Science and PoetryCrude materialism, reduction of mind to body, extreme individualism. All products of a 17th century scientific inheritance which looks at the parts of our existence at the expense of the whole. Cutting through myths of scientific omnipotence, Mary Midgley explores how this inheritance has so powerfully shaped the way we are, and the problems it has brought with it. She argues that poetry and the arts can help reconcile these problems, and counteract generations of 'one-eyed specialists', unable and unwilling to look beyond their own scientific or literary sphere. Dawkins, Atkins, Bacon and Descartes all come under fire as Midgely sears through contemporary debate, from Gaia to memes, and organic food to greenhouse gases. After years of unquestioned imperialism, science is finally forced to take a step back and acknowledge the arts. |
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actually animals aspects atomistic B.F. Skinner behaviour believe biological Brian Goodwin causal central century claim complex concept context course culture Darwin David Chalmers Descartes doctrine duties E.O. Wilson earth entities Epicurean Epicurus epiphenomenalism everyday evolution explanation fact feeling force fundamental Gaia genes hard human idea ideals imagery important individual involved James Lovelock Journal of Consciousness kind language Lewis Wolpert live London look Lovelock Lucretius matter means memes metaphysical methods mind modern science moral natural notion objects organisms ourselves Oxford particles particular pattern people’s philosophers physical science planet poetry political problem of consciousness question rational reason relation religion Richard Dawkins scientific scientists seems selfish Selfish Gene sense simply social atomism social Darwinism sociobiological subjects suggested surely T.H. Huxley talk theorists theory things thinking thought tion topic trouble trying understand University Press whole wider word