> In support of his skepticism [about the soundness of scientific explanations of nature], Nagel writes: “The world is an astonishing place, and the idea that we have in our possession the basic tools needed to understand it is no more credible now than it was in Aristotle’s day.” This seems to us perhaps the most startling sentence in all of Mind and Cosmos.
Nagel doesn't seem to give science credit where credit is due.
I find Daniel Dennett a much more interesting read because he actually wrestles with the philosophical implications of the scientific revolution, rather than rejecting scientific naturalism basically because it doesn't "feel right".
From Dennett's work I recommend Darwin's Dangerous Idea, especially the discussion of "cranes" and "skyhooks". Dennett says that, according to evolutionary theory, the complex structure of the world is built from the bottom up by a sequence of cranes (upon cranes upon cranes...) rather than being dropped from the mysterious, omnipotent heavens by "skyhooks".
> In support of his skepticism [about the soundness of scientific explanations of nature], Nagel writes: “The world is an astonishing place, and the idea that we have in our possession the basic tools needed to understand it is no more credible now than it was in Aristotle’s day.” This seems to us perhaps the most startling sentence in all of Mind and Cosmos.
Nagel doesn't seem to give science credit where credit is due.
I find Daniel Dennett a much more interesting read because he actually wrestles with the philosophical implications of the scientific revolution, rather than rejecting scientific naturalism basically because it doesn't "feel right".
From Dennett's work I recommend Darwin's Dangerous Idea, especially the discussion of "cranes" and "skyhooks". Dennett says that, according to evolutionary theory, the complex structure of the world is built from the bottom up by a sequence of cranes (upon cranes upon cranes...) rather than being dropped from the mysterious, omnipotent heavens by "skyhooks".