Changes

The world is not made up of vacuous substances or wholly self-contained atoms whose relationship to others is entirely external. Rather, argue process thinkers, all actually existing things (events) are internally related to other things. Life itself evolves through mutual influence. Reality is social, but individual events construct the particular factual character of social existence through moment by moment decisions in relationship with others. The process philosophical notion that all existence is interrelated corresponds well with quantum and relativity theories in physics. The interconnectedness of existence is supported by the observation made by physicists that observers of a particular phenomenon produce changes by merely observing the phenomenon.

The world is not made up of vacuous substances or wholly self-contained atoms whose relationship to others is entirely external. Rather, argue process thinkers, all actually existing things (events) are internally related to other things. Life itself evolves through mutual influence. Reality is social, but individual events construct the particular factual character of social existence through moment by moment decisions in relationship with others. The process philosophical notion that all existence is interrelated corresponds well with quantum and relativity theories in physics. The interconnectedness of existence is supported by the observation made by physicists that observers of a particular phenomenon produce changes by merely observing the phenomenon.

Comprehending what process thinkers reject may also be helpful when identifying this movement. Process thought rejects the notion that existence is fundamentally comprised of mechanistic, lifeless matter. Instead, process thinkers affirm that existence is organismic, enchanted, and interrelated. The organismic nature of process thought fits well with general evolutionary hypotheses pertaining to the gradual emergence of new and complex species through natural selection, randomness, and adaptation. Process thought affirms thatPage 701 | Top of Article the emergence of highly developed life forms typically entails genealogical connection and descent with modification.

Comprehending what process thinkers reject may also be helpful when identifying this movement. Process thought rejects the notion that existence is fundamentally comprised of mechanistic, lifeless matter. Instead, process thinkers affirm that existence is organismic, enchanted, and interrelated. The organismic nature of process thought fits well with general evolutionary hypotheses pertaining to the gradual emergence of new and complex species through natural selection, randomness, and adaptation. Process thought affirms that the emergence of highly developed life forms typically entails genealogical connection and descent with modification.

Process thought rejects the claim that creatures are entirely determined or predestined either by the laws of nature, their genes, the environment, or God. Instead, freedom, creativity, novelty, and individual purpose are affirmed because each event is partly self-creative as it responds to the influence of others. Process categories affirm both that individuals are partly self-organized and partly fashioned by others.

Process thought rejects the claim that creatures are entirely determined or predestined either by the laws of nature, their genes, the environment, or God. Instead, freedom, creativity, novelty, and individual purpose are affirmed because each event is partly self-creative as it responds to the influence of others. Process categories affirm both that individuals are partly self-organized and partly fashioned by others.