recently published books in process thought...
2005
Allan, George and Merle F. Allshouse. Nature, Truth, and Value: Exploring the Thinking of Frederick Ferré. (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Rowman & Littlefield, 2005).
[
View Abstract
] [amazon.com]In this thorough compendium, nineteen accomplished scholars explore, in some manner the values they find inherent in the world, their nature, and revelence through the thought of Frederick Ferré. These essays, informed by the insights of Ferrz and coming from manifold perspectives--ethics, philosophy, theology, and environmental studies, advance an ambitious challenge to current intellectual and scholarly fashions.
Breuvart, Jean-Marie, ed. Les rythmes éducatifs dans la philosophie de Whitehead. (Frankfurt/Paris/Lancaster: Ontos Verlag, 2005). ISBN 3937202854
Brown, Jason W. Process and the Authentic Life: Toward a Psychology of Value. (Frankfurt/Paris/Lancaster: Ontos Verlag, 2005).
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View Abstract
] From the Process Thought series
The thesis advanced in this book is that feeling and cognition actualize through a process that originates in older brain formations and develops outward through limbic and cortical fields through the self-concept and private space into (as) the world. An iteration of this transition deposits acts, objects, feelings and utterances. Value is a mode of conceptual feeling that depends on the dominant phase in this transition: from desire through interest to object worth. Among the topics covered are subjective time and change, the epochal nature of objects and their temporal extensibility and the evolution of value from inorganic matter into organic form.
The theory of microgenesis informs this work. According to this theory, acts and objects evolve in milliseconds through phases that replicate patterns in forebrain evolution. The progression in the actualization of the mind/brain state is from archaic to recent in brain formation, from unity to diversity, from past to present and from mind to world. An account is given of the diversity of felt experience avoiding the reductionist moves characteristic of biological materialism and the inherent dualism of psychoanalytic and related theories.
The thesis advanced in this book is that feeling and cognition actualize through a process that originates in older brain formations and develops outward through limbic and cortical fields through the self-concept and private space into (as) the world. An iteration of this transition deposits acts, objects, feelings and utterances. Value is a mode of conceptual feeling that depends on the dominant phase in this transition: from desire through interest to object worth. Among the topics covered are subjective time and change, the epochal nature of objects and their temporal extensibility and the evolution of value from inorganic matter into organic form.
The theory of microgenesis informs this work. According to this theory, acts and objects evolve in milliseconds through phases that replicate patterns in forebrain evolution. The progression in the actualization of the mind/brain state is from archaic to recent in brain formation, from unity to diversity, from past to present and from mind to world. An account is given of the diversity of felt experience avoiding the reductionist moves characteristic of biological materialism and the inherent dualism of psychoanalytic and related theories.
Cahill, Reginald. Process Physics: From Information Theory to Quantum Space and Matter. (Happauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, 2005).
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] [amazon.com]
This book is about a new and very radical information-theoretic approach to comprehending and modelling reality. It is called Process Physics because it uses a process model of time rather than, as in current physics, a non-process geometrical model of time, a model so successfully developed and used by Galileo, Newton, Einstein and others that for many physicists the phenomenon of time is actually identified with this geometrical model. Now, for the first time in the history of physics, we have a model of time that includes the distinctions between past, present and future. These distinctions cannot be made in the geometrical model of time. For this reason we can call the current prevailing physics Non-Process Physics. In Process Physics we turn to a fundamental reformulation of the key concepts in physics. This entails that we must identify both the successes and failures of the Non-Process Physics, for it almost succeeded.
Crosby, Donald A. Novelty. (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Rowman & Littlefield, 2005).
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] [amazon.com]
The question of causality has haunted the history of Western metaphysics since the time of the Pre-Socratic philosophy. Hand-in-hand with attempts to address this question is the promise of unlocking larger and more complicated questions pertaining to human freedom. But what of novelty? In this brilliant extended essay Donald A. Crosby contends that, though novelty can't be comprehended without efficient causality, causality requires a concept of novelty; without it cause and effect relations are unintelligible and, indeed, impossible.
Dombrowski, Daniel A. Divine Beauty: The Aesthetics of Charles Hartshorne. (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Rowman & Littlefield, 2005).
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] [amazon.com]
Considered by many to be one of the greatest philosophers of religion and metaphysicians of the twentieth century, Charles Hartshorne (1897–2000) addressed questions of aesthetics throughout his long career. Yet his efforts in this area are perhaps the most neglected aspect of his extensive and highly nuanced thought. Divine Beauty offers the first detailed explication of Hartshorne's aesthetic theory and its place within his theocentric philosophy.
As Daniel A. Dombrowski explains, Hartshorne advanced a neoclassical or process theism that contrasted with the "classical" theism defended by traditionalist Jews, Christians, and Muslim believers. His conception of God was dipolar, which could attribute to God certain qualities that traditionalists would exclude. For example, in Hartshorne's view, God can embrace excellent aspects of both activity and passivity, or of permanence and change; classical theists, on the other hand, exclude passivity and change from their conceptions.
Dombrowski goes on to explain the ramifications of Hartshorne's view of God for aesthetics, which for him had both broad and narrow meanings: all sensory feeling or sensation, in the broad sense, and a disciplined feeling for beauty, in the narrow sense. Included are discussions on Hartshorne's famous appreciation for the aesthetics of bird song; his view of beauty as a mean between two sets of extremes; his idea of the aesthetic attitude, which concentrates on values that are intrinsic and immediately felt; and the place of death in his aesthetics, in which the value of our lives consists in the beauty or intensity of experience that we contribute to the divine life.
Filling an important gap in our understanding of Hartshorne, Divine Beauty also makes a persuasive case for the superiority of his neoclassical theism over classical theism.
As Daniel A. Dombrowski explains, Hartshorne advanced a neoclassical or process theism that contrasted with the "classical" theism defended by traditionalist Jews, Christians, and Muslim believers. His conception of God was dipolar, which could attribute to God certain qualities that traditionalists would exclude. For example, in Hartshorne's view, God can embrace excellent aspects of both activity and passivity, or of permanence and change; classical theists, on the other hand, exclude passivity and change from their conceptions.
Dombrowski goes on to explain the ramifications of Hartshorne's view of God for aesthetics, which for him had both broad and narrow meanings: all sensory feeling or sensation, in the broad sense, and a disciplined feeling for beauty, in the narrow sense. Included are discussions on Hartshorne's famous appreciation for the aesthetics of bird song; his view of beauty as a mean between two sets of extremes; his idea of the aesthetic attitude, which concentrates on values that are intrinsic and immediately felt; and the place of death in his aesthetics, in which the value of our lives consists in the beauty or intensity of experience that we contribute to the divine life.
Filling an important gap in our understanding of Hartshorne, Divine Beauty also makes a persuasive case for the superiority of his neoclassical theism over classical theism.
Eaton, Heather. Introducing Ecofeminist Theologies. (Edinburgh: T & T Clark Publishers, 2005).
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] [amazon.com]
Ecofeminism represents ways of discerning associations between the oppression and domination of both women and the earth. It refers to critical analyses, political actions, historical research, intuitions and ideals. Ecofeminist efforts are directed towards reducing further ecological and social devastation, and awakening consciousness to the immense beauty and elegance of all life on this fragile yet awesome blue-green planet.
This book introduces and explores ecofeminism and its encounter with theology, predominantly Christian theology in Eurowestern contexts. Its main goals are to understand the significance and implications of ecofeminism and its contribution and challenge to theology, and to assist ecofeminist theology, or theologies, to be more effective in preventing ecological ruin, assisting women's struggles for freedom and supporting the flourishing of all life on earth.
This book introduces and explores ecofeminism and its encounter with theology, predominantly Christian theology in Eurowestern contexts. Its main goals are to understand the significance and implications of ecofeminism and its contribution and challenge to theology, and to assist ecofeminist theology, or theologies, to be more effective in preventing ecological ruin, assisting women's struggles for freedom and supporting the flourishing of all life on earth.
Henning, Brian. The Ethics of Creativity: Beauty, Morality, and Nature in a Processive Cosmos. (Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2005).
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] [amazon.com]
A central concern of nearly every environmental ethic is its desire to extend the scope of direct moral concern beyond human beings to plants, nonhuman animals, and the systems of which they are a part. Although nearly all environmental philosophies have long since rejected modernity's conception of individuals as isolated and independent substances, few have replaced this worldview with an alternative that is adequate to the organic, processive world in which we find ourselves. In this context, Brian G. Henning argues that the often overlooked work of Alfred North Whitehead has the potential to make a significant contribution to environmental ethics. Additionally inspired by classical American philosophers such as William James, John Dewey and Charles Sanders Pierce and environmental philosophers such as Aldo Leopold, Peter Singer, Albert Schweitzer, and Arne Naess, Henning develops an ethical theory of which the seminal insight is called "The Ethics of Creativity."
