Alfred North Whitehead Science and the Modern World

"Science and the Modern World" is a cornerstone of twentieth-century intellectual history, exploring the profound shifts in human thought brought about by the rise of modern science. Alfred North Whitehead examines the development of scientific inquiry from the seventeenth century through the early twentieth century, tracing how discoveries in physics, mathematics, and biology have fundamentally altered our understanding of reality. Whitehead critiques the "scientific materialism" that dominated Enlightenment thought, arguing instead for a more holistic, organic worldview. By synthesizing philosophy with the latest advancements in relativity and quantum theory, he offers a comprehensive vision of a universe defined by process and interconnectedness rather than static matter. The work serves as an essential introduction to Whitehead's process philosophy, challenging readers to reconsider the relationship between abstract scientific concepts and the concrete experience of life. Spanning topics from the "Century of Genius" to the conceptual revolutions of his own era, Whitehead's analysis remains a vital resource for anyone interested in the philosophy of science, the history of ideas, and the metaphysical foundations of the modern age. This profound investigation bridges the gap between the humanities and the sciences, asserting that a true understanding of the world requires a unified perspective on both. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.