Interpreting the Universe

by John Macmurray

John Macmurray argued that philosophers should learn to think from the standpoint of action, which involves participation in real life, and not from the perspective of the pure thinking self for whom the world is an object. at the heart of all his work was his attempt to reverse modern philosophy's commitment to an "egocentric" starting point, with the self understood primarily as thinker withdrawn from action and participation in the world.

Genres: Philosophy

112 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

John Macmurray MC was a Scottish philosopher. His thought moved beyond the modern tradition begun by Descartes and continued in Britain by Locke, Berkeley and Hume. He made contributions in the fields of political science, religion, education, and philosophy in a long career of writing, teaching, and public speaking. After retirement he became a Quaker.