By systematically examining and developing a conception of individuality that is equally at home with the microscopic world of subatomic events and the macroscopic world of ecosystems, The Ethics of Creativity correctly emphasizes the well-being of wholes, while not losing sight of the importance of the unique centers of value that constitute these wholes. In this way, The Ethics of Creativity has the potential to be a unique voice in contemporary moral philosophy.
By systematically examining and developing a conception of individuality that is equally at home with the microscopic world of subatomic events and the macroscopic world of ecosystems, The Ethics of Creativity correctly emphasizes the well-being of wholes, while not losing sight of the importance of the unique centers of value that constitute these wholes. In this way, The Ethics of Creativity has the potential to be a unique voice in contemporary moral philosophy.
Khamara, Edward J. Space, Time, and Theology in the Leibniz-Newton Controversy. (Frankfurt,/Paris/Lancaster: Ontos Verlag, 2006).
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] From the Process Thought series
In the famous Correspondence with Clarke, which took place during the last year of Leibniz’s life, Leibniz advanced several arguments purporting to refute the absolute theory of space and time that was held by Newton and his followers. The main aim of this book is to reassess Leibniz’s attack on the Newtonian theory in so far as he relied on the principle of the identity of indiscernibles. The theological side of the controversy is not ignored but isolated and discussed in the last three chapters, which deal with problems connected with the notions of omnipotence and omniscience.
In the famous Correspondence with Clarke, which took place during the last year of Leibniz’s life, Leibniz advanced several arguments purporting to refute the absolute theory of space and time that was held by Newton and his followers. The main aim of this book is to reassess Leibniz’s attack on the Newtonian theory in so far as he relied on the principle of the identity of indiscernibles. The theological side of the controversy is not ignored but isolated and discussed in the last three chapters, which deal with problems connected with the notions of omnipotence and omniscience.
Leue, William Hendrichs. Metaphysical Foundations for a Theory of Value in the Philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. (Ashfield, MA: Down-to-Earth Books, 2005).
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] [amazon.com]
Whitehead is fond of paradoxes, so perhaps it is appropriate that this [study] start with a paradox. The paradox is that Whitehead does not have a theory of value.
[But] perhaps this one is the ultimate paradox - the identification of the evanescent moment, the now, the ever-beginning, ever-perishing transience of the present with the ultimate reality which accounts for everything else, no matter how permanent or intricate, or noble, in the world. And yet this is certainly what Whitehead means to do.
Let there be no misunderstanding. Whitehead doesn't mean merely that through experience we "know" or have representations of the real world. Nor, at the other extreme, is he a solipsist. Experience is reality, but so is the world out there which is experienced.
... Things are so turbulent and wild - since actuality is nothing but an avalanche of fleeting moments of process - that the universe would fly apart in a millisecond if it were not for the unobtrusive, cohesive function of eternal objects.
[But] perhaps this one is the ultimate paradox - the identification of the evanescent moment, the now, the ever-beginning, ever-perishing transience of the present with the ultimate reality which accounts for everything else, no matter how permanent or intricate, or noble, in the world. And yet this is certainly what Whitehead means to do.
Let there be no misunderstanding. Whitehead doesn't mean merely that through experience we "know" or have representations of the real world. Nor, at the other extreme, is he a solipsist. Experience is reality, but so is the world out there which is experienced.
... Things are so turbulent and wild - since actuality is nothing but an avalanche of fleeting moments of process - that the universe would fly apart in a millisecond if it were not for the unobtrusive, cohesive function of eternal objects.
McDaniel, Jay and Donna Bowman. A Handbook of Process Theology (Atlanta: Chalice Press, 2005).
