The concept of process is often used but seldom discussed. In this book Dorothy Emmet looks at how a process differs from a series of events, facts or even just things changing. She claims causation is best seen in terms of processes, looks at the general characteristics of what it is to be a process, takes account of the special characteristics of organic and social processes, and why it is profitable to think of these as processes. Finally she suggests what might possibly be called "providential processes". The influence of an early interest in Whitehead is acknowledged and certain of his views are noted critically. This is not, however, an exegesis of Whitehead but an original metaphysics in which the passage of nature is seen through the activities, sometimes creative, of things and persons sustaining processes while at the same time some of them form a distinct kind of particular called a "thing-in-process".
- ISBN10 0333563433
- ISBN13 9780333563434
- Publish Date 19 June 1992 (first published 1 January 1992)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 14 September 1995
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Palgrave Macmillan
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 192
- Language English