Whitehead's Radically Temporalist Metaphysics: Recovering the Seriousness of Time

George Allan argues that Whitehead's introduction of God into his process metaphysics renders it incoherent. By eliminating this notion of God, Allan recovers a metaphysics that takes time seriously, emphasizing the power of finite entities to create, sustain, and enhance the dynamic world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In his book "Radically Temporalist Metaphysics: Recovering the Seriousness of Time," George Allan delves into the contentious realm of Whitehead's process metaphysics. Allan argues that Whitehead's inclusion of God in his metaphysical framework renders it incoherent. This concept of God, portrayed as the ultimate source of both stability and progressive change in the world, encompasses the infinite potential for novelty and the enduring storage of finite values. However, Allan challenges this notion by asserting that a reality supposedly composed solely of finite entities cannot accommodate an entity that is both infinite and everlasting. By eliminating this theological concept, Allan leverages the temporalist foundation of Whitehead's views to reclaim a metaphysics that takes time seriously.

Through his exploration of Whitehead's later writings, Allan demonstrates how this interpretation evolves into an expanded version of the radically temporalist hypothesis. He emphasizes the remarkable power of finite entities, both individually and collectively, to shape, sustain, and enhance the dynamic world that we are an integral part of. Allan's book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of metaphysics, challenging readers to reconsider the significance of time and the role of finite entities in shaping our existence.

Weight: 327g
Dimension: 230 x 153 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793620057