Since the Enlightenment, Jews have sought to understand Judaism as a modern religion in an intellectual context equivalent to Christianity. This shifted the focus of attention away from the ritual commandments to a concern with the universal foundations of the faith. Platforms and Prayer Books analyzes the impact of that shift, presenting new approaches as well as innovative arguments. The essays in this collection express the inherent difficulty of reconciling theory with practice in a liberal religious framework. In addition, they also demonstrate the surprising vitality of a movement that many expected to decline demographically as well as intellectually. Not only is the Reform movement actually increasing in numbers, but, as this book demonstrates, it is also showing an amazing breadth of creativity. Through lively discussions, noted scholars and rabbis trace the evolution of Reform Judaism through discussions on theological and liturgical topics that are grounded in the platforms and prayer books that chart the movement's developments through its 200-year history. Contributors with perspectives from both within and outside of Reform Judaism evaluate trends and interpret changes that have taken and are taking place, exploring the historical context and contemporary significance of Reform Jewish belief.

The monograph examines the evolution of microorganisms and the importance of symbiosis as a mechanism of evolution. Initial chapters discuss serial endosymbiosis theory, diversity, and cell evolution in perspective. The period from prebiotic times through the development of symbiosis is examined in chapters about the Earth before cells, evolution before oxygen, atmospheric oxygen from photosynthesis, and symbiogenesis. Symbiotic evolution is examined in chapters about nuclei, mitosis, and undulipodia; undulipodia from spirochetes; mitochondria; and plastids. The work is summarized with a look at consequences of these theories in the Phanerozoic era.

A collection of essays covering a variety of scientific topics including the nature of technology to the human body, evolution, and ecology.

The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change is about the core of population genetics — the nature of genetic variation and changes in genetic variation. Topics covered include the nature of variation, the measurement of variation, multilocus dynamics and speciation. Particular attention is paid to methodological questions and to making clear the limitations of the models used. Although many of the details have been outdated by the advances of the last twenty years, particularly in molecular genetics, this is a classic of the field, and probably still required reading for population geneticists. -- Danny Yee

"Stimulated by Darwin's relatively uninformed but obviously intelligent questions, Dover takes the father of evolution on an exhilarating roller-coaster ride through recent genetic discoveries. In recounting stories from the treasure trove of modern biology, Dover exposes the naively deterministic view of selfish genes and their supposed lonely pursuits of self-replication and self-immortalization. He reveals a world of evolution far more intricate and subtle than can be expected from the notion of natural selection acting alone - a world in which genes are born to cooperate, as a consequences of newly discovered genetic processes."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Traces the history of Western attitudes towards revenge and justice, looks at sexual revenge, capital punishment, and the U.S. criminal justice system, and considers the portrayal of revenge in popular novels and movies

"A series of public lectures on nationalism arranged by the History of Ideas Unit in the Research School of Social Sciences of the Australian National University."

The role of genetic inheritance dominates current evolutionary theory. At the end of the nineteenth century, however, several evolutionary theorists independently speculated that learned behaviors could also affect the direction and rate of evolutionary change. This notion was called the Baldwin effect, after the psychologist James Mark Baldwin. In recent years, philosophers and theorists of a variety of ontological and epistemological backgrounds have begun to employ the Baldwin effect in their accounts of the evolutionary emergence of mind and of how mind, through behavior, might affect evolution. The essays in this book discuss the originally proposed Baldwin effect, how it was modified over time, and its possible contribution to contemporary empirical and theoretical evolutionary studies. The topics include the effect of the modern evolutionary synthesis on the notion of the Baldwin effect, the nature and role of niche construction in contemporary evolutionary theory, the Baldwin effect in the context of developmental systems theory, the possible role of the Baldwin effect in computational cognitive science biosemiotics, and the emergence of consciousness and language.

Race/Sex is the first forum for combined discussion of racial theory and gender theory. In sixteen articles, avant-garde scholars of African American philosophy and liberatory criticism explore and explode the categories of race, sex and gender into new trajectories that include sexuality, black masculinity and mixed-race identity.

First published in 1993. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

A Kabbalistic Universe is about how and why Existence came into being. It sets out the general scheme of the four Worlds of Emanation, Creation, Formation and Action and heir various archangelic, angelic, demonic and organic inhabitants. Drawing upon ancient, medieval and modern material this book brings the Kabbalistic tradition up to date so that the current generation can perceive what Existence is about and how they might play a conscious part in humanity's role of aiding God to behold God in the Mirror of Existence. This is a revised edition with additional graphics. These make the Divine principles involved more comprehensible. Once the terms and metaphysics are mastered, then new perceptions are possible regarding not only the structure and dynamics of Existence but also the workings of the angelics and demonics, Nature and the process of human evolution and its purpose.

