Through Nature to God
by OpenStories
Original author: John Fiske
"Through Nature to God" by John Fiske is a philosophical work written in the late 19th century. The book explores the interplay between natural processes, human morality, and religious belief, articulating a framework that leads the reader from an understanding of nature towards the divine. Fiske's arguments delve into the themes of evolution, the origins of moral ideas, and the significance of religion, presenting a narrative that seeks to align scientific understanding with spiritual insights. At the start of the book, Fiske introduces the central theme of the mystery of evil, using biblical references to frame the discussion. He reflects on the human experience of sin and the philosophical dilemmas posed by the existence of evil in a world created by a benevolent God. Fiske raises questions about the purpose of suffering and how it contributes to moral development, arguing that a comprehension of good and evil is essential for humanity's progress towards higher moral states. This opening sets the stage for a deeper examination of the cosmic process and its ethical implications, ultimately positing that the evolution of moral consciousness is inherently linked to our understanding of the divine.
Through Nature to God, by John Fiske. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #34716.
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33 Chapters
- 1.Preface1,559 words
- 2.Chapter I: The Serpent's Promise to the Woman856 words
- 3.Chapter II: The Pilgrim's Burden947 words
- 4.Chapter III: ManichŠism and Calvinism1,247 words
- 5.Chapter IV: The Dramatic Unity of Nature756 words
- 6.Chapter V: What Conscious Life is made of1,063 words
- 7.Chapter VI869 words
- 8.Chapter VII: A Word of Caution490 words
- 9.Chapter VIII: The Hermit and the Angel707 words
- 10.Chapter IX: Man's Rise from the Innocence of Brutehood925 words
- 11.Chapter X: The Relativity of Evil469 words
- 12.Chapter I: The Summer Field, and what it tells us915 words
- 13.Chapter II: Seeming Wastefulness of the Cosmic Process1,012 words
- 14.Chapter III: Caliban's Philosophy200 words
- 15.Chapter IV: Can it be that the Cosmic Process has no Relation to Moral Ends?863 words
- 16.Chapter V: First Stages in the Genesis of Man842 words
- 17.Chapter VI: The Central Fact in the Genesis of Man281 words
- 18.Chapter VII: The Chief Cause of Man's lengthened Infancy1,108 words
- 19.Chapter VIII: Some of its Effects847 words
- 20.Chapter IX: Origin of Moral Ideas and Sentiments1,076 words
- 21.Chapter X: The Cosmic Process exists purely for the Sake of Moral Ends1,177 words
- 22.Chapter XI: Maternity and the Evolution of Altruism1,459 words
- 23.Chapter XII: The Omnipresent Ethical Trend641 words
- 24.Chapter I: "Deo erexit Voltaire"2,160 words
- 25.Chapter II: The Reign of Law, and the Greek Idea of God721 words
- 26.Chapter III: Weakness of Materialism1,786 words
- 27.Chapter IV: Religion's First Postulate: the Quasi-Human God764 words
- 28.Chapter V: Religions Second Postulate: the undying Human Soul449 words
- 29.Chapter VI396 words
- 30.Chapter VII: Is the Substance of Religion a Phantom, or an Eternal Reality?333 words
- 31.Chapter VIII: The Fundamental Aspect of Life768 words
- 32.Chapter IX: How the Evolution of Senses expands the World577 words
- 33.Chapter X: Nature's Eternal Lesson is the Everlasting Reality of Religion2,708 words