In the present work, Wolfgang Smith presents an insider's critique of the scientific world-view based upon the sharp but often overlooked distinction between scientific truth and scientistic faith. With elegance and clarity he demonstrates that major tenets promulgated in the name of Science are not in fact scientific truths but rather scientistic speculations - for which there is no evidence at all. Step by step the reader is led to the astonishing realization that the specifically 'modern' world is based intellectually upon nothing more substantial than a syndrome of Promethean myths. But this is only half of what the book accomplishes. Its primary contribution is to recover and reaffirm the deep metaphysical and religious insights that have come down to us through the teachings of Christianity. And herein lies the true worth of this remarkable treatise: having broken the grip of scientistic presuppositions, the author succeeds admirably in bringing to view great truths that had long been obscured.

Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief

Politics & Social Sciences

Smith, Wolfgang

Philosophy

Sherwood Sugden & Company

Following the overthrow of the classical world picture by the findings of quantum mechanics, physicists have proposed a broad gamut of alternative worldviews. The Quantum Enigma begins with the major recognition that each of these suffers from a certain "residual Cartesianism" that has been smuggled in unconsciously. It turns out that the moment this hidden and problematic premise is discarded, quantum theory begins to "make sense" in a way that it never has before. As the author shows, it is now possible, for the first time, to integrate the findings of quantum physics into a worldview that conforms to the permanent intuitions of mankind. This work can be read by scientists but is also surprisingly accessible to the general reader unacquainted with the technical conceptions of physics or the quantum-reality literature.

The Quantum Enigma: Finding the Hidden Key

Religion & Spirituality

Open Court Pub. Co

Following upon the overthrow of the classical world picture by the findings of quantum mechanics, physicists have proposed a broad gamut of alternative world views. The present book begins with the major recognition that each of these suffers from a certain "residual Cartesianism" that has been smuggled in, as it were, unconsciously. It turns out, moreover, that the moment one discards this hidden and problematic premise, quantum theory begins to "make sense" in a way that it never has before. As the author goes on to show, it now becomes possible, for the first time, to integrate the findings of quantum physics into a world view that is neither forced nor ad hoc, but conforms to the permanent intuitions of mankind.Surprisingly, this treatise can be read with pleasure and profit, not only by scientists, but also by readers previously unacquainted with the technical conceptions of physics or the quantum-reality literature.

Quantum Enigma: Finding the Hidden Key

Open Court

Wolfgang Smith, drawing upon a rare combination of expertise in mathematical physics, philosophy and traditional metaphysics, has written extensively on interdisciplinary problems relating to these respective domains. The present book has evolved out of a key ontological recognition consonant with time-honored metaphysical doctrine. In keeping with a realist view of cognitive sense perception, it rejects the Cartesian dichotomy of res extensa and res cogitans, and obviates what Whitehead referred to as the fallacy of bifurcation. In an earlier book (The Quantum Enigma, 1995) the author established two facts: first, that a consistent non-bifurcationist interpretation of physics can be formulated; and second, that this eliminates at one stroke the various forms of "quantum paradox" resulting from superposition and the so-called collapse of the state vector. The crucial ingredient of the new approach, mandated by the aforesaid recognition, is an ontological distinction between the physical domain, accessed via measurement, and the corporeal, accessed by way of cognitive sense perception. In the present book the author extends this metaphysically-based interpretation from fundamental physics to contemporary cosmology. With the aid of a few additional conceptions consonant, say, with the Thomistic doctrine-such as the concept of what he terms "the extrapolated universe", or the notion of "vertical causation" relating to intelligent design-he treats a broad range of issues from a unified metaphysical point of view. Not surprisingly, his conclusions tent to be radically at odds with the prevailing interpretations of scientific data, regardless of whether these are based upon naturalistic or scientistically theistic presuppositions. The author's approach may thus be characterized as the third alternative: the sole option, it appears, consistent with the Aristotelian and Platonist traditions, and with the wisdom of Christianity, as delineated especially in the Patristic writings.

The Wisdom of Ancient Cosmology: Contemporary Science in Light of Tradition

Foundation for Traditional Studies

In this issue of Sophia, the leading Islamic thinker in America, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, speaks out on the environmental crisis in a compellling interview, and the noted scientist and theologian, Wolfgang Smith, writes on cosmology and gnosis. Other highlights include an article on parallels between Shingon Buddhism and Islam, an indepth analysis of the cosmogonic significance of the Ark of Noah and the Ark of the Covenant, the story of a spiritual seeker's journey in Ladakh, and a thorough assessment of the mathematical implications of the metaphysics of Rene Guenon.

