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Full Description
Nicholas Rescher's book Axiogenesis: An Essay in Metaphysical Optimalism is a detailed exposition of axiogenerts: the philosophical theory seeking to explain the world's facts on the basis of evaluative considerations. In classical antiquity, this theory was espoused by Plato (in the Timaeus) and neo-Platonic tradition; in early modern times, it was revived by Leibniz and continued to find favor in the development of rational mechanics from Maupertuis to William Hamilton. However, since then the principles behind axiogenesis and similar theories have fallen out of fashion. This book is therefore unique in that it argues in detail that this metaphysical approach still has traction and endeavors to formulate the theory in a manner that makes it available as a live option for contemporary thinkers. Advanced students of philosophy and professionals in this field, as well as anyone interested in the issue of speculative metaphysics, will find Rescher's contemporary refashioning of axiogenesis a distinctly compelling read.
Contents
Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Chapter 1. Ultimate Questions Chapter 3 Chapter 2. Ultimate Answers Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Optimalism and its Turn to Axiology Chapter 5 Chapter 4. Intelligence and Rationality as Pivots for Optimality: the Idea of Noophelia Chapter 6 Chapter 5. Abandoning Efficient Causality for Axiotropism Chapter 7 Chapter 6. Meeting Objections to Optimalism Chapter 8 Chapter 7. On the Improvability of the World Chapter 9 Chapter 8. Axiogenesis and Intelligent Design Chapter 10 Chapter 9. Intelligence in an Evolutionary Perspective Chapter 11 Chapter 10. Is Noophelic Axiogenesis Unscientific? Chapter 12 Chapter 11. Leibnizian Physics as a Case Study Chapter 13 Chapter 12. Gödel: Noophelia in the Twentieth Century Chapter 14 Chapter 13. Axiogenesis and Theology
