Overview

This book critically examines how mathematical modelling shapes and limits a scientific approach to the natural world and affects how society views nature. It questions concepts such as determinism, reversibility, equilibrium, and the isolated system, and challenges the view of physical reality as passive and inert. Dan Bruiger argues that if nature is real, it must transcend human representations. In particular, it can be expected to self-organize in ways that elude a mechanist treatment. This interdisciplinary study addresses several key areas: the ""crisis"" in modern physics and cosmology; the limits and historical, psychological, and religious roots of mechanistic thought; and the mutual effects of the scientific worldview upon society's relationship to nature. Bruiger demonstrates that there is still little place outside biology for systems that actively self-organize or self-define. Instead of appealing to ""multiverses"" to resolve the mysteries of fine-tuning, he suggests that cosmologists look toward self-organizing processes. He also states that physics is hampered by its external focus and should become more self-reflective. If scientific understanding can go beyond a stance of prediction and control, it could lead to a relationship with nature more amenable to survival. The Found and the Made fills a void between popular science writing and philosophy. It will appeal to naturalists, environmentalists, science buffs, professionals, and students of cultural history, evolutionary psychology, gender studies, and philosophy of mind.

Full Product Details

Author:   Dan Bruiger
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Inc
Imprint:   Routledge
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.30cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.521kg
ISBN:  

9781412862509

ISBN 10:   1412862507
Pages:   332
Publication Date:   30 December 2015
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Preamble: The Barcode of Nature Part One: The World as Found 1 What Is Found? 2 What Is Nature? 3 What Is Science? 4 Law, Chance, and Necessity 5 Mathematical and Physical Reality Part Two: The World Remade 6 Consciousness and Its Consequences 7 What It Is Like to Be an Intentional System 8 The Rebellion against Nature 9 The Ideal of Perfect Knowledge 10 The Scientific World Part Three: Maker's Knowledge 11 The Book of Nature 12 The Religious Origins of Science 13 Deductionism, or the Proof Shall Make You Free 14 Ideality 15 Is Nature Real? Part Four: Beyond the Mechanist Faith 16 Is Reality Exhaustible in Thought? 17 Mechanism and Organism 18 Theories of Something 19 The Next Revolution in Physics? 20 The Stance of Unknowing Index

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Author Information

Dan Bruiger is an independent scholar, amateur astronomer, and author of Second Nature. He is active in the movement for local autonomy and sustainable living.

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