Exploring the philosophy of Plotinus, Stephen Clark delves into the balance between soul-body composites and the World Soul, addressing how these ideas can inform the creation of a divinely-ordered city today. He examines interpretations from Christian, Islamic, and Hindu traditions, highlighting the significance of reincarnating souls and the role of hermits versus communal living. Clark suggests that even solitary seekers may form unstructured communities, while also contemplating future societal developments influenced by technology and potential upheavals.
"In this engaging study Professor Clark sets out to show that there are good philosophical reasons for theism, and Christian theism in particular. He travels the breadth of our intellectual engagement with the world, from ethics to scientific knowledge, and his journey is vigorously argued, fresh, lively and readable. He explores the assumptions which underpin our philosophical and everyday thinking alike, examines the construction of the arguments used to support them, and tests the sturdiness and the makeup of their props and foundations." --Cover.
This work offers a comprehensive examination of biological theory from Darwin's time to the present, exploring the evolution of ideas and concepts in the field. It delves into the key developments and debates that have shaped our understanding of biology, highlighting significant contributions and shifts in perspective. The author presents a critical analysis of how Darwin's theories laid the groundwork for modern biology, while also addressing contemporary challenges and advancements in the discipline.
Exploring a diverse range of cultural contexts, this book expands the discourse of philosophy of religion beyond traditional Western Christian themes. It delves into various religious practices and expressions, examining sacred texts, rites of passage, and movements such as British Israelism and spiritism, as well as Aztec devil-worship. By incorporating both familiar and exotic examples, it challenges the conventional boundaries of philosophical inquiry in religion.
The book explores the tension between faith and reason, inspired by Tertullian's famous question about the relationship between Jerusalem (representing faith) and Athens (representing reason). Clark examines various worldviews, often in conflict, and ultimately advocates for the importance of reason, the pursuit of truth, and the validity of consciousness in the face of modern skepticism. Through expanded lectures, it offers a robust defense of rational thought and its relevance in contemporary discourse.
Exploring the spiritual exercises outlined by Plotinus, Stephen R. L. Clark delves into the transformative power of contemplation. He analyzes various myths and metaphors from Plotinus's work, placing them within the cultural and philosophical landscape of his era. Through this examination, Clark highlights the significance of self-transformation as a central aim of Plotinus's philosophy.
Exploring the intersection of myth and cosmology, this collection delves into ancient stories that illuminate the emergence of existence from nothingness. These narratives not only echo modern scientific theories but also serve as transformative resources for enriching human life. By examining these myths, readers are encouraged to seek wisdom and wonder, revealing insights into our origins and our connection with all living beings. The text invites a reflective and appreciative approach to the profound tales that shape our understanding of the universe.
Philosophical speculation and science fiction are united in this: what is now obvious is most likely to be false, or at best a transient mode of being. In exploring future possibilities, the author introduces science fiction writers and contemporary philosophers alike to the riches of their twin traditions. What is the likely future of our species? What sort of global religious feeling is likely to prevail? How far can we go in engineering living artefacts, or our own descendants? Are we on the cusp of a new reality, in which we shall have to choose how «human» we will remain, what seemingly obvious feelings and beliefs need to be revised or re-imagined? Is it even possible that we are living out a dream, devised by the last intelligences in the last days of the universe? What now exists seems to most of us to be obvious, or even eternal, but the truth is otherwise: even our most trusted intuitions and our most stable institutions (as they seem) could have been entirely different, and may be different again. Our ordinary life may be a dream and a delirium, as ancient philosophers thought, and our chief task is to wake up.
