Gary Herstein /// Quantum of Explanation w/ Matt Segall

In 'Adventures of Ideas,' Alfred North Whitehead delves into two main themes: the effect of certain ideas in promoting the slow drift of mankind towards civilization, and the author's own adventure in framing a speculative scheme of ideas to explain this historical process. The book is part of Whitehead's broader project to reestablish metaphysics, addressing challenges from sensationalist and positivist views. It discusses key concepts such as the subject-object relationship, the role of 'occasions of experience,' and the ideals of civilization including Truth, Beauty, Art, Adventure, and Peace.

This three-volume work provides a detailed account of the evolution of mathematical thought. Volume 1 covers the origins of mathematics in Babylon and Egypt, the development of geometry and trigonometry by the Greeks, and the role of mathematics in the medieval and early modern periods. Volume 2 focuses on calculus, the rise of analysis in the 19th century, and the number theories of Dedekind and Dirichlet. The concluding volume discusses the revival of projective geometry, the emergence of abstract algebra, the beginnings of topology, and the influence of Godel on recent mathematical study.

In this book, Whitehead redefines and clarifies the nature of scientific inquiry, challenging prevailing notions of matter and substance. He argues that nature is not simply a collection of natural objects but a complex system of interrelated processes and events. Whitehead discusses the role of perception in our understanding of nature and introduces key concepts such as sense-perception, thought, and the distinctions between homogeneous and heterogeneous thinking. The work is a major contribution to the philosophy of science and has significantly influenced process philosophy.