Stubborn Fact and Creative Advance: An Introduction to the Metaphysics of Alfred North Whitehead

by Thomas E. Hosinski, C. S. C.

Overview

'...an attractive alternative to Victor Lowe's Understanding Whitehead, Ivor Leclerc's Whitehead's Metaphysics, and Donald Sherburne's A Key to Whitehead's Process and Reality....Recommended for advanced undergraduates and beyond.'-CHOICE

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461642626
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	08/11/1993
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	286
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Thomas E. Hosinski is professor at the University of Portland in Oregon.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: Whitehead and His Philosophy of Organism
Part 2 Part I: Human Experience and Actual Entities
Chapter 3 Human Experience and Common Sense
Chapter 4 The Theory of Concrescence: Initial Phase
Chapter 5 Theory of Concrescence: Responsive and Integrative Phases
Chapter 6 The Theory of Concrescence: The Supplemental Phases in "Higher Grade" Occasions
Chapter 7 Societies and Grades of Actual Occasions
Part 8 Part II: God and the World
Chapter 9 The Primordial Nature of God: The Unity of Actuality
Chapter 10 The Ultimacy of God
Part 11 Part III: Whitehead and Christian Theology
Chapter 12 The Usefulness of Whitehead's Philosophy for Christian Theology

Editorial Reviews

Not an original interpretation of Whitehead's (1861-1947) metaphysics, but a clarification of the peculiar ideas and terminology, designed to help readers new to his work make sense of it. Considers human experience and actual entities, God and the world, and Christian theology. Paper edition (unseen), $22.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

[a] sympathetic and spirited defence of Whitehead's complex metaphysics. .. one of the best introductory renderings of the status and significance of actual entities. . .

Transactions of the Charles S. Peirce Society

.. . an attractive alternative to Victor Lowe's Understanding Whitehead, Ivor Leclerc's Whitehead's Metaphysics, and Donald Sherburne's A Key to Whitehead's Process and Reality.. .. Recommended for advanced undergraduates and beyond.

Choice Reviews

Thanks to Hosinski serious students no longer have an excuse that making sense of Whitehead's metaphysics is beyond them.

The Expository Times

This is one of the best introductions to Whitehead's philosophy in print. This book will not only inform new students but will also enlighten seasoned scholars of Whitehead's work. Going beyond simple exposition, Hosinski's expert use of examples and illustrations clarifies Whitehead's neologisms and obscurities.

Religious Studies Review

.. . a masterful job of introducing complex new Whiteheadian language in a gentle, systematic way.. . .The availability of this book now makes it possible to include Whitehead in a semester course for undergraduates. Hosinski's superb study has overcome a long-standing pedagogical problem.

Donald W. Sherburne

Hosinski presents the complexities of Whitehead's conceptuality with remarkable simplicity and clarity.

John B. Cobb

.. . a splendid appraisal of Whitehead's difficult but vastly important metaphysics. Its very clarity and obvious relevance represent one of the best possible arguments. .. knowledgeable of both process philosophy and theology; accurate in its description of Whitehead's intricate and elegant system; appreciative of the boldness, novelty and incredible scope of his ideas; and judiciously critical.

Langdon Gilkey

At last, however, we have in Hosinski's fine book an exceptional approachable introduction to process thought, and one especially apt for those who wish to examine its theological possibilities.

Theological Studies

.. . an attractive alternative to Victor Lowe's Understanding Whitehead, Ivor Leclerc's Whitehead's Metaphysics, and Donald Sherburne's A Key to Whitehead's Process and Reality.. .. Recommended for advanced undergraduates and beyond.

Choice

.. . an attractive alternative to Victor Lowe's Understanding Whitehead, Ivor Leclerc's Whitehead's Metaphysics, and Donald Sherburne's A Key to Whitehead's Process and Reality.. .. Recommended for advanced undergraduates and beyond.

CHOICE

. . . a masterful job of introducing complex new Whiteheadian language in a gentle, systematic way. . . .The availability of this book now makes it possible to include Whitehead in a semester course for undergraduates. Hosinski's superb study has overcome a long-standing pedagogical problem.--Donald W. Sherburne, Vanderbilt University

. . . a splendid appraisal of Whitehead's difficult but vastly important metaphysics. Its very clarity and obvious relevance represent one of the best possible arguments . . . knowledgeable of both process philosophy and theology; accurate in its description of Whitehead's intricate and elegant system; appreciative of the boldness, novelty and incredible scope of his ideas; and judiciously critical.--Langdon Gilkey, Georgetown University

Hosinski presents the complexities of Whitehead's conceptuality with remarkable simplicity and clarity.--John B. Cobb, Jr., Claremont Graduate School

From the Publisher