This book charts the evolution of metaphysics since Descartes and provides a compelling case for why metaphysics matters.

Examines the relations between logic and philosophy over the last 150 years. Logic underwent a major renaissance beginning in the nineteenth century. Cantor almost tamed the infinite, and Frege aimed to undercut Kant by reducing mathematics to logic. These achievements were threatened by the paradoxes, like Russell's. This ferment generated excellent philosophy (and mathematics) by excellent philosophers (and mathematicians) up to World War II. This book provides a selective, critical history of the collaboration between logic and philosophy during this period. After World War II, mathematical logic became a recognized subdiscipline in mathematics departments, and consequently but unfortunately philosophers have lost touch with its monuments. This book aims to make four of them (consistency and independence of the continuum hypothesis, Post's problem, and Morley's theorem) more accessible to philosophers, making available the tools necessary for modern scholars of philosophy to renew a productive dialogue between logic and philosophy.

The great evolutionist Mayr elucidates the subtleties of Darwin’s thought and that of his contemporaries and intellectual heirs—A. R. Wallace, T. H. Huxley, August Weisman, Asa Gray. Mayr has achieved a remarkable distillation of Darwin’s scientific thought and his legacy to twentieth-century biology.

The Rise of Homo Sapiens: The Evolution of Human Thinking presents a provocative theory about the evolution of the modern mind based on archaeological evidence and the working memory model of experimental psychologist Alan Baddeley. The book explains the mystery of the disappearance of the Neandertals and the ascendancy of modern Homo sapiens - and whether this was at the expense of the Neandertals. The Rise of Homo Sapiens has been written to introduce scientists and students to the fascinating interface between the worlds of archaeology and cognitive science, and argues that the evolution of modern thinking occurred in two major leaps; the advent of Homo erectus over 1.5 million years ago, and a final enhancement of working memory capacity sometime within the last 200,000 years. The authors argue that highly ritualized burials, personal ornaments, cave art and highly creative figurines, and age and gender divisions of economic labor, all of which were characteristic of Homo sapiens about 30,000 years ago, were clearly products of their cognitive functions, e.g., central executive functions. Neandertals, living at the same time, had virtually none of these cultural products despite larger brains! This is the first book to explain elaborately how thinking differences between Homo sapiens and Neandertals may have accounted for the ultimate demise of Neandertals. Cognitive archaeology is a quickly growing discipline yet archaeologists have been slow to adopt current theories, models, and findings within contemporary cognitive science. The Rise of Homo Sapiens will serve as a unique introduction and primer into both disciplines.

Pursues the development of physics from Galileo and Newton to Einstein and the founders of quantum mechanics.

As an epoch-marking contribution to Natural History in the widest sense, we rank the picture which Darwin gave to the world of the web of life, that is to say, of the inter-relations and linkages in Nature. For the Biology of the individual--if that be not a contradiction in terms--no idea is more fundamental than that of the correlation of organs, but Darwin's most characteristic contribution was not less fundamental, --it was the idea of the correlation of organisms

In strategic studies and international relations, grand strategy is a frequently-invoked concept. Yet, despite its popularity, it is not well understood and it has many definitions, some of which are even mutually contradictory. This state of affairs undermines its usefulness for scholars and practitioners alike. Lukas Milevski aims to remedy this situation by offering a conceptual history of grand strategy in the English language, analysing its evolution from 1805 to the present day in the writings of its major proponents. In doing so, he seeks to clarify the meaning and role of the concept, both theoretically and practically, and shed light on its continuing utility today.

"Evolution in Modern Thought" is a book that explores the development and impact of the theory of evolution on modern scientific thinking. The book is a collection of essays written by leading scientists and thinkers of the time, including J. Arthur Thomson and August Weismann, with a preface by Ernst Haeckel. The book begins with an overview of the history of evolutionary thought, from the early ideas of Lamarck and Darwin to the more recent developments in the field. The authors delve into the various debates and controversies surrounding evolution, such as the role of natural selection in the process and the relationship between genetics and evolution. They also discuss the ethical and social implications of the theory, including the impact on religion and morality. Throughout the book, the authors emphasize the importance of evolution in shaping our understanding of the natural world and our place in it.

Evolution in Modern Thought by William Bateson: Delve into the captivating field of evolutionary biology and its impact on modern scientific thought with this insightful book by William Bateson. Drawing on the latest research and theories, Bateson explores the intricacies of evolutionary processes, genetic variation, and the implications for our understanding of life's origins and development. Key Aspects of The Book “Evolution in Modern Thought” Explores the history and development of evolutionary thought. Discusses key concepts such as natural selection, genetic variation, and adaptation. Examines the implications of evolutionary biology for various scientific disciplines and our understanding of life on Earth. William Bateson, born on August 8, 1861, in Whitby, Yorkshire, England, was a pioneering biologist and geneticist who significantly impacted the fields of genetics and evolutionary biology. Educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, Bateson exhibited a keen interest in natural history and conducted research on various species. His seminal work, Evolution in Modern Thought, published in 1909, showcased his deep understanding of evolutionary theories and the historical progression of thought on the subject. Bateson critically analyzed the ideas of leading scientists and thinkers, and his own research on inheritance and variation laid the foundation for modern genetics. He emphasized the role of genes in heredity and coined the term genetics to describe this emerging field. Bateson's dedication to the study of genetics and evolutionary processes earned him recognition among the scientific community. He conducted experiments on genetics and inheritance in plants and animals, furthering our understanding of the mechanisms underlying evolution. Throughout his career, Bateson advocated for the importance of understanding the principles of genetics to shed light on the processes of evolution and the diversity of life. His contributions continue to shape modern biology and inspire future generations of researchers to explore the intricacies of genetics and evolutionary biology.

Locke's linguistic turn -- The road to Locke -- Of angels and human beings -- The form of a language -- The import of propositions -- The value of a function -- From silence to assent -- The whimsy of language.