The Quantum of Explanation: Whitehead’s Radical Empiricism (Routledge Studies in American Philosophy)

__The Quantum of Explanation__ advances a bold new theory of how explanation ought to be understood in philosophical and cosmological inquiries. Using a complete interpretation of Alfred North Whitehead’s philosophical and mathematical writings and an interpretive structure that is essentially new, Auxier and Herstein argue that Whitehead has never been properly understood, nor has the depth and breadth of his contribution to the human search for knowledge been assimilated by his successors. This important book effectively applies Whitehead’s philosophy to problems in the interpretation of science, empirical knowledge, and nature. It develops a new account of philosophical naturalism that will contribute to the current naturalism debate in both Analytic and Continental philosophy. Auxier and Herstein also draw attention to some of the most important differences between the process theology tradition and Whitehead’s thought, arguing in favor of a Whiteheadian naturalism that is more or less independent of theological concerns. This book offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to Whitehead’s philosophy and is an essential resource for students and scholars interested in American philosophy, the philosophy of mathematics and physics, and issues associated with naturalism, explanation and radical empiricism. The Quantum Of Explanation Advances A Bold New Theory Of How Explanation Ought To Be Understood In Philosophical And Cosmological Inquiries. Using A Complete Interpretation Of Alfred North Whitehead's Philosophical And Mathematical Writings And An Interpretive Structure That Is Essentially New, Auxier And Herstein Argue That Whitehead Has Never Been Properly Understood, Nor Has The Depth And Breadth Of His Contribution To The Human Search For Knowledge Been Assimilated By His Successors. This Important Book Effectively Applies Whitehead's Philosophy To Problems In The Interpretation Of Science, Empirical Knowledge, And Nature. It Develops A New Account Of Philosophical Naturalism That Will Contribute To The Current Naturalism Debate In Both Analytic And Continental Philosophy. Auxier And Herstein Also Draw Attention To Some Of The Most Important Differences Between The Process Theology Tradition And Whitehead's Thought, Arguing In Favor Of A Whiteheadian Naturalism That Is More Or Less Independent Of Theological Concerns. This Book Offers A Clear And Comprehensive Introduction To Whitehead's Philosophy And Is An Essential Resource For Students And Scholars Interested In American Philosophy, The Philosophy Of Mathematics And Physics, And Issues Associated With Naturalism, Explanation And Radical Empiricism -- From The Publisher. Reading Whitehead -- Whitehead's Radical Empiricism -- The Logic In Metaphysics -- The Quantum Of Explanation -- Extensive Connectedness (the Metaphysics In Logic) -- The Principle Of Relativity -- Genetic And Coordinate Division And Divisibility -- The Problem Of Possibility -- The Algebra Of Negative Prehension -- The Nature Of Naturalism -- Synoptic Pluralism & The Problem Of Whiteheadian Theology -- Possibility And God -- God's Mortal Soul. Randall E. Auxier And Gary L. Herstein. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Preface 8 Acknowledgements 14 Introduction 16 1 Reading Whitehead 38 2 Whitehead’s Radical Empiricism 54 3 The Logic in Metaphysics 65 4 The Quantum of Explanation 81 5 Extensive Connectedness (The Metaphysics in Logic) 97 6 The Principle of Relativity 113 7 Genetic and Coordinate Division and Divisibility 127 8 The Problem of Possibility 158 9 The Algebra of Negative Prehension 190 10 The Nature of Naturalism 208 11 Synoptic Pluralism and the Problem of Whiteheadian “Theology” 236 12 Possibility and God 255 13 God’s Mortal Soul 285 Notes 312 Index 368