The Scientific Worldview

Borchardt presents the case for the scientific worldview of "univironmental determinism," a consideration of the microcosmic-macrocosmic interaction.

What determines events? Why do things happen the way they do? These are the questions the author seeks to answer. You are looking with only one eye, he cautions, if you concentrate on systems at the expense of the environment, or muddle with nature vs. nurture, mind vs. brain. It is the interplay between the microcosm (a specified portion of the universe) and the macrocosmic (everything outside the particular microcosm) that best explains the what, why and how of things. Borchardt is a scientist operating in the realm of determinism, most comfortable with knowledge based on experience. But he also appreciates that there are fundamental assumptions underlying our philosophies that are not fully testable, so choices must be made. Underlying the concept of "univironmental determinism" are materialism, causality, uncertainty, inseparability, conservation, complementarity, irreversibility, infinity, relativism and interconnection?ten interrelated assumptions that contrast with indeterminism, or effects without causes. Some of Borchardt's particulars are not as universal as he implies?for instance, "all our planning is motivated by the desire to minimize human effort"?but his expansive application of the scientific method, and the artful manner in which he situates narrowly focused work (such as genetics) within broader theories (such as univironmental evolution) is intriguing.

Dense, but a stimulating mix of philosophy and science.