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Nicholas Maxwell

{{Short description|British philosopher (1937–2025)}}

{{Resume-like|date=September 2021}}

{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}

Nicholas Maxwell (3 July 1937{{cite news

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| newspaper = The Guardian

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| date = 3 July 2014

}} – 11 January 2025) was a British philosopher.

Maxwell taught philosophy of science at University College London, where he later was an Emeritus Reader. In 2003 he founded Friends of Wisdom.[http://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom Knowledge to Wisdom] He has published fifteen books.See [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/view/people/ANMAX22.date.html UCL Discovery] He has published over eighty papers in scientific and philosophical journals on problems that range from consciousness,Maxwell, N., 1968, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348842/ Understanding Sensations], Aust. J. Phil., vol. 46, pp. 127–145; 2000, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105653/ The Mind-Body Problem and Explanatory Dualism], philosophy, vol. 75, pp. 49–71; 2011, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1329613/ Three philosophical problems about consciousness and their possible resolution], Open J. Philosophy, vol. 1, pp. 1–10. free will,Maxwell, N., 2001, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105659/ The Human World in the Physical Universe], Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham, ch. 7; 2010, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105672/ Cutting God in Half – and Putting the Pieces Together Again: A New Approach to Philosophy], Pentire Press, London, ch. 8. value,Maxwell, N., 1999, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105657/ Are There Objective Values?], The Dalhousie Review, vol. 79, pp. 301–317. and artMaxwell, N., 2003, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105664/ Art as its Own Interpretation], in Ritivoi, AD, (ed.) Interpretation and its Objects: Studies in the Philosophy of Michael Krausz, Rodopi, Amsterdam, pp. 269–283. to the rationality of science,Maxwell, N., 1972, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348843/ A Critique of Popper's Views on Scientific Method], Phil. Sci., vol. 39, pp. 131–152; 1974, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348844/ The Rationality of Scientific Discovery, Part I], Phil. Sci., vol. 41, pp. 123–153; 1974, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348845/ The Rationality of Scientific Discovery, Part II], Phil. Sci., vol. 41, pp. 247–295; 2002, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105641/ The Need for a Revolution in the Philosophy of Science], J. Gen. Phil. Sci., vol. 33, pp. 381–408; 2005, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105631/ Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos, and Aim-Oriented Empiricism], Philosophia, vol. 32, pp. 181–239; 2006, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105629/ Practical Certainty and Cosmological Conjectures], in Rahnfeld, M, ed., Gibt es sicheres Wissen?: aktuelle Beiträge zur Erkenntnistheorie, Leipziger Universitätsverlag, Leipzig, pp. 44–59. simplicity,Maxwell, N., 1998, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105663/ The Comprehensibility of the Universe], Clarendon Press, Oxford, chs. 3 and 4; 2004, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105636/ Is Science Neurotic?], Imperial College Press, London, pp. 160–174; 2004, [http://philpapers.org/rec/MAXNRS Non-empirical requirements scientific theories must satisfy: simplicity, unification, explanation, beauty], PhilSci Archive. scientific realism,Maxwell, N., 1968, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348841/ Can There be Necessary Connections Between Successive Events?], BJPS, vol. 19, pp. 1–25; 1993, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348968/ Does Orthodox Quantum Theory Undermine, or Support, Scientific Realism?], Phil. Quarterly, vol. 43, pp. 139–157; 1993, [http://philpapers.org/rec/MAXIAS-2 Induction and scientific realism: Einstein versus van Fraassen. Part two: aim-oriented empiricism and scientific essentialism], BJPS, vol. 44, pp. 81–101. explanation,Maxwell, N., 1998, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105663/ The Comprehensibility of the Universe]; 2013, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1369638/ Has science established that the cosmos is physically comprehensible?], in Travena, A and Soen, B, eds., Recent Advances in Cosmology, Nova Science Publishers Inc., New York. timeMaxwell, N., [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105634/ Special Relativity, Time, Probabilism and Ultimate Reality], in Dieks, D, ed., Philosophy and the Foundations of Physics: The Ontology of Spacetime, Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 229–245. and quantum theory.Maxwell, N., 1972, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348846/ A New Look at the Quantum Mechanical Problem of Measurement], Am. J. Phys., vol. 40, pp.1431–1435; 1976, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348868/ Towards a Micro Realistic Version of Quantum Mechanics, Part I], Found. Phys., Vol. 6, pp. 275–292; 1976, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348869/ Towards a Micro Realistic Version of Quantum Mechanics, Part II]; 1988, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348969/ Quantum propensiton theory: a testable resolution of the wave/particle dilemma], BJPS, vol. 39, pp. 1–50; 1994, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1344162/ Particle creation as the quantum condition for probabilistic events to occur], Phys. Lett. A, vol. 187, pp. 351–355; 2011, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1329855/ Is the quantum world composed of propensitons?], in Suárez, M, ed., Probabilities, causes and propensities in physics, Springer Verlag, Dordrecht, pp. 221–243. Maxwell died in January 2025, at the age of 87.{{cite web |title=Nicholas Maxwell |url=https://nicholasmaxwell.muchloved.com |website=Much Loved |access-date=22 March 2025}}

Philosophical contribution

Maxwell's work has been devoted to tackling two fundamental interlinked problems:-

Problem 1: How can we understand our human world, embedded as it is within the physical universe, in such a way that justice is done both to the richness, meaning and value of human life on the one hand, and to what modern science tells us about the physical universe on the other hand?

Problem 2: What ought to be the overall aims and methods of science, and of academic inquiry more generally, granted that the basic task is to help humanity achieve what is of value – a more civilised world – by cooperatively rational means (it being assumed that knowledge and understanding can be of value in themselves and form a part of civilised life)?

In connection with Problem 1, Maxwell has put forward a version of the double-aspect theory, according to which experiential and physical features of things both exist.Maxwell, N., 1966, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1348840/ Physics and Common Sense], BJPS, vol. 16, pp. 295–311; 2001, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105659/ The Human World in the Physical Universe: Consciousness, Free Will and Evolution], Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham, USA; 2009, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/15607/ How Can Life of Value Best Flourish in the Real World?], in Science and the Pursuit of Wisdom, ed. L. McHenry, pp. 38–57; 2010, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105672/ Cutting God In Half – And Putting the Pieces Together Again: A New Approach to Philosophy], Pentire Press, London.

In connection with Problem 2, Maxwell argues that the problematic aims of science, and of academic inquiry more generally, need much more honest and critical attention than they have received so far.Maxwell, N., 1984, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1345295/ From Knowledge to Wisdom], Blackwell, Oxford (2nd ed., 2007, Pentire Press, London); 2004, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/105660/ Is Science Neurotic?], Imperial College Press, London; 2007, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/16142/ From Knowledge to Wisdom: The Need for an Academic Revolution], London Review of Education, vol. 5, pp. 97–115; 2014, [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1401339/ How Universities Can Help Create a Wiser World: The Urgent Need for an Academic Revolution], Imprint Academic, Exeter, UK.

Criticism

Maxwell's books have been widely reviewed.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom/reviews|title = Reviews|date = 21 February 2019}} His work is discussed by twelve scholars in Science and the Pursuit of Wisdom, edited by Leemon McHenry.

David Miller and Maxwell had a short exchange about Aim Oriented Empiricism, which was the central thesis of Maxwell's The Comprehensibility of The Universe.Maxwell, N. 1998, The Comprehensibility of the Universe: A New Conception of Science, Oxford University Press, Oxford.Miller, D. Out of Error

Aldershot & Burlington VT: Ashgate 2006, Chapter 4.3,{{Cite web|url=http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/3092/|title = Aim-Oriented Empiricism: David Miller's Critique|date = December 2006}}{{Cite web |url=http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/people/associates/miller/ooe2.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=23 April 2014 |archive-date=25 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025133708/http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/people/associates/miller/ooe2.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Publications

  • 1976, What’s Wrong With Science?, Bran's Head Books, Hayes, Middlesex.
  • 1984, From Knowledge to Wisdom: A Revolution in the Aims and Methods of Science, Basil Blackwell, Oxford.
  • 1998, [https://www.amazon.com/Comprehensibility-Universe-New-Conception-Science/dp/0198237766 The Comprehensibility of the Universe: A New Conception of Science], Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • 2001, [https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780742512269/The-Human-World-in-the-Physical-Universe-Consciousness-Free-Will-and-Evolution The Human World in the Physical Universe: Consciousness, Free Will and Evolution], Rowman and Littlefield, Lanham.
  • 2004, [http://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/p362 Is Science Neurotic?], Imperial College Press, London.
  • 2007, [http://www.pentirepress.plus.com/#wisdom From Knowledge to Wisdom: A Revolution for Science and the Humanities], 2nd edition, revised and enlarged, Pentire Press, London.
  • 2008, ed., with R. Barnett, Wisdom in the University, Routledge, London.
  • 2009, [http://www.pentirepress.plus.com/#what What's Wrong With Science?], 2nd edition, revised with new preface, Pentire Press, London.
  • 2009, L. McHenry, ed., Science and the Pursuit of Wisdom: Studies in the Philosophy of Nicholas Maxwell, Ontos Verlag, Frankfurt.
  • 2010, [http://www.pentirepress.plus.com/#cutting Cutting God in Half – And Putting the Pieces Together Again: A New Approach to Philosophy], Pentire Press, London.
  • 2014, [http://books.imprint.co.uk/book/?gcoi=71157108835290 How Universities Can Help Create a Wiser World: The Urgent Need for an Academic Revolution], Imprint Academic, Exeter.
  • 2014, [http://books.imprint.co.uk/book/?gcoi=71157100609780 Global Philosophy: What Philosophy Ought to Be], Imprint Academic, Exeter.
  • 2016, [https://roundedglobe.com/books/b88f518b-0c39-4910-ab25-11d5dd2fa601/Two%20Great%20Problems%20of%20Learning:%20Science%20and%20Civilization/ Two Great Problems of Learning: Science and Civilization], Rounded Globe. Free online.
  • 2017, [http://www.mqup.ca/in-praise-of-natural-philosophy-products-9780773549036.php In Praise of Natural Philosophy: A Revolution for Thought and Life] McGill-Queen's University Press, Montreal
  • 2017, [http://www.paragonhouse.com/xcart/Understanding-Scientific-Progress-Aim-Oriented-Empiricism.html Understanding Scientific Progress: Aim-Oriented Empiricism], Paragon House, St. Paul, MN.
  • 2017, [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ucl-press/browse-books/karl-popper-science-and-enlightenment Karl Popper, Science and Englightenment], UCL Press, London. [open access book, free to download]
  • 2019, [https://www.springer.com/gb/book/9783030134198 Science and Enlightenment: Two Great Problems of Learning], Springer, Cham, Switzerland.
  • 2019, [https://www.springer.com/gb/book/9783030041427 The Metaphysics of Science and Aim-Oriented Empiricism: A Revolution for Science and Philosophy], Springer, Cham, Switzerland.
  • 2020, [https://www.mqup.ca/our-fundamental-problem-products-9780228001522.php Our Fundamental Problem: A Revolutionary Approach to Philosophy], McGill-Queen's University Press, Canada.
  • 2021, [https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscibooks/10.1142/12218 The World Crisis — And What to Do About It: A Revolution for Thought and Action], World Scientific, Singapore.

Notes

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External links

  • [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom Nicholas Maxwell’s website]
  • [http://www.knowledgetowisdom.org The website of Friends of Wisdom]
  • [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1344128/ Intellectual autobiography]
  • [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/15607/ Outline of contributions to philosophy: How Can Life of Value Best Flourish in the Real World?]
  • [http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/view/people/ANMAX22.date.html Publications available online at UCL Discovery]
  • [http://philpapers.org/profile/17092 Publications available at PhilPapers]
  • [http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/cgi/search/advanced?exp=0|1|-date/creators_name/title|archive|-|creators_name:creators_name:ANY:IN:maxwell|-|eprint_status:eprint_status:ALL:EQ:archive|metadata_visibility:metadata_visibility:ALL:EX:show&_action_search=1&screen=Public::EPrintSearch&cache=5005031&search_offset=0 Papers available at PhilSciArchive]
  • [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom/reviews Reviews of Books by Nicholas Maxwell]
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dak-tDMSBUY TEDxUCL talk: The Urgent Need to Bring About a Revolution in Academia]
  • [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom/reviews/#goodness Review in Nature of From Knowledge to Wisdom]
  • [http://www.ucl.ac.uk/from-knowledge-to-wisdom/videos-broadcasts Videos and broadcasts by Nicholas Maxwell]
  • [http://www.worldscibooks.com/popsci/p362.html Details about Is Science Neurotic?]
  • [http://www.cbc.ca/ideas/features/science/#episode24 Interview on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]

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Category:1937 births

Category:2025 deaths

Category:Academics of University College London

Category:British philosophers of science