Adventures of ideas

Book

Adventures of ideas / by Alfred North Whitehead.

Whitehead, Alfred North, 1861-1947 (Author). Rogers D. Spotswood Collection. (Added Author).

Summary:

The title of this book, Adventures of Ideas, bears two meanings, both applicable to the subject-matter. One meaning is the effect of certain ideas in promoting the slow drift of mankind towards civilization. This is the Adventure of Ideas in the history of mankind. The other meaning is the author's adventure in framing a speculative scheme of ideas which shall be explanatory of the historical adventure. The book is in fact a study of the concept of civilization, and an endeavour to understand how it is that civilized beings arise. One point, emphasized throughout, is the importance of Adventure for the promotion and preservation of civilization.--from Preface (p. vii).

Record details

Physical Description: x, 307 pages ; 21 cm.
Edition: 1st Free Press pbk. ed.
Publisher: New York : Free Press, 1967, ©1933.

Content descriptions

General Note:: Originally published in 1933.
Bibliography, etc. Note:: Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
Formatted Contents Note:: pt. 1. Sociological. Introduction -- The human soul -- The humanitarian ideal -- Aspects of freedom -- From force to persuasion -- Foresight -- pt. 2. Cosmological. Laws of nature -- Cosmologies -- Science and philosophy -- The new reformation -- pt. 3. Philosophical. Objects and subjects -- Past, present, future -- The grouping of occasions -- Appearance and reality -- Philosophic method -- pt. 4. Civilization. Truth -- Beauty -- Truth and beauty -- Adventure -- Peace.