throughout the remainder of the text. The program includes techniques for discovering proofs and a thorough discussion of validity.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A thorough study of Lewis' thought and writings, which combines literary criticism with theological exposition. Kilby shows the basic unity of thought which underlies Lewis' great variety (...) of literary forms. His exposition of Lewis' version of classical Christian orthodoxy is careful and balanced.—R. J. W. (shrink)

Those who know only Anselm the theologian would do well to spend some time with this extremely thorough study of his most famous logical treatise. The author (...) provides a synopsis, a new edition of the text, a new translation, an informal exposition, and a formal one using the logic of Lesniewski. His thesis is that the De Grammatico is a careful and subtle examination of the theory of paronymy, or, in modern terms, the problem of sense and reference. Anselm's work is both placed in its historical context and related to contemporary issues in logic. One might hope that in a revised edition the text and translation would be printed in parallel, rather than in sequence.—R. J. W. (shrink)

The first of a series of volumes containing Albright's shorter writings, some never before published, and the rest revised. In this volume Albright develops his philosophy (...) class='Hi'>of history more explicitly than elsewhere, elaborating his distinction between proto-logical, empirico-logical and logical levels of thought. He is very critical of philosophical system-building, especially of the idealistic type, and he sharply contrasts post-Kantian developments in epistemology with what he regards to be the correct epistemology of history. In addition to these broad considerations, there are more technical discussions of Near Eastern religions, review articles of philosophical historians, and an autobiographical sketch. This volume reflects the great range and quality of scholarship which have made its author one of America's most famous scholars.—R. J. W. (shrink)

The Republic is here treated as an introduction to philosophy. The authors systematically summarize and criticize the various topics and arguments Plato used. No line-by-line scholarly (...) class='Hi'> commentary is attempted; rather the emphasis is on the philosophical importance and truth of Plato's arguments. Unfortunately the result of this approach is that the Republic becomes an introduction to the British brand of philosophical analysis, rather than to Plato's philosophy. Literary form and dramatic situation are virtually ignored, and with them Plato's conception of philosophy as shared inquiry. The most sympathetic chapter is the one in which analysis is subordinated to scholarship.—R. J. W. (shrink)

Here is Plotinus in a truly useful form; useful, that is, for teachers of the history of philosophy who have felt uneasy at having to omit one (...) of the seminal figures in its development. Ten treatises are included, each in its entirety, conveying the complexity of Plotinus' thought surprisingly well. One can find little fault with either selection or translation. In addition, the editor has provided a good introduction, notes on Plotinus' sources, an appendix of related readings, a glossary, and an annotated bibliography.—R. J. W. (shrink)

"And God said...." The author of this interesting study takes seriously the use of the italicized word in the biblical account of Creation. His thesis is that (...) a modified version of the late J. L. Austin's analysis of "performatory" language can be used to reinterpret the traditional Christian claim that God "created" the world. The first half of the book is a purely philosophical analysis of self-involving language. Of particular importance is its clear distinction between, and logical mapping of, performative and expressive language. In the second half this analysis is applied to biblical talk about Creation, an application which is made more valuable by the author's thorough grounding in biblical theology.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A Thomistic analysis of human nature which attempts to show how modern discoveries in physiology and physiological psychology are consistent with St. Thomas' teachings. The author indicates (...) in the preface that he has written this book to show that modern forms of empiricism and materialism are not logical consequences of modern science. Unfortunately, the text itself ignores the challenge of recent trends in philosophy rather than engaging them in critical encounter.—R. J. W. (shrink)

Our aim is to expand the regulative ideal governing consent. We argue that consent should not only be informed but also based on rational beliefs. We argue (...) that holding true beliefs promotes autonomy. Information is important insofar as it helps a person to hold the relevant true beliefs. But in order to hold the relevant true beliefs, competent people must also think rationally. Insofar as information is important, rational deliberation is important. Just as physicians should aim to provide relevant information regarding the medical procedures prior to patients consenting to have those procedures, they should also assist patients to think more rationally. We distinguish between rational choice/action and rational belief. While autonomous choice need not necessarily be rational, it should be based on rational belief. The implication for the doctrine of informed consent and the practice of medicine is that, if physicians are to respect patient autonomy and help patients to choose and act more rationally, not only must they provide information, but they should care more about the theoretical rationality of their patients. They should not abandon their patients to irrationality. They should help their patients to deliberate more effectively and to care more about thinking rationally. We illustrate these arguments in the context of Jehovah's Witnesses refusing life-saving blood transfusions. Insofar as Jehovah's Witnesses should be informed of the consequences of their actions, they should also deliberate rationally about these consequences. (shrink)

One might intuitively expect that logic would lend itself to programmed teaching. This text shows that it does. The authors have provided a carefully worked out program (...) for the propositional calculus. Considerable emphasis is placed on the intuitive plausibility of moves. The student is first introduced to Principia Mathematica notation, then shown the advantages of Polish, which is used throughout the remainder of the text. The program includes techniques for discovering proofs and a thorough discussion of validity.—R. J. W. (shrink)

This seventh John Dewey Lecture brings together the existentialist concern for "the meaning of life" with the analytical interest in precision in linguistic meanings. The treatment is (...) provocative, though schematic. A brief analysis of "the meaning of life" is given, and then applied to education with considerable insight.—R. J. W. (shrink)

A lively and sympathetic critique of the ecumenical movement, emphasizing that unity is a Christian goal only as it contributes to the Church's ability to fulfill (...) class='Hi'>its mission. There is a good discussion of the significance of Roman Catholic and Orthodox participation in what was originally a Protestant movement. Marty's thesis is that enough unity has been attained now to get on with the mission.--R. J. W. (shrink)