The authors seek to remedy a double defect: the neglect by philosophers of relevant anthropological material for ethical reasoning, and the neglect by anthropologists of the ethical dimensions of culture. Aware of man's frequent tendency to moralize rather than to be moral, the authors are cautious about endorsing either cultural relativism or the view that varying moral codes each express in local concepts the same underlying morality. This is a tentative study, raising problems and specifying inquiries rather than offering conclusions. (...) Includes an extensive bibliography of the current literature.--L. S. F. (shrink)

Selections by Runes from his own writings, arranged alphabetically from "abhorrence" to "zero." It is hard to understand why this should cost as much as $5.00.--L. S. F.

The editor has been quite successful in selecting experts to write the three-to-four-page articles in this handbook, and in most cases he has chosen advocates rather than critics to expound particular concepts: e.g., Nygren on Eros and Agape, Tillich on Kairos, Dinkler on demythologizing. Each article lists one or two important books on its subject.--L. S. F.

Christian offers us a clear and detailed analysis of Whitehead's three primary types of entities: actual occasions, eternal objects, and God. He endeavours to show how Whitehead's account satisfies his own requirements of categoreal explanation and that these three types, together with creativity, require one another. The analysis is focused by a concern for the twin concepts of transcendence and immanence which, while shown to apply to all three types, are seen to be particularly relevant to Whitehead's revision of traditional (...) theology. Christian remains faithful to the text while strenuously probing its inner structure.--L. S. F. (shrink)

This book is "not an 'ethics'," Mackinnon warns us, "but an attempt to study different styles of argument concerning the foundations of morality, by methods sometimes analytic and sometimes historical. It is informed by a desire to bring out some of the ways in which the problem of the possibility of metaphysics impinges on moral reflection." Among other things, he considers Utilitarianism, Kant, The Notion of Moral Freedom, and Butler.--L. S. F.

A search for the creative, intuitive meaning of life, found in the major religions, Jungian psychology, and in the poetry of Millay and Whitman.--L. S. F.

Aleksandr Bogdanov is probably the most original philosopher to have arisen thus far among Marxists. Most scholars know of him only as the man who provoked Lenin into writing the book of polemical epistemology, Materialism and Empiriocriticism. Jensen’s work, the first full-length study to deal with Bogdanov’s thought in its own right, is a careful analytical account; it sets forth the novel theses, chapter by chapter, in Bogdanov’s later book Philosophy of Living Experience.

Although volume XII of the new critical edition of Hegel's works is important in its own right, the eleventh volume consists of speeches, reviews, and occasional one-page essays and hence will interest only the specialist.--L. S. F.

Abridged selections, with brief one page introductions, from sixteen authors influential in the development of Protestantism. In addition to such recognized theologicians as Luther, Calvin, Schleiermacher, and Ritschl, the editor has included a liberal sprinkling of American writers. Contemporary thought is represented by Barth.--L. S. F.

From within the modern tradition of Heidegger, Picht appraises Aristotle's conception of the experience of history.--L. S. F.

Heinemann argues that we must recognize the existence of a plurality of philosophical alternatives, retaining the ideal of one truth as nothing more than a regulative principle. His encyclopedia contains a 270-page history of philosophy, including contemporary developments. It also contains a systematic section with essays on most of the conventional philosophical disciplines. The results are more pedestrian than the vision.--L. S. F.

The findings from an extended series of psychological tests for extra-sensory perception, particularly with respect to psychological attitudes, are presented here. Those who believed in ESP consistently made higher scores than the non-believers. Appendices describe statistical procedures and major hypotheses employed. A careful, conservative study. --L. S. F.

This Festschrift for Professor Baron's sixtieth birthday displays an astonishing variety of interests on the part of his former students, from the sociological study of the American conservative Rabbinate to the correspondence of Tobias ben Moses and the New York cloakmakers' strike of 1910. Essays of philosophic interest are Bokser's "Morality and Religion in the Theology of Maimonides," Hahn's "Wellhausen's Interpretation of Israel's Religious History," Blau's "Tradition and Innovation," and Ben-Horin's "Toward the Dawn of History". The volume includes an extensive (...) bibliography of Baron's writings. --L. S. F. (shrink)

From one perspective, this book is a restatement and defense of the central claim from Wittgenstein’s Tractatus that language gives us a logical picture of states of affairs, developed in terms of a realistic theory of eternal possibilities. From another perspective, it is an ambitious and provocative attempt to reconcile metaphysics with language theory.

