Farewell to Reason

New
Paperback
1987
$39.63

This new book by Paul Feyerbrand offers a vigorous challenge to the scientific rationalism the underlies Western ideals of 'progress' and 'development', whose damaging sociological and ecological consequences are now widely recognized. For all their variety of theme and occasion, the essays in Farewell to Reason share a consistent philosophical purpose. Whether discussing Greek art and thought, vindicating the Church's battle with Galileo, exploring the development of quantum physics or exposing the dogmatism of Karl Popper, Feyerbend defends a relativist and historical notion of the sciences. The appeal to reason, he insists, is empty, and must be replaced by a notion of science that subordinates it to the needs of citizens and communities. Provocative, polemical and rigorously argued, Farewell to Reason will infuriate Feyerbend's critics and delight his many admirers.

Synopsis

This new book by Paul Feyerbrand offers a vigorous challenge to the scientific rationalism the underlies Western ideals of 'progress' and 'development', whose damaging sociological and ecological consequences are now widely recognized. For all their variety of theme and occasion, the essays in Farewell to Reason share a consistent philosophical purpose. Whether discussing Greek art and thought, vindicating the Church's battle with Galileo, exploring the development of quantum physics or exposing the dogmatism of Karl Popper, Feyerbend defends a relativist and historical notion of the sciences. The appeal to reason, he insists, is empty, and must be replaced by a notion of science that subordinates it to the needs of citizens and communities. Provocative, polemical and rigorously argued, Farewell to Reason will infuriate Feyerbend's critics and delight his many admirers.

$39.63

Quantity

20+ in stock

More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 362
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Verso Books
Published: 01 Oct 1987
ISBN 10: 0860918963
ISBN 13: 9780860918967

Media Reviews

An audacious thinker, a brilliant polemicist, an iconoclast... - Publishers Weekly This is a lovely book. Feyerbend's prose is sparkling and his writing is deeply learned. - New Statesman

Author Bio

Paul Feyerbend is Professor of Philosophy in the University of California at Berkely, and Professor of the Philosophy Science at the Federal Institute of Technology at Zurich. His studies included physics, mathematics, astronomy and theatre and opera production before he turned to philosophy. His numerous articles in professional and more popular journals reflect the variety of his interests. His most recent books in English are Against Method and Science in a Free Society, both published by Verso and Philosophical Papers, published by Cambridge University Press.