How the mind-world problem shaped the history of science: a historiographical analysis of Edwin Arthur Burtt's The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Physical Science part I

Chatzigeorgiou, K. (2020) How the mind-world problem shaped the history of science: a historiographical analysis of Edwin Arthur Burtt's The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Physical Science part I. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, 83, pp. 121-132. (doi: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2020.05.002)

Abstract

This manuscript, divided into two parts, provides a contextual and historiographical analysis of Edwin Arthur Burtt's classic The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Physical Science. My discussion corroborates the sparse technical literature on Burtt (Moriarty, 1994; Villemaire & Burtt, 2002), positioning his work in the aftermath of American idealism and the rise of realist, pragmatist and naturalist alternatives. However, I depart from the existing interpretations both in content and focus. Disagreeing with Moriarty, I maintain that Burtt's Metaphysical Foundations is not an idealist work. Moreover, I provide an alternative to Villemaire's mainly Deweyite/pragmatist reading, emphasizing the import of new realism and naturalism. Burtt's historical thesis should not be viewed as outlining a systematic philosophical position, but rather as a (coherent) culmination of numerous philosophical problematics. To support my conclusion, I provide a substantial summary of Burtt's text alongside a contextual analysis of the philosophical issues that preoccupied his teachers and peers in Columbia's philosophy department. I conclude with a historiographical section, rendering explicit the connections between Burtt's understanding of the scientific revolution, and his distinctive early 20th century American intellectual context.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Chatzigeorgiou, Mr Konstantinos

Creator Roles

Chatzigeorgiou, K.: Conceptualization, Investigation, Resources, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing

• Authors: Chatzigeorgiou, K.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities
• Journal Name: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0039-3681
• ISSN (Online): 1879-2510
• Published Online: 18 May 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 83:121-132
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy