The Trespass of the Sign

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Brian Cantwell Smith

On the Origin of Objects represents the final stage in Brian Cantwell Smith's decades-long investigation into the philosophical and metaphysical foundations of computation, artificial intelligence, and cognitive science. Based on a sustained critique of the formal tradition underlying reigning views, he argues for an embedded, participatory, "irreductionist," metaphysical alternative. Smith seeks nothing less than to revise our understanding not only of the machines we build but also of our world with which they interact.

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Donald R. Ferrell

Logos and Existence explores Paul Tillich's understanding of the nature of theology and philosophy and their relationship to each other. Tillich's claim that theology is existential thinking, whereas philosophy is detached, objective thinking is examined critically and concludes that this fundamental distinction between the two cognitive systems is, in the final analysis, unsustainable, given the classical foundation of Tillich's thought mediated by his deep immersion in the western ontological tradition from Plato to Hegel.

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Henri J. M. Nouwen

In three chapters the author formulates and answers a new and compelling question: Who am I as a living memory of God? The challenge to Christians is to become a living reminder of God. The way to meet this challenge is to seek a life in which personal prayer and service to others sustain and enrich one another. Addressed to all Christians who want to strenthen and deepen the meaning of their lives.

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Robert G. Muehlmann

This collection of fourteen interpretive essays on the philosophy of George Berkeley (1685-1753) focuses specifically on Berkeley's theory of the nature and variety of existing things. The collection is notable for containing the first four winners of the Turbayne International Berkeley Essay Prize (only the first of which has been previously published).