In March 1929, Alfred North Whitehead delivered the Louis Clarke Vanuxem Foundation Lectures at Princeton University, published the same year as The Function of Reason by Princeton University Press. In this slim (just shy of 100 pages) but powerful book, Whitehead situates the nature and function of reason in historical-cosmological perspective and in light of his “philosophy of organism” as developed in Process and Realty (also published in 1929).
Whitehead opens the book with the following “introductory summary:”
History discloses two main tendencies in the course of events. One tendency is exemplified in the slow decay of physical nature. With stealthy inevitableness, there is degradation of energy. The sources of activity sink downward and downward. Their very matter wastes. The other tendency is exemplified by the yearly renewal of nature in the spring, and by the upward course of biological evolution. In these pages I consider Reason in its relation to these contrasted aspects of history. Reason is the self-discipline of the originative element in history. Apart from the operations of Reason, this element is anarchic.
Over three weeks we will engage in a close communal reading of The Function of Reason that is leisurely, informal, and discussion based. Meeting once a week, we will discuss key themes of each chapter in relation to history, evolution, human experience, and Whitehead’s philosophy. Students are encouraged to take notes on the reading and come prepared for each session with comments, questions, and quotes to discuss.
WHICH VERSION ARE WE READING?
Students are free to purchase any version of The Function of Reason. However, this version is recommended.
The book is also freely available online here.
WHAT’S THE READING SCHEDULE?
Week 1: Ch. 1 (11/16)
Week 2: Ch. 2 (11/23)
Week 3: Ch. 3 (11/30)
WHAT DO STUDENTS GET?
All students receive copies of the recorded discussions for review.
Note: Reading group limited to 15 students.
In March 1929, Alfred North Whitehead delivered the Louis Clarke Vanuxem Foundation Lectures at Princeton University, published the same year as The Function of Reason by Princeton University Press. In this slim (just shy of 100 pages) but powerful book, Whitehead situates the nature and function of reason in historical-cosmological perspective and in light of his “philosophy of organism” as developed in Process and Realty (also published in 1929).
Whitehead opens the book with the following “introductory summary:”
History discloses two main tendencies in the course of events. One tendency is exemplified in the slow decay of physical nature. With stealthy inevitableness, there is degradation of energy. The sources of activity sink downward and downward. Their very matter wastes. The other tendency is exemplified by the yearly renewal of nature in the spring, and by the upward course of biological evolution. In these pages I consider Reason in its relation to these contrasted aspects of history. Reason is the self-discipline of the originative element in history. Apart from the operations of Reason, this element is anarchic.
Over three weeks we will engage in a close communal reading of The Function of Reason that is leisurely, informal, and discussion based. Meeting once a week, we will discuss key themes of each chapter in relation to history, evolution, human experience, and Whitehead’s philosophy. Students are encouraged to take notes on the reading and come prepared for each session with comments, questions, and quotes to discuss.
WHICH VERSION ARE WE READING?
Students are free to purchase any version of The Function of Reason. However, this version is recommended.
The book is also freely available online here.
WHAT’S THE READING SCHEDULE?
Week 1: Ch. 1 (11/16)
Week 2: Ch. 2 (11/23)
Week 3: Ch. 3 (11/30)
WHAT DO STUDENTS GET?
All students receive copies of the recorded discussions for review.
Note: Reading group limited to 15 students.
