[PDF] On The Scientific Basis Of Morals By William K Clifford A Paper Read Before The Metaphysical Society eBook

Author : William Kingdon Clifford
Publisher : BoD – Books on Demand
Page : 102 pages
File Size : 39,57 MB
Release : 2018-09-21
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 3734043190

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Reproduction of the original: The Scientific Basis of Morals, and other essays by William Kingdon Clifford

Author : William Kingdon Clifford
Publisher :
Page : pages
File Size : 18,12 MB
Release : 2017-11-22
Category :
ISBN : 9781910146316

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William Kingdon Clifford, FRS (1845-79) was an English mathematician and philosopher. His areas of research were very wide ranging and in this book, published posthumously, he demonstrates his interest in applying rational and scientific thought to the moral and ethical questions of human existence. The book republishes four of Clifford's essays: The Scientific Basis of Morals Right and Wrong: The Scientific Ground of their Distinction The Ethics of Belief The Ethics of Religion Even in our own 'post-modern age', it may be appropriate to reflect on Clifford's maxim of 'it is wrong always, everywhere and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence'. Perhaps humanity should apply Clifford's thought processes to the present-day problems of religious extremism, climate change and 'fake news'. This edition features short footnotes adding some explanations to the terms used in the original publication.

Author : Timothy Madigan
Publisher : Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Page : 200 pages
File Size : 31,12 MB
Release : 2008-12-18
Category : Philosophy
ISBN : 1443802638

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W. K. Clifford (1845-1879) was a noted mathematician and popularizer of science in the Victorian era. Although he made major contributions in the field of geometry, he is perhaps best known for a short essay he wrote in 1876, entitled "The Ethics of Belief", in which he argued that "It is wrong always, everywhere, and for any one, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence." Delivered initially as an address to the august Metaphysical Society (whose members included such luminaries as Alfred Lord Tennyson, William Gladstone, T. H. Huxley, and assorted scientists, clerics and philosophers of differing metaphysical views, "The Ethics of Belief" became a rallying cry for freethinkers and a bone of contention for religious apologists. It continues to be discussed today as an exemplar of what is called 'evidentialism', a key point in current philosophy of religion debates over justification of knowledge claims. In this book, Timothy J. Madigan examines the continuing relevance of "The Ethics of Belief" to epistemological and ethical concerns. He places the essay within the historical context, especially the so-called 'Victorian Crisis of Faith' of which Clifford was a key player. Clifford's own life and interests are dealt with as well, along with the responses to his essay by his contemporaries, the most famous of which was William James's "The Will to Believe." Madigan provides an overview of modern-day critics of Cliffordian evidentialism, as well as examining thinkers who were positively influenced by him, including Bertrand Russell, who was perhaps Clifford's most influential successor as an advocate of intellectual honesty. The book ends with a defense of "The Ethics of Belief" from a virtue-theory approach, and argues that Clifford utilizes an "as-if" methodology to encourage intellectual inquiry and communal truth-seeking.' The Ethics of Belief' continues to provoke and stimulate controversy, which was perhaps Clifford's own fondest hope, although he had no right to believe it would do so.

Author : William Kingdon Clifford
Publisher : Palala Press
Page : pages
File Size : 13,91 MB
Release : 2016-05-21
Category :
ISBN : 9781358350580

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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 will 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.

Author : William Kingdon Clifford
Publisher : Forgotten Books
Page : 62 pages
File Size : 36,55 MB
Release : 2016-09-23
Category :
ISBN : 9781333717322

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Excerpt from The Scientific Basis of Morals, and Other Essays: Viz;, Right and Wrong; The Ethics of Belief; The Ethics of Religion It may be said that this is not the whole of the meaning of the word responsible, ' even in its loosest sense; that it ought never to be used except of a conscious agent. Still this is part of its meaning; if we regard an event as determined by a variety of circumstances, a man's choice being among them, we say that he is re sponsible for just that choice which is left him by the other circumstances. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.