Sophia

Nasr, Seyyed Hossein

Coomaraswamy, Rama

Buddhism

Foundation for Traditional

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama spoke with Iranian philosopher Ramin Jahanbegloo in May 2007 for this issue of Sophia on a wide range of topics including Buddhist tradition, compassion, and September 11, 2001. Other articles include Wolfgang Smith on "Transcending the creatio ex nihilo: A Kabbalistic Exegesis," Timothy Scott on the Annunciation in Renaissance art, Eugene Myshkin on "Becoming an Icon of God," and articles on Catholic attitudes towards Islam, perennial philosophy and the study of religion, and poems by Seyyed Hossein Nasr and Brian Keeble.

Sophia Volume 13, No. 1

Dalai, Lama

This issue of Sophia contains the much anticipated response to Stephen Hawkings' recent book, Grand Design, by the renowned traditional Catholic thinker, Wolfgang Smith. In his powerful essay, Smith sets forth Grand Design's key conceptions and the overall logic of its argument, offers a five-fold refutation, based upon both philosophic and scientific grounds, and, finally, places the phenomenon of Hawking's best-seller in perspective by reflecting upon the nature, motivation, and limits of the scientific enterprise as such. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the revered Muslim author and philosopher, offers profound insights into the meaning of "The Self and the Other" and how they must be re-evaluated in light of the crossroads at which we find ourselves today, focusing particularly on Jewish/Islamic relations. Charles Upton gives readers a glimpse into Quranic verses pertaining to the world of nature in "Tafsir of the Natural World"; Thomas Block writes on the spiritual teachings tales that are found in both Sufism and Hasidism; Larry Rinehart shares his insights in "Apologia for a Lutheran Mystical Gnosis"; and in "The Transcendental Unity of Revelations according to Nicholas of Cusa" Jean Borella presents Nicholas of Cusa's concept of the transcendental unity of revelations and the implicit recognition of this unity in the medieval and ancient Christianity preceding him. Darrell Blakeway's review essay of HRH Prince Charles' book, Harmony: A New Way of Looking at our World, provides an in depth look at the dedicated work of Prince Charles, his urgent call for environmental renewal, and his view of the way forward to the realization of the goal of humanity living in harmony with nature.

Sophia Volume 16, Number 2

Upton, Charles

Angelico Press/Sophia Perennis

Following the overthrow of the classical world picture by the findings of quantum mechanics, physicists have proposed a broad gamut of alternative worldviews. The Quantum Enigma begins with the major recognition that each of these suffers from a certain "residual Cartesianism" that has been smuggled in unconsciously. It turns out that the moment this hidden and problematic premise is discarded, quantum theory begins to "make sense" in a way that it never has before. As the author shows, it is now possible, for the first time, to integrate the findings of quantum physics into a worldview that conforms to the permanent intuitions of mankind. This work can be read by scientists but is also surprisingly accessible to the general reader unacquainted with the technical conceptions of physics or the quantum-reality literature.

The Quantum Engima: Finding the Hidden Key

In the present work, Wolfgang Smith presents an insider's critique of the scientific world-view based upon the sharp but often overlooked distinction between scientific truth and scientistic faith. With elegance and clarity he demonstrates that major tenets promulgated in the name of Science are not in fact scientific truths but rather scientistic speculations - for which there is no evidence at all. Step by step the reader is led to the astonishing realization that the specifically 'modern' world is based intellectually upon nothing more substantial than a syndrome of Promethean myths. But this is only half of what the book accomplishes. Its primary contribution is to recover and reaffirm the deep metaphysical and religious insights that have come down to us through the teachings of Christianity. And herein lies the true worth of this remarkable treatise: having broken the grip of scientistic presuppositions, the author succeeds admirably in bringing to view great truths that had long been obscured.

Cosmos & Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief

Christian Books & Bibles

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Smith, Wolfgang. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Smith, Wolfgang

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Smith, Wolfgang. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief

The Quantum Enigma: Finding the Hidden Key

Quantum Enigma: Finding the Hidden Key

The Wisdom of Ancient Cosmology: Contemporary Science in Light of Tradition

Sophia

Sophia Volume 13, No. 1

Sophia Volume 16, Number 2

The Quantum Enigma: Finding the Hidden Key

The Quantum Engima: Finding the Hidden Key

Cosmos & Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief