Mechanism in Thought and Morals

Mechanism in Thought and Morals is a philosophical treatise written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, an American jurist and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. In this book, Holmes explores the concept of determinism and its implications for human thought and morality. He argues that the mechanistic view of the universe, which sees all events as predetermined by physical laws, undermines the traditional notions of free will and moral responsibility. Holmes draws on a wide range of sources, including philosophy, science, and literature, to support his arguments. He examines the works of thinkers such as John Stuart Mill, Immanuel Kant, and Charles Darwin, as well as literary figures like Shakespeare and Goethe. Throughout the book, Holmes emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limits of human knowledge and understanding. He acknowledges the complexity of the universe and the limitations of human perception, and suggests that we must be humble in the face of these limitations. Overall, Mechanism in Thought and Morals is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of human thought and morality in the face of a mechanistic universe. It challenges readers to consider the implications of determinism for our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.1871. The present volume contains an address delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard University, June 29, 1870, with notes and afterthoughts. Mr. Holmes delivered this lecture meaning to stimulate rather than satiate the interest of the listeners and it was not meant to be a complete treatment of a narrowly limited subject.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.