Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
78th out of 100 books
—
2 voters
Science and the Modern World
The fullest general statement of Max Weber's sociological theory to appear in any of his writings, "The Theory of Social and Economic Organization" is an introduction to Weber's ambitious comparitive study of the sociological and institutional foundations of the modern economic and social order. In this work originally published in German in 1920, Weber discusses the analy...more
Paperback, 224 pages
Published
August 1st 1997
by Free Press
(first published 1931)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
More lists with this book...
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
308)
The last chapter is exceptional. It was worth plowing through the first 12 chapters, just to glimpse Whiteheads vision in chapter 13. Aims of education, associations, the dangers of the Gospels of Force and Uniformity, potential fallacies of Adam Smith and the Professional man, physical wandering, spiritual adventures, passionate feeling, aesthetic experience are all addressed. "Wisdom is the fruit of a balanced life".
I'm not completely satisfied with his ideas of adaption. I'm a fan of conside...more
I'm not completely satisfied with his ideas of adaption. I'm a fan of conside...more
After having glossed over this book years ago, I returned to see if I could understand what I missed. I was disappointed in my youthful expectations.
Alfred North Whitehead argues against the atomic materialism that gave rise to Newtonian physics, in favor of a philosophy of organism which he thinks is more compatible with evolution and quantum physics. But he does it in very general terms which, although they make sense, are not hard enough or specific enough to be of use scientifically, it see...more
Alfred North Whitehead argues against the atomic materialism that gave rise to Newtonian physics, in favor of a philosophy of organism which he thinks is more compatible with evolution and quantum physics. But he does it in very general terms which, although they make sense, are not hard enough or specific enough to be of use scientifically, it see...more
This book is compiled from a series of lectures that Dr. Whitehead gave. Whether or not one agrees with his conclusions they are necessary reading for understanding the history of scientific developement and the relationships between science and philosophy, and between science and religion. Whitehead proclaims the death of strict materialistic philosophy of nature as a foundation for science and gives what he calls an organic theory as a possible replacement. His development of his new theory is...more
This is one of the most important writings of the twentieth century. I first read it for a college course in the 1960’s (and for that I thank my teacher, Dr. Peter Caws), and I have returned to it many times since. Yes, it is difficult to comprehend this profound book in one reading, but it is well worth the effort.
The book conceptualizes the way of thinking that led to and supported the development of modern science. It proceeds to show not only the value but also the limitations of that way o...more
The book conceptualizes the way of thinking that led to and supported the development of modern science. It proceeds to show not only the value but also the limitations of that way o...more
Whitehead begins this book by describing the problems with rationalism and materialism. The first two chapters seem clear enough. Rationalism, with its origns in Greek thought and mathematics and its merger with religion (Christianity), increasingly removed itself from science. The materialist perspective in its turn dug itself into a hole by viewing reality only in terms of atomism, abstraction and determinism. Whitehead's task in this book is to propose an alternative theory that takes the bes...more
This the book I was reading when I made the decision to study history of science. I shared that fact with Owen Gingerich, the distinguished historian of astronomy, when he interviewed me at the time of the switch in majors, and he mentioned that it had been a formative influence on him as well.
Interesting book. I liked the chapters "Religion and Science" and "Requisites for Social Progress". Whitehead provides an incisive critique of philosophical and scientific materialism. I wasn't a fan of the middle chapters of the book, where I believe his message lost some of its clarity.
Just as relevant and interesting today as it was when first published in 1925. A must for all students of historiography, theology, or philosphy! Accessible, clear and articulate! Loved it! Again!
My undergraduate degree in philosophy focused on Whitehead. This was prior to my own conversion. While I now am quite critical of Whitehead, I acknowledge him as an import modern thinker.
Is my memory mistaken or is this not the source for the fallacy of mistaken concreteness?
I think the argument of the text if fascinating--he investigates the presuppositions that underlie science. (For instance, in order to have science, one must first suppose there is order in the universe.) I just need to find some uninterrupted time to focus on it.
recommended by hamilcar / kwinter
May 21, 2013
Nickolas Jones
is currently reading it
May 17, 2013
Andy Welch
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Vern
marked it as to-read
May 08, 2013
April
marked it as to-read
May 03, 2013
David
marked it as to-read
May 02, 2013
Shaun Cooper
added it
May 01, 2013
Menna
marked it as to-read
Apr 30, 2013
Giovanni Gigliozzi Bianco
marked it as to-read
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Nature is probably quite indifferent to the aesthetic preferences of mathematicians.”
—
2 people liked it
“It is the business of the future to be dangerous; and it is among the merits of science that it equips the future for its duties.”
—
1 person liked it
More quotes…
May 06, 2009 08:26pm