Publisher's Synopsis
""Free Discussion of the Doctrines of Materialism and Philosophical Necessity"" is a philosophical treatise written by the renowned English theologian, natural philosopher, and chemist Joseph Priestley. In this book, Priestley engages in a critical analysis of the doctrines of materialism and philosophical necessity, which were popular philosophical concepts during his time. Priestley examines the arguments put forth by proponents of materialism, who believed that matter was the only substance in existence and that all mental phenomena were reducible to physical processes. He also delves into the ideas of philosophical necessity, which posited that all events in the universe were predetermined by causal laws.Through a systematic and rigorous analysis of these concepts, Priestley argues that materialism and philosophical necessity are flawed and that they cannot fully account for the complexity and diversity of human experience. He presents his own alternative views on the nature of reality and the human mind, drawing on his deep knowledge of natural philosophy, theology, and ethics.Overall, ""Free Discussion of the Doctrines of Materialism and Philosophical Necessity"" is a thought-provoking and insightful work that offers a unique perspective on some of the most fundamental questions of philosophy and science. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of philosophy, the nature of reality, and the limits of human knowledge.1778. This volume contains a correspondence between Dr. Price and Dr. Priestley, to which is added an introduction, explaining the nature of the controversy and letters to several writers who have animadverted on Dr. Priestley's disquisitions relating to matter and spirit, or his treatise on necessity. Written in Old English.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
