Physics of the World-Soul: The Relevance of Alfred North Whitehead's Philosophy of Organism to Contemporary Scientific Cosmology

by Matthew David Segall

Whitehead was among the first initiates into the new cosmological story, but grasping the novelty of his vision also requires remembering the insights of the ancients, even if in a modern context. This book therefore situates Whitehead's animate cosmology in the context of the larger historical arc of Western natural philosophy dating back to Plato. It also bring's Whitehead's philosophy of organism into conversation with several components of contemporary scientific cosmologyincluding relativistic, quantum, evolutionary, and complexity theoriesin order to both exemplify the inadequacy of traditional materialisticmechanistic metaphysics, and to display the relevance of Whitehead's cosmological scheme to the transdisciplinary project of integrating these theories and their data with the presuppositions of civilized society.

Genres: Philosophy

118 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2013

Reviews

[Inma]

Thank you Matthew for this gift to those who, like me, have always wanted to read Whitehead and find themselves in a profound paralysis. I found also really helpful that you bring current developments in science, the specialised science, into consideration, moving his ideas, thoughts, and actualities forward, which I feel he would have appreciated very much. There are also an openness in your 'interpretation' [I don't think that is the correct word] ... Yes in your relationship with his writings you are open also to me, the reader of your experience, and that I appreciate enormously, because I just have an open door right there to also play with him. Thank you.

[jonathan foster]

must read for Whiteheadians

This book is a much-needed and great resource in helping highlight the insight and beauty of A.N. Whitehead’s philosophy (and theology).