From Physics to Politics
Subtitle: The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Philosophy
Contributors: Peter Redpath (Foreword)
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Published: May 25, 1999
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 190
ISBN-13: 9781560004110
Subjects: Ethics & moral philosophy; Metaphysics & ontology; Philosophy of science; Social & political philosophy; Western philosophy, from c 1900 -; Philosophy; Speculative Philosophy; Truth; Philosophy, Modern; Epistemology; Philosophy / General; History; Logic; Ideology; Metaphysics
Description: Mass ideology is unique to modern society and rooted in early modern philosophy. Traditionally, knowledge had been viewed as resting on metaphysics. Rejecting metaphysical truth evoked questions about the source of "truth." For nineteenth-century ideologists, "truth" comes either from dominating classes in a progressively determined history or from a post-Copernican freedom of the superior man to create it. In From Physics to Politics Robert C.

Trundle, Jr. uncovers the relation of modern philosophy to political ideology. And in rooting truth in human nature and Nature by modal reasoning, he resolves the problem of politicized truth.

Trundle's underlying thesis demonstrates why scientific truth demands a modal defense. The defense not only integrates science, ethics, and politics, but shows how "truth" may be ascribed to moral and scientific principles in contrast to a modern philosophical tradition. Since this tradition is the origin of political ideology, it has led to an irrational politicization of truth.

The book will appeal particularly to those interested in political history, histories of philosophy, the philosophy of sciences, and ethics.