120. Books on  Epistemology, Causation, Humankind

Further Reading:

123. Books on Determinism & Indeterminism

Ian Hacking The Taming of Chance, 1990.

Professor Ian Hacking presents a scholarly work on the analysis of probability’s history and its influence.

126. Books on the self

Daniel Dennett Consciousness Explained, 1991.

Philosopher, atheist, and materialist Daniel Dennett gives a philosophical framework for his assertions that our consciousness does not exist independently of our physical bodies. He further argues that neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence theories should replace philosophical ideas altogether.

128. Books on humankind

Ernest Becker The Denial of Death, 1973.

Why are we here? In answering this question, cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker explores our unwillingness to confront our mortality and the consequences of that failure.

Elaine Scarry The Body in Pain: The Making and Unmaking of the World, 1985.

Elaine Scarry’s analysis of physical pain also considers ethical, political, philosophical, medical, and religious issues.

Studs Terkel Will the Circle Be Unbroken?: Reflections on Death, Rebirth, and Hunger for Faith, 2001.

When he was 88, Studs Terkel interviewed people from all demographics, exploring their views on death. Through the interviews, readers are encouraged to examine their attitudes about life’s end.

Edward O. Wilson The Meaning of Human Existence, 2014.

Acclaimed biologist Edward O. Wilson explores how humans came to be here and why. For most of his career, Wilson adhered to a materialist view of humanity. Here he considers new possibilities. He also reflects on problems technology has created.

For more information on the Further Reading series, see Further Reading: Start Here.