Determinism, Death, and Meaning
1st Edition
Published on 25. September 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
190 pages
978-1-032-13418-5 (ISBN)
Description
This book offers new arguments for determinism. It draws novel and surprising consequences from determinism for our attitudes toward such things as death, regret, grief, and the meaning of life.
The book argues that rationalism is the right attitude to take toward reality. It then shows that rationalism implies determinism and that determinism has surprising and far-reaching consequences. The author contends that the existence of all of humanity almost certainly depends on the precise time and manner of your death and mine; that purely retrospective regret, relief, gratitude, and grief are irrational for all but those who hold extreme values; and that everyone's life has an unending impact on the future and thereby achieves the strongest kind of meaning that it makes sense to desire.
Written in a direct and accessible style, Determinism, Death, and Meaning will be of interest to researchers and advanced students working in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and value theory, as well as general readers with a serious interest in these topics.
The book argues that rationalism is the right attitude to take toward reality. It then shows that rationalism implies determinism and that determinism has surprising and far-reaching consequences. The author contends that the existence of all of humanity almost certainly depends on the precise time and manner of your death and mine; that purely retrospective regret, relief, gratitude, and grief are irrational for all but those who hold extreme values; and that everyone's life has an unending impact on the future and thereby achieves the strongest kind of meaning that it makes sense to desire.
Written in a direct and accessible style, Determinism, Death, and Meaning will be of interest to researchers and advanced students working in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and value theory, as well as general readers with a serious interest in these topics.
Reviews / Votes
"This is a beautiful book. It is clearly and elegantly written, it addresses questions that are both large and important, and it defends bold and well thought-out answers to them. For those who are persuaded by its argument, the book is potentially life-changing."Professor Wes Morriston, University of Colorado, USA
"This is a breathtakingly original book. Whether or not you accept Maitzen's rationalism and commitment to determinism, this is an extremely rich and insightful study of their implications. It has deeply influenced how I think about counterfactuals, regret, and death - the most exciting discussion of these topics that I have read in ages, clearly and engagingly written. Whether or not you are (and always were) determined to read it, you should."
Professor Alan Hajek, Australian National University
"Challenging and elegant . . . The claims that Maitzen argues for are bold, the arguments are precise, and the implications are massive."
The Review of Metaphysics
"As well as its philosophical sophistication and depth, this is one of the best-written books that I have ever read. It deserves a wide audience."
Australasian Journal of Philosophy
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate and Undergraduate Advanced
Illustrations
3 s/w Abbildungen, 3 s/w Zeichnungen
3 Line drawings, black and white; 3 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
312 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-13418-5 (9781032134185)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Stephen Maitzen
Determinism, Death, and Meaning
Book
11/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€207.40
Shipment within 10-20 days
Stephen Maitzen
Determinism, Death, and Meaning
E-Book
11/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Stephen Maitzen
Determinism, Death, and Meaning
E-Book
11/2021
1st Edition
Routledge
€55.49
Available for download
Person
Stephen Maitzen is the W. G. Clark Professor of Philosophy at Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Canada. His work appears in several edited collections and in major scholarly journals, including The Journal of Philosophy, Erkenntnis, Synthese, and Philosophy and Phenomenological Research. He has received Acadia's highest recognition for excellence in teaching.
Content
1. Rationalism
2. Determinism Advocated
3. Determinism Defended
4. Determinism and Infinite Regress
5. The Counterfactual Past, Death, and Regret
6. Cosmic Meaning
2. Determinism Advocated
3. Determinism Defended
4. Determinism and Infinite Regress
5. The Counterfactual Past, Death, and Regret
6. Cosmic Meaning