Holism and Evolution

By Jan Christiaan Smuts

Book Overview

"Holism and Evolution" is a groundbreaking philosophical and scientific treatise that introduces the concept of holism to the modern world. Written by JC Smuts, this influential work explores the fundamental tendency in nature to create "wholes" that are greater than the sum of their parts. Smuts challenges the purely mechanistic view of the universe, proposing instead that evolution is a creative process driven by the synthesis of individual elements into more complex, organized entities.

The book bridges the gap between biology and metaphysics, examining how the concept of the whole applies to everything from physical matter and biological organisms to the human mind and personality. Through a rigorous analysis of evolutionary theory and scientific principles, Smuts posits that holism is the ultimate principle behind the universe's structure and development. This work remains a foundational text for those interested in systems theory, ecology, and the intersection of science and philosophy. "Holism and Evolution" offers a profound perspective on the interconnectedness of all things and continues to influence contemporary thought on complexity and the nature of life.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

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• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025420063
• ISBN13: 9781025420066
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 380 Pages
• Weight: 1.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 0.9" x 6.1"