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The Future of Post-Human Knowledge: A preface to a new theory of methodology and ontology

Peter Baofu, Consultant

Chandos Information Professional Series

 - is written by a highly knowledgeable and well-respected scholar
 - a new theory called The Holistic Theory of Knowledge
 - a comprehensive analysis of knowledge in relation to methodology and ontology, from the perspectives of nature, the mind, society, and culture
 - a new methodology called ‘Sophisticated Methodological Holism’
 - a new ontology called ‘Existential Dialectics’

Why should inquiry be possible, only if some knowledge is required to guide it, as conventionally understood? Contrary to the conventional wisdom held by many thinkers in all human history hitherto existing, there are some fundamental dialectic principles hidden behind any categories of understanding in knowing. And these principles impose some constraints, at both methodological and ontological levels, together with other levels in culture, society, nature, and the mind - on how reality is to be understood. Furthermore, the specific categories of understanding (as conventionally understood), even if valid at all (which are often not the case), are often not that important, when compared with these more fundamental dialectic principles hidden behind them. The focus on understanding the nature of knowledge has been much misplaced, in this sense, in the intellectual history hitherto existing, and much time and talent have been wasted for something less important. If true, this thesis will alter the way of how knowledge is to be understood across the board.

Readership: This book can be used for reading, teaching, or research. It aims at readers in both academia and the general public, with high school or college education.

£42.50 / US$70.00 / €50.00

£62.50 / US$105.00 / €75.00

An e-book version of this title is available to purchase as part of a Collection or Pick n Mix. Visit Chandos Publishing Online

About the author

Dr Baofu is the author of 18 books (as of 2008) in numerous fields ranging from the social sciences through the humanities to the natural sciences. He earned an entry to the list of ‘prominent and emerging writers’ in Contemporary Authors (2005) and another honorary entry in The Writers Directory (2007). He was a U.S. Fulbright Scholar in the Far East. He had taught as a professor at different universities in Western Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia, and North America. He finished more than 5 academic degrees, including a Ph.D. from M.I.T., and was a summa cum laude graduate.

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Contents

Knowledge and the mind
 - Meno’s Paradox
 - Knowledge and Methodology
 - Methodology and Ontology
 - The Dilemma of Ontology
 - The Theoretical Debate
 - The Holistic Theory of Knowledge
 - Knowledge and Meta-Knowledge
 - The Logic of Existential Dialectics
 - Sophisticated Methodological Holism
 - Chapter Outline
 - Three Clarifications

Knowledge and the mind
 - The Creativeness of the Mind
 - Knowledge and Psychology
 - Knowledge and Biology
 - The Trickery of the Mind

Knowledge and nature
 - The Revelation of Nature
 - Knowledge and Chemistry
 - Knowledge and Physics
 - Knowledge and Cosmology
 - The Hiddenness of Nature

Knowledge and culture
 - The Conditioning of Culture
 - Knowledge and Morality
 - Knowledge and Aesthetics
 - Knowledge and Epistemology
 - Knowledge and Religion
 - The Bias of Culture

Knowledge and society
 - The Interests of Society
 - Knowledge and Social Organizations
 - Knowledge and Social Institutions
 - Knowledge and Social Structure
 - Knowledge and Social Systems
 - The Contingency of Society

Conclusion - the future of knowledge
 - The Role of Ontology
 - 1st Thesis: In Relation to Method
 - 2nd Thesis: In Relation to Structure
 - 3rd Thesis: In Relation to Process
 - 4th Thesis: In Relation to Agency
 - 5th Thesis: In Relation to Outcome
 - 6th Thesis: The Post-Human Intervention
 - The Limits of Knowledge