Radical Currents in Contemporary Philosophy

Edited by David H. DeGrood, Dale Riepe, & John Somerville

PREFACE

IT IS MORE than twenty years since the publication of a significant cooperative volume edited by Roy Wood Sellars, V. J. McGill, and Marvin Farber. The title of their volume, Philosophy for the Future: The Quest of Modern Materialism (1949), was a challenge for philosophers to consider carefully the naturalistic and materialistic alternative to Continental European Existentialism, Anglo‑American “analytic” movements, and the traditional supernatural frameworks. In the hope of continuing within the tradition of the Sellars, McGill and Farber volume, I contacted numerous scholars, many of whom had contributed to the earlier volume, about the possibility of bringing out a companion text. The present work represents the active participation of these scholars. Naturally, the contributors take responsibility only for their own articles, since many different kinds and ranges of naturalistic and materialistic tendencies are represented here, as will be obvious to those familiar with the literature. Uniformity in a narrow sense was not sought, but rather I tried to exhibit the vitality and multiplicity of “scientific philosophy” today throughout the world.

It seems to me to be of paramount importance today that narrow specialization, trivialization of philosophical activity, and assorted anti­scientific irrationalisms have profoundly distorted the activity of philosophy and have unfortunately retarded the progressive role which philosophy must assert in helping to shape the events in today’s fast-changing world. It seems to me to be a great tragedy that in much of the “civilized” world philosophers have ceased to exercise their traditional role of critically evaluating existing beliefs and institutions.

In our attempt to challenge anew established dogmas and institutions, we have tried to set a balance between the generation of Philosophy for the Future and the newer generation so eager to [xi/xii] transform the present into the future. Moreover, a balance was also set between materials already printed (and worthy of being considered again) and materials to appear for the first time. Furthermore, it is a great honor for me that some of my former teachers and classmates have consented to join in this effort in portraying philosophical trends of many continents.

Works such as these, however, are not only the result of the labors of an “intelligentsia,” they are also grounded in the strenuous labors of an academic “proletariat.” Naturally, in all areas of human activity, reflection and labor complement one another. I wish to express my appreciation to the following secretaries and typists: Donna Aiple, Jacalyn Berger, Janet Chubak, Patricia Grose, Virginia Martin, Paula Martinelli, Susan Schiffman, and Natalie Silverglide. As usual, my lovely wife performed as typist and co‑worker without hesitation and with her usual vigor. Also those holding rights to some of the papers contained in the cooperative volume anthology are offered our profoundest thanks.

My fellow editors, Dale Riepe and John Somerville, served graciously in making this volume worthwhile. I also wish to thank the following University officials for their encouragement: President Henry W. Littlefield, Chancellor James H. Halsey, Vice‑President Robert A. Christie, and Head Librarian Lewis M. Ice. The hundreds of fellow students who have voiced their hopes that these essays would be printed are also extended my gratitude. Special thanks must go to Professor Howard L. Parsons, my colleague, who has always been ready to give constructive suggestions during this book’s production. I should also enjoy thanking Dean Donald W. Fletcher for his generous assistance in having certain technical problems alleviated.

The responsibility for any errors of judgment which remain, naturally, is my own.

DAVID H. DEGROOD
Editor‑In‑Chief            

CONTENTS

PART I
THE NATURE OF PHILOSOPHY

PART II
COSMOLOGY, ONTOLOGY, AND EPISTEMOLOGY

PART III
SOCIAL PHILOSOPHY

PART IV
LOGIC AND PHILOSOPHY OF VALUES

SOURCE: Radical Currents in Contemporary Philosophy, edited by David H. DeGrood, Dale Riepe, & John Somerville. St. Louis: W. H. Green, 1971. xiv, 277 pp. (Modern Concepts of Philosophy) Preface, xi-xii; Contents, xiii-xiv.

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"Life-World within Brackets"
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“The Thunderbolt, Interpenetration and Heraclitus”
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American Philosophy Study Guide

Marx and Marxism Web Guide

Selections from Contemporary East European Philosophy, Revolutionary World,
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Bibliography & Web Links