The Tree of Knowledge and Other Essays


Book Description

In an autobiographical introduction the author tells about the two forces which have shaped his intellectual life: philosophy as an academic profession and philosophy as a search for a view of life. The book, accordingly, divides in two parts. The essays in the first part survey developments in logic and analytical philosophy in the perspective of the closing century and in the light of the author's long experience and participation in them. There are also essays on Musil's criticism of Mach, on the Finnish philosopher Eino Kaila's search for a monistic world view, and on Wittgenstein's place on the cultural map of the century. The papers in the second part deal with traits of contemporary civilization which have become problematic thanks to the impact of technological developments on political and social forms of life. Humanism, modernity, and scientific rationality are key-ideas taken up for critical scrutiny.




The Creation of Wittgenstein


Book Description

Making extensive use of unique archival resources this collection presents, for the first time, an in-depth study of the work and influence of Wittgenstein's original literary heirs, Rush Rhees, Elizabeth Anscombe and Georg Henrik von Wright as editors of Wittgenstein's posthumous writings. Presenting philosophical portraits of Rhees, Anscombe and von Wright, a team of international contributors provide a history of their collaboration and discuss how the individual philosophical views of the literary heirs shaped what we now know as the works of Wittgenstein. They consider the link between philosophically relevant aspects of their biography, their friendship with Wittgenstein and the development of their philosophical personalities, offering us a new appreciation of the dynamics of their editorial collaboration and how each of the heirs worked individually as an editor to create Wittgenstein's philosophy. Each chapter reveals what the editors did to enrich and shape our understanding of Wittgenstein's philosophical contribution on topics such as rule-following, logical necessity, aesthetics and the methods and aims of philosophy. This thorough critical analysis of the editorial history of Wittgenstein's works allows us to finally appreciate the profound impact the editors have had on our understanding of his philosophy, his views and his cultural significance.




The Paradox of Cause and Other Essays


Book Description

These essays, deceptively simple in phrasing, address current and historic issues.




Knowledge Organization, Information Systems and Other Essays


Book Description

This festschrift is a collection of papers in honor of Prof. A. Neelameghan. The papers represent ongoing research in areas of contemporary interest in Knowledge Organization, Digital Libraries, and Knowledge Management in specialized areas. The contributors are international eminent scholars of the field.




Serpent-Worship, and Other Essays


Book Description

Embark on a fascinating exploration of ancient rituals and beliefs with "Serpent-worship, and Other Essays" by C. Staniland Wake. Delve into the mysterious world of serpent worship and uncover the rich tapestry of human spirituality through Wake's insightful essays. As you delve into the pages of this captivating book, you'll follow Wake's exploration of serpent worship and its significance in various cultures and civilizations throughout history. From ancient Egypt to pre-Columbian America, Wake's meticulous research sheds light on the enduring fascination with serpents and their symbolic importance in religious practices. Themes of mythology, symbolism, and religious syncretism abound in Wake's essays, inviting readers to contemplate the deeper meanings behind serpent worship and its role in shaping human consciousness. Through his scholarly analysis and engaging prose, Wake offers a thought-provoking journey into the complexities of belief and ritual. Wake's character analysis extends beyond individual figures to encompass entire civilizations and cultural movements. Through his examination of serpent symbolism in art, literature, and architecture, readers gain a deeper understanding of the profound impact that serpents have had on human culture and imagination. The overall tone of "Serpent-worship, and Other Essays" is one of scholarly inquiry and intellectual curiosity, as Wake seeks to unravel the mysteries surrounding serpent worship and its significance in the human psyche. With his erudite insights and engaging storytelling, he invites readers to join him on a quest for knowledge and understanding. Critical reception of Wake's work has been positive, praised for its depth of research, clarity of expression, and compelling argumentation. Scholars and enthusiasts of religious studies alike have found value in Wake's essays, which offer fresh perspectives on a topic that continues to captivate the human imagination. Designed for readers with a passion for history, mythology, and religious studies, "Serpent-worship, and Other Essays" offers a wealth of knowledge and insight into one of the most enduring symbols in human culture. Its accessible style and engaging content make it an ideal companion for anyone interested in delving deeper into the mysteries of serpent worship. In comparison to other works on serpent worship, Wake's essays stand out for their comprehensive coverage and scholarly rigor. By drawing on a wide range of sources and disciplines, Wake provides readers with a nuanced understanding of serpent symbolism and its cultural significance. Personally, "Serpent-worship, and Other Essays" resonates with me as a reminder of the enduring power of symbolism and myth in shaping human culture and belief systems. Wake's essays offer a fascinating glimpse into the diverse ways in which serpents have been revered and feared throughout history. Don't miss your chance to explore the fascinating world of serpent worship. Let "Serpent-worship, and Other Essays" by C. Staniland Wake be your guide as you unravel the mysteries of this ancient practice and discover its profound significance in human history. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey of intellectual discovery and exploration.




The Tree of Knowledge


Book Description

Whether considered a divine gift or a Promethean conquest, science has indisputably and indelibly marked the course of human history. A product of the intellectual elite, but always nourished by the many fruits of its applications, science appears today to be a perfect system, whose laws and discoveries guide all human activities. Yet the foundations of its authority remain an open question, entailing disquieting aspects that are also to be identified in modern science. Furthermore it is seen to be exerting an increasing power over mankind. Readers are invited to follow an itinerary through the history of science, a voyage which, in the end, enables them to catch a glimpse of two divergent futures: One in which science accelerates the downfall of Homo sapiens, and another in which it helps our species to engage in a new and positive adventure, whose outcome nobody can know.




"Coming to Writing" and Other Essays


Book Description

This collection presents six essays by one of France's most remarkable contemporary authors. A notoriously playful stylist, here Hélène Cixous explores how the problematics of the sexes--viewed as a paradigm for all difference, which is the organizing principle behind identity and meaning--manifest themselves, write themselves, in texts. These superb translations do full justice to Cixous's prose, to its songlike flow and allusive brilliance.




Methodology for Creating Business Knowledge


Book Description

This book presents and compares three different methodologies for gaining business knowledge: analytic, systems and actors. The consequences of using each approach in various practical and theoretical situations are examined







Elegy for Theory


Book Description

Rhetorically charged debates over theory have divided scholars of the humanities for decades. In Elegy for Theory, D. N. Rodowick steps back from well-rehearsed arguments pro and con to assess why theory has become such a deeply contested concept. Far from lobbying for a return to the "high theory" of the 1970s and 1980s, he calls for a vigorous dialogue on what should constitute a new, ethically inflected philosophy of the humanities. Rodowick develops an ambitiously cross-disciplinary critique of theory as an academic discourse, tracing its historical displacements from ancient concepts of theoria through late modern concepts of the aesthetic and into the twentieth century. The genealogy of theory, he argues, is constituted by two main lines of descent--one that goes back to philosophy and the other rooted instead in the history of positivism and the rise of the empirical sciences. Giving literature, philosophy, and aesthetics their due, Rodowick asserts that the mid-twentieth-century rise of theory within the academy cannot be understood apart from the emergence of cinema and visual studies. To ask the question, "What is cinema?" is to also open up in new ways the broader question of what is art.