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] [amazon.com]
Handbook of Process Theology addresses both the depth and scope of process theological thought. It brings together distinguished contributors from several generations of process theological history to reflect on a multitude of outlooks and concerns, all grounded in the foundational emphases of the process approach: the discernment of an immanent and active divine presence in the evolution of the world and its inhabitants, and the call to creative engagement with the possibilities for progress and beauty where we now live. The essays cover important topics in Christian theology and philosophy of religion as well as interreligious dialogue, pastoral care, spirituality, the diversity of human experience, and cultural forms such as economics, politics, and the arts. Through the Handbook of Process Theology readers will gain an appreciation of the richness and scope of the process approach to spiritual living.
Riffert, Franz G., ed. Alfred North Whitehead on Learning and Education (Newcastle, U.K.: Cambridge Scholars Press, 2005).
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] [c-s-p.org]
Alfred North Whitehead's process philosophy is one of the most creative and promising approaches developed in the 20th century. Being a scholar who for most of his professional life worked in the fields of logic, mathematics, and physics it was one of Whitehead's major intentions to exemplarily demonstrate the possibility of the creative interplay between metaphysics and other disciplines such as aestethics, ethics, theology and especially the single sciences. One scientific field which he never lost interest in during his whole life was education, a key domain for prospering societies.
In this book a selection of 15 papers explores Whitehead's educational ideas which are based on his radical process approach. Following the Introduction which presents Whitehead's criticism of traditional education and the false psychology which it is based on, the book is divided into two major parts. The first part deals with Whitehead's philosophically inspired alternative theoretical framework for learning and education. Special focus is layed on the concept of the learning process which according to Whitehead is essentially cyclic in nature. In the second part it is shown how Whitehead's ideas can profitably be applied to different sub-domains within education: management education, college education and evalutation.
The book shows that Whitehead's process approach offers a promising alternative to traditional education.
In this book a selection of 15 papers explores Whitehead's educational ideas which are based on his radical process approach. Following the Introduction which presents Whitehead's criticism of traditional education and the false psychology which it is based on, the book is divided into two major parts. The first part deals with Whitehead's philosophically inspired alternative theoretical framework for learning and education. Special focus is layed on the concept of the learning process which according to Whitehead is essentially cyclic in nature. In the second part it is shown how Whitehead's ideas can profitably be applied to different sub-domains within education: management education, college education and evalutation.
The book shows that Whitehead's process approach offers a promising alternative to traditional education.
Robinson, Keith and André Cloots. Deleuze, Whitehead, and the Transformation of Metaphysics. (Brussels: Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie, 2005).
Weber, Michel. La dialectique de l’intuition chez Alfred North Whitehead: sensation pure pancréativité at contiguïsme (Frankfurt/Paris/Lancaster: Ontos Verlag, 2005). ISBN 3937202552
Weber, Michel and Diane d’Eprémesnil, eds. Chromatikon I: Yearbook of Philosophy in Process. (Louvain-la-Neuve: Presses Universitaires de Louvain, Belgium, 2005).
Whitehead, Alfred North, La science et le monde moderne [Science and the Modern World. The Lowell Lectures, 1925], translated by Henri Valliant with introduction by Jean-Marie Breuvart. (Frankfurt/Paris/Lancaster: Ontos Verlag, 2006). ISBN 3938793104
Xie, Wenyu, Zhihe Wang and George Derfer, eds. Whitehead and China. Relevance and Relationships. (Frankfurt/Paris/Lancaster: Ontos Verlag, 2005).
[
View Abstract
] From the Process Thought series
Whitehead acknowledged that “the philosophy of organism seems to approximate more to some strains of...Chinese thought.” Some scholars have attempted to explore this relationship and its implications. The Beijing Conference provided a good forum for interested and engaged scholars to address each other directly, in an atmosphere of mutual regard and respect. The ongoing scholarly work on process thinking in China is impressive. It is the editors’ conviction that the publication of this book in English will promote international discussion of the themes and issues herein set forth. This should contribute significantly to the broader discussion between West and East, so important in this age of cultural globalization.
Whitehead acknowledged that “the philosophy of organism seems to approximate more to some strains of...Chinese thought.” Some scholars have attempted to explore this relationship and its implications. The Beijing Conference provided a good forum for interested and engaged scholars to address each other directly, in an atmosphere of mutual regard and respect. The ongoing scholarly work on process thinking in China is impressive. It is the editors’ conviction that the publication of this book in English will promote international discussion of the themes and issues herein set forth. This should contribute significantly to the broader discussion between West and East, so important in this age of cultural globalization.