Harry Settanni Boeken

Dr. Settanni's fascinating study of John Stuart Mill's outlook on religion probes certain fundamental tensions and contradictions in his thinking. What is described herein is the history of one thinker who could not fully embrace the theism of orthodox religions and yet who could never be content with skepticism either. His education in philosophic Utilitarianism led him toward agnosticism. His wife's death led him toward belief. These same tensions are present, although in an admittedly more abstract manner, in his philosophy. The text reveals how Mill attempted to resolve these contradictions by a probabilist form of Theism, and the question remains as to how ultimately successful he was.

This book deals with the necessity for a revival of an ancient philosophical world-view, the world-view of holism, in order to solve current global problems. Today, worldwide problems such as the threat of nuclear war and environmental destruction, poverty, and drug-related crime demand a global approach. Such a global approach is found in holism, the philosophy which claims that reality is an interconnected, interdependent whole, which radically changes the nature of each element within it. The author applies the holistic approach to the natural and social sciences, to art and religion, and then traces holism back to its roots in philosophy.

What is Man? addresses itself to four perennial problems or questions concerning human nature. These are four questions which we will probably keep asking ourselves as long as the human race exists. They 1. Is man free or determined like a machine? 2. Does human nature change? 3. Is man primarily the product of heredity or environment? 4. Is man basically good or evil? The author explores alternative positions taken on these questions in the history of philosophy, and then adeptly describes two contrasting schools of thought on human nature and points to the need for future research.