George P. Adams

In this collection of essays first published in 1941, the authors grapple with fundamental questions about the nature and evaluation of human social patterns. Their republication invites reflection on whether the intervening decades of historical turbulence and philosophical progress have addressed these enduring issues or if the analyses remain relevant. Professor Lenzen’s exploration of the scientific revolution highlights the interplay of philosophical decisions and practical conditions, such as the rejection of Aristotelian physics in favor of mathematical methods. While he underestimated the impact of military pressures on scientific progress, his central theses about the conceptual underpinnings of breakthroughs remain intact. Similarly, Professor Melden’s critique of "sociologism" and his insights into the conditions for objective judgment in the social sciences retain their pertinence in addressing the persistent challenges of relativism and explanatory frameworks. The essays also delve into the relationship between freedom and organization, a tension explored by Professors Pepper and Mackay, whose analyses of research and communication structures are even more relevant today. At a deeper level, the works of Professors Adams, Strong, and the concluding essay tackle the philosophical core of civilization: the nature and validity of value norms. Adams’ Platonic interpretations and Strong’s naturalistic inquiries provide complementary perspectives on the grounding of values in human needs and aspirations. The concluding essay seeks to reconcile descriptive and normative perspectives on civilization while bridging natural and spiritual values. Collectively, these studies aim to stimulate rigorous reflection on civilization's intellectual and moral underpinnings, a task as vital now as when these ideas were first articulated. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1959.

In this collection of essays first published in 1941, the authors grapple with fundamental questions about the nature and evaluation of human social patterns. Their republication invites reflection on whether the intervening decades of historical turbulence and philosophical progress have addressed these enduring issues or if the analyses remain relevant. Professor Lenzen’s exploration of the scientific revolution highlights the interplay of philosophical decisions and practical conditions, such as the rejection of Aristotelian physics in favor of mathematical methods. While he underestimated the impact of military pressures on scientific progress, his central theses about the conceptual underpinnings of breakthroughs remain intact. Similarly, Professor Melden’s critique of "sociologism" and his insights into the conditions for objective judgment in the social sciences retain their pertinence in addressing the persistent challenges of relativism and explanatory frameworks. The essays also delve into the relationship between freedom and organization, a tension explored by Professors Pepper and Mackay, whose analyses of research and communication structures are even more relevant today. At a deeper level, the works of Professors Adams, Strong, and the concluding essay tackle the philosophical core of civilization: the nature and validity of value norms. Adams’ Platonic interpretations and Strong’s naturalistic inquiries provide complementary perspectives on the grounding of values in human needs and aspirations. The concluding essay seeks to reconcile descriptive and normative perspectives on civilization while bridging natural and spiritual values. Collectively, these studies aim to stimulate rigorous reflection on civilization's intellectual and moral underpinnings, a task as vital now as when these ideas were first articulated. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1959.

""Is Metaphysics Descriptive or Normative?"" is a philosophical book written by Jacob Loewenberg and published by the University of California. The book explores the nature of metaphysics, which is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of reality and existence. Loewenberg examines the two main approaches to metaphysics: descriptive and normative. Descriptive metaphysics seeks to describe the nature of reality as it is, while normative metaphysics seeks to prescribe what reality ought to be. Loewenberg argues that both approaches are important and necessary for a complete understanding of metaphysics. He also discusses the relationship between metaphysics and other branches of philosophy, such as epistemology and ethics. The book is part of the University of California Publications in Philosophy series, which publishes works by leading philosophers and scholars. It is aimed at students and scholars of philosophy, as well as anyone interested in the nature of reality and existence. The book is written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for readers with a range of backgrounds and levels of knowledge in philosophy.Additional Editor Is Stephen C. Pepper. Lectures Delivered Before The Philosophical Union University Of California, 1924-1925.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.