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  3. A Philosopher Looks at Human Beings
  • Cited by 11
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
May 2021
Print publication year:
2021
Online ISBN:
9781108907057
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108907057
Subjects:
Biological Anthropology, Philosophy: General Interest, Philosophy of Science, Anthropology, Philosophy
Series:
A Philosopher Looks At
Information

Book description

Why do we think ourselves superior to all other animals? Are we right to think so? In this book, Michael Ruse explores these questions in religion, science and philosophy. Some people think that the world is an organism - and that humans, as its highest part, have a natural value (this view appeals particularly to people of religion). Others think that the world is a machine - and that we therefore have responsibility for making our own value judgements (including judgements about ourselves). Ruse provides a compelling analysis of these two rival views and the age-old conflict between them. In a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion, he draws on Darwinism and existentialism to argue that only the view that the world is a machine does justice to our humanity. This new series offers short and personal perspectives by expert thinkers on topics that we all encounter in our everyday lives.

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