The Routledge Handbook of Idealism and Immaterialism
ISBN: 9781003202851
Platform/Publisher: Taylor & Francis / Routledge
Digital rights: Users: Unlimited; Printing: Unlimited; Download: Unlimited



The influence of materialist ontology largely dominates philosophical and scientific discussions. However, there is a resurgent interest in alternative ontologies from panpsychism (the view that at the base of reality exists potential minds, minds, or mind-lets) to idealism and dualism (the view that all of reality is material and mental).

The Routledge Handbook of Idealism and Immaterialism is an outstanding reference source and the first major collection of its kind. Historically grounded and constructively motivated, it covers the key topics in philosophy, science, and theology, providing students and scholars with a comprehensive introduction to idealism and immaterialism. Also addressed are post-materialism developments, with explicit attention to variations of idealism and immaterialism (the view that reality depends on a mind or a set of minds).

Comprising 44 chapters written by an international and interdisciplinary team of contributors, the Handbook is organised into five clear parts:

Idealism and the history of philosophy Important figures in idealism Systematic assessment of idealism Idealism and science Idealism, physicalism, panpsychism, and substance dualism

Essential reading for students and researchers in metaphysics, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, and philosophy of mind, The Routledge Handbook of Idealism and Immaterialism will also be of interest to those in related discplines where idealist and immaterialist ontology impinge on history, science, and theology.


Joshua Farris is a lecturer in philosophy and ethics at Auburn University of Montgomery, USA. He is also Director of Trinity School of Theology. Previously, he was the Chester and Margaret Paluch Professor at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary, USA, and Fellow at both The Creation Project and Heythrop College, University of London, UK.

Benedikt Paul Göcke is Professor of the philosophy of religion and philosophy of science at Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. He is also a research fellow at the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion and an associated member of the faculty of theology at University of Oxford, UK.

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