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Intelligibility of Nature
A William A. Wallace Reader
Edited by John P. Hittinger, Michael W. Tkacz and Daniel Wagner
Imprint: Catholic University of America Press
The intelligibility of nature was a persistent theme of William A. Wallace, OP, one of the most prolific Catholic scholars of the late twentieth century. This Reader aims to make available a representative selection of his work in the history of science, natural philosophy, and theology illustrating his defense and development of this central theme. Wallace is among the most important Galileo scholars of the past fifty years and a key figure in the recent revival of scientific realism. Further, his long and productive scholarly career has been shaped by a continuous effort to bring the resources of the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition to the solution of contemporary problems of philosophy and science. Through all of these contributions, Wallace has provided the foundation for a renewed confidence in the capacity of human knowers to attain understanding of the natural order. Consequently, the overall aim of this volume is to secure continued access to his scholarship for readers in the new millennium.
Intelligibility of Nature will contain twenty-nine previously published essays written by Wallace over a period of some forty years. Many of these essays are currently not readily accessible. They are arranged in five thematic groups, each representing a major subject-area of Wallace's scholarly interests. The first group is devoted to essays on making nature intelligible through the use of scientific models. The second group of essays investigates various ways in which the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition is foundational to contemporary scientific research. Essays in the third group are historical studies on the origins of modern science. The fourth group of essays discuss the viability of the cosmological argument for the existence of God in light of natural science. The final group of essays consider the relation of science and religion. Together these essays provide a representative sample of Wallace's multifaceted contributions to scholarship.
William A. Wallace, OP, (1918-2015) was professor of philosophy at The Catholic University of America and author of 16 books, including The Modeling of Nature (CUA Press, 1996) and over 300 scholarly articles. John P. Hittinger is professor of philosophy at the University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX. Michael W. Tkacz is professor of philosophy at Gonzaga University. Daniel C. Wagner is assistant professor of philosophy at Aquinas College.
" Intelligibility of Nature will make an excellent and needed supplement to some of Wallace's own volumes, making available some very important essays...will be very useful to philosophers, scholars, graduate students, undergraduates, and general readers."
~Steven Baldner, St. Francis Xavier University
" Intelligibility of Nature will be extremely useful for scholars looking to employ Wallace’s thought and works. The editors have been judicious in deciding what works to include. Will be invaluable to anyone interested in the relationship between philosophy and science, and will certainly be valuable as a resource for college and graduate level courses."
~Michael J. Dodds, author of Unlocking Divine Action: Thomas Aquinas and Contemporary Theology