What conclusions do the facts of cosmic and organic evolution require or permit on the origin and destiny of the world and the individual? From 1881 to 1925 Thomas Whittaker, an Oxford-trained scientist turned philosopher, grappled with this question, which he tried to answer by metaphysical interpretation of the sciences. The majority of the essays in this volume first appeared in Mind, and a few in other journals, while three had not been previously published. Whittaker ranges widely over some of the most daring theories of the past, from the early centuries of the common era (including Apollonius of Tyana and Origen), to the middle ages (including John Scotus Erigena and Nicholas of Cusa), the renaissance (Giordano Bruno, Shakespeare) and the early modern period. Whittaker's own view is that hypothesis and imagination are legitimate aids in the search for truth in both science and philosophy in a new synthesis.

Originally published in 1934, this book presents a series of essays on various important figures and ideas in the development of philosophy. The essays cover the following subjects: 'Reason'; 'Comte and Mill'; 'Schopenhauer'; 'Vico's new science of humanity'; and 'Transcendence in Spinoza'. An index of names is also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of philosophy.

First published in 1918, as the second edition of a 1901 original, this book presents a study regarding the development of Neoplatonism, with information on the historical and religious contexts of its development. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in classical philosophy and Neoplatonism.

Originally published in 1916, this book presents a study regarding the theory of abstract ethics. Notes are incorporated throughout. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in philosophy and ethics.

Originally published in 1923, this book contains a short account of the life and works of Macrobius. Whittaker analyses both of the surviving works of Macrobius in the light of competing philosophical ideas and assesses the impact these treatises had on science and reason in the Middle Ages. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in ancient philosophy and the history of science.

Originally published in 1931, this book provides an introduction to the problems of ultimate reality. Whittaker discusses the history and prospects of metaphysical philosophy, with particular reference to the works of Plato and Leibniz. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in metaphysics or Platonism.