World without Design: The Ontological Consequences of Naturalism [Hardcover]

Michael C. Rea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 2002

Philosophical naturalism, according to which philosophy is continuous with the natural sciences, has dominated the Western academy for well over a century, but Michael Rea claims that it is without rational foundation. Rea argues compellingly to the surprising conclusion that naturalists are committed to rejecting realism about material objects, materialism, and perhaps realism about other minds.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"succinct and penetrating... Thoroughly researched and richly argued, World Without Design will prove valuable to anyone interested in the naturalistic tradition."--Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

About the Author

Michael C. Rea is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199247609
• ISBN-13: 978-0199247608
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,566,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fair Critique of Naturalism, October 1, 2008

By 

Ryan Mullins (Deerfield, IL) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: World without Design: The Ontological Consequences of Naturalism (Paperback)

One of the other reviews mentioned that this work is a philosophical and scientific argument for the Intelligent Design movement. All I have to say in response to this is, "What book were you reading?" ID is only discussed on a few pages, and Rea is not particularly in favor of the movement.

Michael Rea's work is a fair critique of Naturalism. Several things are worthy of note. First, chapters 2 and 3 are of particular interest as they provide a good historical understanding of Naturalism. Second, throughout the whole work Rea does something different than most critiques of Naturalism. Instead of claiming it as a metaphysical position or a philosophical worldview, Rea argues that Naturalism is best viewed as a methodological research program (sort of like the concept of a research program in contemporary philosophy of science). He claims that metaphysical naturalism is self-referentially incoherent, and for the sake of charity, it is best viewed as a research program. From this basis he offers a critique arguing that as a methodological research program it fails to account for important things like Realism about material objects, and Realism about other minds.

Anyone who is interested in Ontology, Naturalism, Theism, or the philosophy of science should give this book a read. It is philosophically challenging so if you are not willing to engage in extended arguments this work is not for you. If you are looking for cheap shots, name calling, and the like I would suggest going elsewhere.

9 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Highly Recommended, December 12, 2007

By 

The Professor - See all my reviews

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This review is from: World without Design: The Ontological Consequences of Naturalism (Paperback)

World without Design: The Ontological Consequences of Naturalism is a scholarly review (as one would expect from Oxford University Press) of the scientific and philosophical evidence for Intelligent Design by a Notre Dame professor. He concluded that William Dembski has so far developed the most effective method for detecting design in nature with his specified complexity system (page 216). He then does a good job of summarizing Dembski's argument. Rea also effectively shows the harm of naturalism in Western society today. His discussion of the critical importance of Darwin in the shift to naturalism, and the now open hostility to theism today, is also covered in some detail (see pages 30-31). Rea is very careful in his conclusions, all of which are well documented in 13 pages of references. His critique of Richard Dawkins, such as on page 120-121, is excellent, both fair and balanced, as is this whole book. One important role of this excellent work is to show how important Intelligent Design (i. e. the argument for intelligence from design) has been in Western civilization for the past 2000 years as well as before this time. The book also shows that the modern crusade against Intelligent Design is unfounded and actually irrational.