The Buddha said that everything we need to know about life can be found inside this fathom long body. In this text, readers can gain a deeper understanding and acceptance of their physiological nature and its important role in their spiritual evolution.

"Originally published in 1959, The Faith of a Heretic is the most personal statement of the beliefs of Nietzsche biographer and translator Walter Kaufmann. A first-rate philosopher in his own right, Kaufmann here provides the fullest account of his views on religion. Although he considered himself a heretic, he was not immune to the wellsprings and impulses from which religion originates, declaring it among the most vital and radical expressions of the human mind. Beginning with an autobiographical prologue that traces his evolution from religious believer to "heretic," the book touches on theology, organized religion, morality, suffering, and death--all examined from the perspective of a "quest for honesty." Kaufmann also subjects philosophy's faith in truth, reason, and absolute morality to the same heretical treatment. The resulting exploration of the faiths of a nonbeliever in a secular age is as fresh and challenging as when it was first published"--Page [4] of cover.

Anthropology is a kind of debate between human possi- bilities--a dialectical movement between the anthropologist as a modern man and the primitive peoples he studies. This brilliant, tough-minded book contains chapters ranging from encounters in the field to essays on the nature of law, schizophrenia and civilization, and the evolution of the work of Claude Lvi-Strauss. Diamond views the anthropologist who refuses to become a searching critic of his own civilization as not merely irresponsible, but a tool of Western civilization.

This volume, first published in English in 1987 makes available an important part of Weil’s early writings. Although primarily known as a religious thinker, she devoted enormous energy in her formative years to her work as a political activist and as a philosopher/teacher. This book reveals these other sides of Weil and demonstrates the lines of continuity underlying her whole thought. Written between 1929 and 1941 the book covers a crucial and transitional period in Weil’s life. Taken together they represent invaluable primary source material on the evolution of Weil’s life and on her chosen method of abstracting elements from her personal experience and transmuting that experience into considered thought. Even when highly theoretical, her writing was always concerned with the application of her intelligence to concrete problems of human existence.

"This book examines a variety of arguments that might be thought to support skepticism about the existence of morality, and it explains how these arguments can be answered by those who believe in objective moral truths. The focus throughout is on discussing questions that frequently trouble thoughtful and reflective individuals, including questions like the following: Does the prevalence of moral disagreement make it reasonable to conclude that there aren't really any moral facts at all? Is morality simply relative to particular societies and times? What could objective moral facts possibly be like? If there were moral facts, how could we ever come to know anything about them? Shouldn't belief in the theory of evolution undermine our confidence that our moral intuitions reliably reveal moral truths? Would moral facts ever actually explain anything at all? Can morality really have the motivating and rational force we normally take it to have? How can one possibly find a place for objective moral values in a scientific worldview? The book explores plausible answers to questions like these and it thus aims to show why the belief in objective morality remains an intellectually reasonable one"--

Rumi's Untold Story is written from 30-year research by award-winning Rumi translator, scholar and author Shahram Shiva. It provides a clear record of highlights of Rumi's life and clarifies certain aspects of his very colorful history which have been kept secret from public until now. It covers Rumi's unconventional relationship with his mentor Shams and Sham's controversial and doomed marriage to Rumi's daughter Kimia. TOPICS:1. Preface2. About Rumi3. The Growing Phenomenon of Rumi4. Why Rumi? Here are 12 Reasons5. Rumi & Shams: A Love Story, Tragedy or Personal Necessity? The Untold Story6. Who was Kimia Khatun? (Kimya, Khatoon, Khatoun) 7. The Collective Poems of Shams or Rumi?8. What Really Went On Between Rumi and Shams in those Precious Several Months?9. Rumi, Hafez, Omar Khayyam and Global Artistic Perspective10. Rumi, a Pop Star Celebrity at the Time?11. Is Rumi the Inspiration for Today's Love Songs?12. Was Rumi a Sufi?13. A Rumi for All Seasons14. Rumi was Gloriously Blasphemous15. Rumi Belongs to the Whole World and Cannot Be Marginalized16. The Famed Whirling Dervishes of Turkey do not Represent Rumi, they Epitomize his Son17. Why the Academia Will Never Come Close to Understanding Rumi and Other Mystic Poets and Writers18. Rumi's Untold Story - Conclusion19. Selection of Rumi Poems with Original Persian20. Shahram Shiva's Unique & Proven 4-Step Method to Whirling21. How to Manifest Your Vision22. Understanding Mystic or Yogic Dreams23. Soul Evolution Principal: The Four Stages24. Personal Gratitude25. References26. About Shahram Shiva