process studies articles @ religion online...
Volume 27 (1998)
- Number 1-2, Spring-Summer 1998
- Foundations of Cognitive Metaphysics by Jason W. Brown
- Lewis S. Ford: A Life In Process by George R. Lucas, Jr.
- Lewis S. Ford’s Theology: A Critical Appreciation by Robert Neville
- Re-Reading Science and the Modern World by John B. Cobb, Jr.
- The Approach to Whitehead: Traditional? Genetic? or Systematic? by Jorge Luis Nobo
- The Consequences of Prehending the Consequent Nature by Lewis S. Ford
- The Enigmatic "Passage of the Consequent Nature to the Temporal World" in Process and Reality: An Al by Denis Hurtubise
- The Prehensibility of God’s Consequent Nature by Palmyre M. F. Oomen
This article explores some of the implications for process philosophy of a new approach to brain psychology and the dynamics of the mental state -- microgenetic theory -- that has developed out of the study of symptoms in neurological cases.
Dr. Lucas says that Lewis Ford possessed the requisite understanding, the confluence of intellectual talents, and most of all the patience to attempt the painstaking deconstruction and reconstruction of the pattern of authorship of Whitehead’s major work.
Although the author disagrees at some points with Ford, at the same time he pays him high tribute: Ford is one of the most penetrating theologians of our time, Christian or not.
Dr. Cobb honors Dr. Ford for his independent metaphysical reflections and that he made clear his interest was not merely the scholarly study of particular texts but the solution of basic philosophical problems.
Dr. Nobo believes Dr. Ford’s genetic approach must be given up for a more systematic approach.
This essay refers to a number of articles written about Lewis S. Ford, which can be found in the Process Studies category. They include: Jorge L. Nobo: Celebrating Lewis S. Ford’s Thought in Process; Robert C. Neville, Lewis S. Ford’s Theology: A Critical Appreciation; John B. Cobb, Jr., Re-Reading Science and the Modern World; Denis Hurtubise, The Enigmatic "Passage of the consequent Nature to the Temporal World" in Process and Reality: An Alternative Proposal; Palmyre Oomen: The Prehensibility of God’s Consequent Nature.
Whitehead’s meaning about "a passage of consequent nature into the world" from Process and Reality is addressed. The author makes two proposals: 1. A reconstruction of the meaning of "passage." 2. A critique of various interpretations preparing the way for an alternative.
The author examines the problem "if and how God’s consequent nature can be prehensible and therefore efficacious…" if God’s consequent nature is "incomplete." He discusses various interpretations of this concept as found in Process and Reality.
- Number 3-4, Fall-Winter 1998
- Causality, Chaos, and Consciousness: Steps Toward a Normative Cosmological Principle in an Evolving by A. Karim Ahmed
- Evolving Sensibilities of our Conception of Nature by Jay Schulkin
- Explanation and Natural Philosophy: Or, The Rationalization of Mysticism by Murray Code
- God, Process, and Persons: Charles Hartshorne and Personalism by Randall E. Auxier
- Naturalism, Theism, and the Origin of Life by Joseph E. Earley
- Processing Towards Life by L. Charles Birch
- R.G.Collingwood and A.N. Whitehead on Metaphysics, History, and Cosmology by Guido Vanheesvijck
- The Concept of Mass in Process Theory by Granville C. Henry and Robert J. Valenza
- The Pacifism Debate in the Hartshorne -- Brightman Correspondence by Mark Youmans Davies
Living in an evolving physical and biological universe, Dr. Ahmed claims that human beings have an enormous and abiding burden of responsibility for maintaining the viability of the natural world .
The author suggests that a proper philosophy of nature is tied to environmental economics, a conception of labor that is thoughtful and with value, a vision of persons as inherently part of the natural world and as responsible decision-makers not alienated from nature.
Dr. Code holds that there is an unavoidable mystical dimension in every interpretation of nature. His conclusion is that the natural philosopher must strive to become as much mythologist as (to use Whitehead’s phrase) "critic of abstractions."
The author analyzes Hartshorne’s personalism and compares it to Brightman’s and others. Hartshorne gives considerable attention to the concept of God as personal, and he might well be regarded as a personalist although he doesn’t fit the idealistic mode typical of American personalism.
Dr. Earley comments on various theories of evolution and creationism, with some Whiteheadian insights.
Subjective aspects of life such as consciousness, purpose and free will are either ignored or else attempts are made to reduce the subjective to the objective. The author suggests the laws of self organization help explain the sources of order in cosmic evolution including the origin of life.
Dr. Vanheeswijck compares the metaphysics of R.G. Collingwood and Whitehead and shows the evolution of Collingwood’s thought. In essence, Collingwood’s metaphysics is historical, while Whitehead’s is cosmological.
The authors examine the connection between mass and substance, from both the traditional and process perspectives.
Dr. Davies stresses the main points of Brightman’s and Hartshorne’s disagreements about pacifism. He discusses the weaknesses and strengths of both their arguments and pays tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., who instituted the strengths and ignored the weaknesses of the principle.