From Physics to Metaphysics

Bol Partner

This book presents an outline of classical metaphysics, built on an examination of the five basic concepts of form, substance, existence, cause, and nature, together with an answer to the question: What are nominalism, idealism, and realism? It draws on the whole tradition of philosophy, from the ancients to contemporary writers, giving considerable attention to the criticisms of Hume and Kant, also with reference to modern natural science, and showing how questions of physics lead to metaphysics. It provides a simple explanation of Kant's basic philosophy, which may be useful to students; concludes with a brief chapter on the relevance of metaphysics for ethics; and supplies an appendix on time. It is designed to be as informative as possible about what the great philosophers said on major themes of philosophy.In every way, this book presents a realist metaphysics, and so meets the call of the present pope in his recent encyclical, Fides et Ratio ("Faith and Reason"), for a return to metaphysics as a foundation for teaching theology. It is especially aimed at students who need to know philosophy for theology, but is also for anyone looking for a philosophy that is helpful for the understanding of the Catholic faith. It restores the view that philosophy is primarily meant to be wisdom, and that the highest end of human life is to come to know the First Truth.

Bol

Drawn from the 1993 Cambridge Tarner lectures, 'From Physics to Metaphysics' is concerned with the ultimate nature of reality, and how this is revealed by modern physical theories. It also examines the prospects for a 'Theory of Everything', and how we can assess scientific progress. The book is drawn from the Tarner lectures, delivered in Cambridge in 1993. It is concerned with the ultimate nature of reality, and how this is revealed by modern physical theories such as relativity and quantum theory. The objectivity and rationality of science are defended against the views of relativists and social constructionists. It is claimed that modern physics gives us a tentative and fallible, but nevertheless rational, approach to the nature of physical reality. The role of subjectivity in science is examined in the fields of relativity theory, statistical mechanics and quantum theory, and recent claims of an essential role for human consciousness in physics are rejected. Prospects for a 'Theory of Everything' are considered, and the related question of how to assess scientific progress is carefully examined.