Free Will and the Human Sciences in Britain, 1870-1910

From the late nineteenth century onwards religion gave way to science as the dominant force in society. This led to a questioning of the principle of free will. Smith takes an in-depth look at the problem of free will through the prism of different disciplines. His subtly nuanced navigation through these arguments has much to contribute to our understanding of Victorian and Edwardian science and culture.

About the author

Roger Smith is emeritus reader in the history of science at Lancaster University.

Summary

From the late nineteenth century onwards religion gave way to science as the dominant force in society. This led to a questioning of the principle of free will—if the workings of the human mind could be reduced to purely physiological explanations, then what place was there for human agency and self-improvement?

Product details

• Authors: Roger Smith
• Publisher: University Of Pittsburgh Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2016
• EAN: 9780822964766
• ISBN: 978-0-8229-6476-6
• No. of pages: 288
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 16 mm
• Weight: 422 g
• Series: Science & Culture in the Nineteenth Century; Sci & Culture in the Nineteent; Sci & Culture in the Nineteent; Science & Culture in the Nineteenth Century; Sci & Culture in the Nineteenth Century; Science and Culture in the Nineteenth Century
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general)