Mind and Cosmos

Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False by Thomas Nagel, 128 pages

 

In this book, Nagel, a philosophy professor at NYU, argues that the inability of a reductionist, materialist conception of nature to account for phenomena such as subjective consciousness, abstract reasoning, and the recognition of transpersonal values requires a revision of much current thinking about the development of the universe, and especially of the development of life.  Nagel does not doubt the truth of neo-Darwinian evolution as a physical process, but concludes that the understanding of this process must be modified in radical ways in order to answer these basic questions.

Nagel admits that he offers little in the way of definitive answers.  There is a refreshing humility about this book, beginning with the title's use of "almost" to modify "certainly".  It will please neither theists nor materialists, since Nagel deliberately rejects both positions.  Hopefully, both will accept the author's respectful dissent from their beliefs, and appreciate the sincerity of his pursuit of truth, which shines through clearly.  Every camp will benefit from an honest engagement with the concerns raised here.