(1) Reason and Nature: an Essay on the Meaning of Scientific Method (2) Science and First Principles (3) The Logic of Science

Abstract

(1) MODERN thought undoubtedly suffers from the actual hostility between Nature and reason, which were once joined in the Hellenic ideal of science. The appeal for an effective and conscious union of these two fundamental elements of science is inspiringly illustrated in Prof. Cohen's work, which thus carries under its learned guise a constructive message to philosophers and men of science. Prof. Cohen believes neither in a conventional supernaturalism nor in a sentimental irrationalism, but he finds much inspiration in the older thinkers, and he is thus led to make this modest but useful, if not heroic, pronouncement: “The philosopher, whose primary interest is to attain as much truth as possible, must put aside as a snare the effort of originality. Indeed, it seems to me that the modern penchant for novelty in philosophy is symptomatic of restlessness or low intellectual vitality.” It is in this spirit of a true friend of wisdom that he surveys the general meaning of the principles of procedure according to which scientific results are obtained and according to which these results are being constantly revised.

(1) Reason and Nature: an Essay on the Meaning of Scientific Method.

By Morris R. Cohen. Pp. xxiv + 470. (London: Kegan Paul and Co., Ltd., 1931.) 21s. net.

(2) Science and First Principles.

By Prof. F. S. C. Northrop. Pp. xiv + 299. (Cambridge: At the University Press, 1931.) 12s. 6d. net.

(3) The Logic of Science.

By Prof. Harold R. Smart. Pp. viii + 237. (New York and London: D. Appleton and Co., 1931.) 8s. 6d. net.