A Philosopher Looks at Human Beings
Published on 5. May 2021
224 pages
978-1-108-90673-9 (ISBN)
Description
Why do we think ourselves superior to all other animals? Are we right to think so? In this book, Michael Ruse explores these questions in religion, science and philosophy. Some people think that the world is an organism - and that humans, as its highest part, have a natural value (this view appeals particularly to people of religion). Others think that the world is a machine - and that we therefore have responsibility for making our own value judgements (including judgements about ourselves). Ruse provides a compelling analysis of these two rival views and the age-old conflict between them. In a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion, he draws on Darwinism and existentialism to argue that only the view that the world is a machine does justice to our humanity. This new series offers short and personal perspectives by expert thinkers on topics that we all encounter in our everyday lives.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
File size
4,76 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-108-90673-9 (9781108906739)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Michael Ruse
A Philosopher Looks at Human Beings
Book
05/2021
Cambridge University Press
€20.90
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Content
Introduction; 1. The status of humans; 2. Mechanism versus organicism; 3. Darwinian evolution; 4. Mechanism and human nature; 5. Organicism and human nature; 6. The problem of progress; 7. Morality for the organicist; 8. Morality for the mechanist; Epilogue.
