A 2 Volume Set
By John Fiske
Published by Houghton, Mifflin And Company: Boston 1890
"Outlines of Cosmic Philosophy: Based on the Doctrine of Evolution, with Criticisms on the Positive Philosophy by John Fiske, published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company in Boston in 1890, is a landmark two-volume synthesis of science, philosophy, and religion in the post-Darwinian age. Drawing inspiration from Herbert Spencer's evolutionary theory, Fiske seeks to reconcile the principles of scientific progress with spiritual and moral understanding. Through lucid and methodical exposition, he explores the development of matter, mind, and society as expressions of a unified cosmic order, presenting evolution not merely as a biological process but as the governing law of the universe. His thoughtful engagement with Auguste Comte's positivism provides a balanced critique of materialist philosophy, affirming the possibility of a moral and theistic interpretation of evolution.
Written for both scholars and the educated public, Fiske's work stands as one of the clearest American statements of evolutionary philosophy in the nineteenth century. It combines intellectual rigor with an accessible literary style, bridging scientific inquiry and humanistic reflection at a time when faith and reason were often seen in conflict. This 1890 two-volume edition remains a foundational text in American intellectual history and will appeal to collectors of philosophical works, students of Victorian thought, and readers interested in the intersection of science and spirituality.
John Fiske (1842 - 1901) was an American philosopher and historian. He was heavily influenced by Herbert Spencer and applied Spencer's concepts of evolution to his own writings on linguistics, philosophy, religion, and history.
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