Waterman argues that traditional Christianity has too often ignored its heritage of prophetic moral tradition. His study concentrates on Second Isaiah and the continuity of this moral criticism in John the Baptist and in Jesus. His approach is expository and informative, but little attention is paid to the details of Old Testament scholarship.--L. S. F.

Gründer examines two basic concepts in Hamann's early thought as they appear in informal reading notes: God's condescension in creation and salvation, and the typological interpretation of Biblical history. Gründer also sketches the theological history of each concept, notes the historical context of its use by Hamann, and discusses its ontological implications in a very well documented account. A pioneer study. --L. S. F.

A brief popular biography of George Fox, quoting extensively from his Journal, followed by an account of the beliefs and work of the Quakers both here and in Europe. This paperback is profusely and interestingly illustrated, but one would like a larger format and better binding. --L. S. F.

Collins examines the main philosophical approaches, whether positive, negative, or skeptical, which have been taken towards God since Cusanus, showing the central and often decisive role which the theme of God's existence, nature, and relation to the world has played in this development. It is an ambitious undertaking, and Collins acquits himself well. His survey includes such diverse thinkers as Montaigne, Descartes, Hume and Rousseau, Pascal, Newman, Marx, Mill, and Whitehead. The concise introductory remarks to each chapter are particularly revealing, (...) and the bibliographical references are extensive and up-to-date.--L. S. F. (shrink)

Becker gives a brief survey of the philosophically relevant aspects to be found in the history of mathematics, starting with the Pythagorean conception of numbers and its fate at the hands of Plato and Aristotle. He considers the development of the exact sciences based on mathematics, paying particular attention to the problems in pure mathematics. In the final chapter the limitations of mathematical reasoning are examined. Nothing new is presented, but then that is not its purpose. The survey presupposes no (...) special competence in either mathematics or logic.--L. S. F. (shrink)

Fürstenau systematically analyzes Heidegger's understanding of being, stressing the continuity between Sein und Zeit and his later writings. He also presents a survey of the history of philosophy as interpreted by Heidegger, summing up this discussion with an account of Heidegger's conception of Ursprünglichkeit and Verfall in philosophy. A work of explication and interpretation rather than criticism.--L. S. F.

Miss Weil's perception is acute and refreshing, but also fanciful and undisciplined. Her premonitions of Christianity in the Iliad, Antigone, the Prometheus myth and Plato's Timaeus and Symposium are based on allegorical interpretations.--L. S. F.

Kasm does not offer any concept of proof which is regulative for all metaphysics, for he is convinced that each metaphysical approach requires its own proper logic and methodology. Within this pluralistic framework he seeks to discern the structure of formal truth as expressed in the concept of proof inherent in various metaphysical approaches.--L. S. F.

Hélal's study invites comparison with two other books on Whitehead's philosophy of science. There is nearly no overlap with Ann L. Plamondon's Whitehead's Organic Philosophy of Science, which stresses those themes developed in Whitehead's metaphysical period which have a bearing on topics under current discussion in the philosophy of science. Hélal restricts himself to the earlier period, hoping later to make a comparable study of the later periods. There is, however, considerable overlap with Robert M. Palter's Whitehead's Philosophy of Science, (...) though perhaps less than might be expected. Thus chapter 3 analyzing the nature of events and objects, and especially chapter 4 on the method of extensive abstraction can only repeat much that is already available in Palter. In addition Palter discusses the theory of relativity much more extensively, and goes into Whitehead's discussion of extensive connection in Process and Reality, part IV. On the other hand, the first two chapters of Hélal's study on Whitehead's idea of nature, and especially the final chapter on his refusal to allow any bifurcation in nature introduce many themes not to be found in Palter. If a rigorous, systematic, and elaborate presentation of Whitehead's philosophy of science is desired, Palter's work should be consulted. But if one is interested in the metaphysical undercurrents in Whitehead's earlier period, then perhaps Hélal's is preferable. Thus for example, Palter barely mentions the notions of "percipient events" and "percipient objects," while Hélal pays special attention to them as precursors of Whitehead's concern for subjectivity in his metaphysics. (shrink)

Eighteen articles concerning modern logic by Ackermann, Carnap, Curry, Gödel, Heyting, among others, reprinted from the double issue of the review Dialectica for 1958.--L. S. F.

Brandon approaches the history of religions from the perspective of their views on the nature of man and the afterlife. Egypt is discussed in terms of "immortality and the technique of its achievement," while Mesopotamia is considered in the light of the moral of the Gilgamesh Epic: "the life thou seekest, thou shalt not find." Brandon sees in Old Testament Yahwism an ethnic religion which sought to break down the popular cult of the dead and limit the expectations of its (...) devotees to this life. The gradual belief in the soul's immortality rendered the ancient Yahwism a more adequate faith for the individual, but it was in radical tension with the doctrine of Israel's election, tensions which Christianity was able to overcome. Greek culture, Christianity, Islam, Iran, India, Buddhism, and China are handled in an analogous manner in this important study.--L. S. F. (shrink)

Eleven essays devoted to contemporary perspectives on mysticism, mostly written in the tradition of religious liberalism. Several contributors stress the existentialist contribution to our understanding of mysticism, while N. A. Nikam examines "Some Aspects of Ontological and Ethical Mysticism in Indian Thought." Emerson is considered, along with two less conventional candidates, Whitehead and Wittgenstein, for their relevance to mystical thought. These studies are suggestive rather than definitive.--L. S. F.

Gilkey forcefully argues that the doctrine of creatio ex nihilo is required by the Christian view of reality. After determining the meaning and limits of this doctrine, he investigates its implications for the nature of God, the status of the world as created, the purpose of the Incarnation, the problem of evil, and the meaning of time. This is a popularization in the best sense, for the author sketches in enough background to enable him to inform the general reader without (...) falling into oversimplification.--L. S. F. (shrink)

Hennemann finds that the history of the natural sciences has usually been treated in a non-historical way, as a merely chronological sequence of discoveries and developments with little attention paid to the evolution of its historically conditioned presuppositions. Focusing chiefly on the 19th century, he uncovers many interconnections between the special sciences and the philosophy of nature. He is unsuccessful in his attempt to discern a basic structural relationship.--L. S. F.

Wolff examines all of Plato's dialogues as oblique fragments of a spiritual autobiography, akin to Augustine's Confessions. Plato's encounter with Socrates--not only with his personality and teaching, but also with his trial and death-had decisive importance in shaping Plato's inner development. The later Plato attempted to give a firm foundation to knowledge and morality, but failed, ending in a partially concealed scepticism.--L. S. F.

From the meagre fragments available, Sambursky has carefully reconstructed the basic physical concepts of the Stoa, emphasizing the continuum theory developed by Chrysippos and Poseidonios. Stoic physics, in contrast with Democritean atomism, has been largely neglected, in spite of its relevance to contemporary theories of continuity. Sambursky's contribution should overcome this omission to a great extent, and, together with Mates' and Lukasiewicz's work in Stoic logic, enable us to comprehend the non-ethical features of Stoic thought. Included is a 30 page (...) appendix giving English translations of the relevant classical fragments.--L. S. F. (shrink)

This group of essays concerns man, history, and culture--particularly the interdependence of the philosophical vocation and the supporting culture. Scheler's writing is engaging and lively, but unsystematic in presentation. The translation is good.--L. S. F.

This is the third and final volume of Dr. Wuest's expanded translation of the New Testament, a literal rendering of the Greek text with numerous bracketed insertions intended to clarify the meaning. Designed primarily as an auxiliary study aid for those who have not studied Greek, it lacks the gracefulness of the Revised Standard Version and the readability of J. B. Phillips' translation. Dr. Wuest is conservative and premillenialist in theological belief.--L. S. F.

The Wertethik of Scheler and Hartmann forms the basis of this posthumous essay in philosophical anthropology.--L. S. F.

In applying a sophisticated version of "ordinary language" analysis to comparative religion, Smart offers us a highly perceptive account of the inner logic and the principles of justification for religious doctrines. He distinguishes three fundamental doctrinal strands, the mystical, the numinous, and the incarnational, uncovering the demands that each imposes upon the others.--L. S. F.

Statement of the problem rather than arguments for any conclusion dominates this brief essay on the nature and implications of the Christian commandment to love one's neighbor--L. S. F.

These ten essays are concerned with the broader aspects of analytic philosophy. White would like to see the tools of logical analysis, developed over the past 50 years, applied to fields other than logic and scientific methodology, in particular, to the philosophy of law, politics, education, religion, and history. In the title essay he argues that religion should be taught as part of our cultural heritage, and not for the purpose of encouraging student commitment.--L. S. F.

Feibleman finds two diverse strands in Plato's philosophy: an idealism centered upon the Forms denying full ontological status to the realm of becoming, and a moderate realism granting actuality equal reality with Forms. For each strand Plato developed a conception of religion: a supernatural one derived from Orphism, and a naturalistic religion revering the traditional Olympian deities. Unfortunately, Feibleman's method of mere confrontation of conflicting statements in Plato detracts from his persuasiveness.--L. S. F.

Arguing that religion and science can not be in essential conflict, Harris sets himself the task of resolving their apparent disagreements by considering such problems as the language of theology, the relation of nature and God, and the nature of evil.--L. S. F.

Nineteen thoughtful essays devoted to the theoretical aspects of sociological investigation: the use of ideal types, the causal concept and the concept of social change, functional analysis, the formalization of theory, and the place of values in sociology. C. Wright Mill's "On Intellectual Craftsmanship" is an engaging and informal account of how one social scientist goes about his business, with a liberal sprinkling of criticisms against the tendency to divorce methodological inquiry from the scientific investigation itself. --L. S. F.

This yearbook contains eleven articles in French and German, but unfortunately they are not grouped around a single theme, as some former yearbooks have been, e.g., the Schelling yearbook of 1954. Axelos and Bloch contribute good studies on time.--L. S. F.

Haines' work first appeared in 1914; this volume is a reprint of the enlarged second edition, which was judged at that time to be "clearly the most comprehensive survey of the origin and early growth of judicial review." In the second part, covering the period since the Civil War, Haines attempts an adequate rather than a complete quantitative study, including not only the relevant court decisions but also a survey of informed critical opinion concerning the powers of the Court to (...) rule on the constitutionality of legislation. In the final chapter he argues against the traditional doctrine that the courts do not control the legislature, but simply interpret the law. The study includes three lengthy, but not up-to-date, appendices. --L. S. F. (shrink)

A thorough theological and exegetical study of the New Testament view of baptism. Patristic, medieval, and Reformation views fall beyond the scope of this work, yet in chapter 16 the author considers and criticizes contemporary defenses of infant baptism. Chapter 15 is a useful summary of White's position. White's treatment is judicious and not overly polemical; his scholarship is extensive and up-to-date, but restricted to works appearing in English.--L. S. F.

The edicts expounding Dharma--the laws of piety and morality--which the Indian emperor Asoka caused to be inscribed on rocks and pillars set up throughout the kingdom. The editors have rearranged these edicts in an order designed to render them more accessible to the general reader in a clear, readable translation.--L. S. F.

An eclectic defense of progress and re-creation, with more quotations and citations than reasoned argument.--L. S. F.

This informative and well-written account of gnosticism provides the English reader with his first access to much of this material, which was formerly restricted to specialized publications in French and German. Jonas describes the basic tenets and symbols of gnosticism, and then presents six specific systems for consideration, including Marcian, Valentinius, and Mani. The third section is perhaps the most interesting: in it Jonas demonstrates that gnosticism is more objectionable to the classic Greek than to the Christian.--L. S. F.

Epistemology is here approached from a systematic rather than an historical point of view. Boas recognizes that our experience is mediated by selective concerns and principles of interpretation, and emphasizes the role of consistency in organizing our knowledge. The writing is unpretentious and often witty. His is the cautious wisdom of a man who has struggled with questions a long time, rather than a brilliantly conceived and tightly reasoned argument of one who would offer us a strikingly novel solution.--L. S. (...) F. (shrink)

Van Zandt finds that the theoretical structures upon which the study of American history have been based are no longer adequate to explain America's role in our complex and organically unified Western society. This theoretical structure has been rarely consciously held or critically examined because it asserts itself as a fact rather than as a theory and maintains that the facts may be ascertained irrespective of any theoretical construction. This anti-theoretical attitude was inherent in the idea of the American Revolution, (...) which sought to restore the "natural" order of society--a multiplicity of independent societies--freed from the political and theoretical encrustations of the centuries. A large part of the book is devoted to Jefferson's role in crystalizing this "anti-theoretical" theoretical structure which remains dominant even today. A fresh venture written in a style not quite fully articulate or sufficiently concise.--L. S. F. (shrink)

In this essay on the archaic conception of historical being, Eliade has marshalled a wealth of archaeological and anthropological material. Eliade considers not only the more sophisticated versions of eternal return in great years and in cosmic cycles, but also its foundation in the annual cultic rites designed to overcome time. He catches the flavor of archaic ontology very nicely--the ontology which found its philosophical expression in Plato.--L. S. F.

That religion is essentially a human achievement is the central thesis of these short popular essays. The author is an enthusiastic admirer of the late Professor Garman of Amherst.---L. S. F.

Few of these essays by the late Professor of English at Calvin College are either detailed or scholarly, but all reflect the wisdom of a liberally educated gentleman, steeped in the Reformed tradition. --L. S. F.