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World Hypotheses: A Study in Evidence
"World hypotheses" correspond to metaphysical systems, and they may be systematically judged by the canons of evidence and corroboration.
In setting forth his root-metaphor theory and examining six such hypotheses—animism, mysticism, formism, mechanism, contextualism, and organicism—Pepper surveys the whole field of metaphysics. Because this book is an analytical study, it stresses issues rather than men. It seeks to exhibit the sources of these issues and to show that some are unnecessary; that the rest gather into clusters and are interconnected in systems corresponding closely to the traditional schools of philosophy. The virtue of the root-metaphor method is that it puts metaphysics on a purely factual basis and pushes philosophical issues back to the interpretation of evidence.
This book was written primarily as a contribution to the field, but its plan excellently suits it for use as a text in courses in metaphysics, types of philosophical theory, or present tendencies in philosophy.
In setting forth his root-metaphor theory and examining six such hypotheses—animism, mysticism, formism, mechanism, contextualism, and organicism—Pepper surveys the whole field of metaphysics. Because this book is an analytical study, it stresses issues rather than men. It seeks to exhibit the sources of these issues and to show that some are unnecessary; that the rest gather into clusters and are interconnected in systems corresponding closely to the traditional schools of philosophy. The virtue of the root-metaphor method is that it puts metaphysics on a purely factual basis and pushes philosophical issues back to the interpretation of evidence.
This book was written primarily as a contribution to the field, but its plan excellently suits it for use as a text in courses in metaphysics, types of philosophical theory, or present tendencies in philosophy.
348 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1961
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 1, 2011
This book may be one of the more important books I didn't read when I was young. I'm older now and it is not too late to read it. I'm surprized that along my education, I didn't become familiar with Pepper before.
Right now, I'm reading it with enthusiasm. And have the notion that the implications of the conclusions that Pepper draws are more important than most people realize.
As soon as I finish reading it, I will read the review by S.C. Hayes in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (1988).
A book I did read when I was a young man was "The Wisdom of Insecurity" by Alan Watts. I have a feeling that these two books have much in common.
Right now, I'm reading it with enthusiasm. And have the notion that the implications of the conclusions that Pepper draws are more important than most people realize.
As soon as I finish reading it, I will read the review by S.C. Hayes in the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (1988).
A book I did read when I was a young man was "The Wisdom of Insecurity" by Alan Watts. I have a feeling that these two books have much in common.
February 2, 2008
An answer to every conceivable question in the universe. Really.
July 19, 2024
Something akin to Gödel for philosophy.
May 29, 2025
Una obra maestra <3
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews