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Entropic Philosophy

Chaos, Breakdown, and Creation

Shannon M. Mussett

Now is a time of tremendous anxiety about the present and future state of the world. As the second law of thermodynamics states, entropy never decreases, time marches relentlessly forward, and closed systems inevitably break down. Entropy serves as a powerful metaphor capturing expressions of growing malaise and decline.

Entropic Philosophy: Chaos, Breakdown, and Creation builds on the meaning of entropy from the Greek entropia, signifying “a turning toward” or “transformation.” Developing a philosophy of entropy, this book draws variously from anthropology, psychoanalysis, literature, art, and the history of philosophy. This approach opens pathways for reverence and care that are crucial in preventing fear, existential inertia, and despair.

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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
Pages: 220 • Trim: 6¼ x 9
978-1-78661-246-5 • Hardback • January 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
978-1-5381-6518-8 • Paperback • August 2023 • $40.00 • (£30.00)
Series: Philosophical Projections
Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Critical Theory, Philosophy / Continental Philosophy, Philosophy / Political, Philosophy / Metaphysics
Shannon Mussett is Professor of Philosophy at Utah Valley University
  1. Acknowledgments

  1. Preface

  1. Introduction

  1. Chapter One: Entropy in Science and Metaphor

  1. Chapter Two: Entropy in Ancient Greek Thought

  1. Chapter Three: Entropy in German Philosophies of Nature

  1. Chapter Four: Leveling Modernity: Entropy in Freud and Lévi-Strauss

  1. Chapter Five: Old Age and Entropic Decline

  1. Chapter Six: Entropic Excess: Reconfiguring Matter and Waste

  1. Chapter Seven: Destruction and the Joy of Creation

  1. Conclusion

  1. Bibliography

  1. Author Bio

Mussett’s work is a striking display of erudition that provides a novel re-introduc­tion to and re-reading of the history of Western thought. It offers a profound and creative new approach to the exigency of our ethical responsibilities to one another and our world, inviting us to think how we might craft a new and more reverent way of being in the future. Profoundly important contribution to contemporary philosophy.


— Continental Philosophy Review


This beautiful book might be called Tristes Entropiques. Shannon Mussett explains how the conception of the law of entropy has disturbed our understanding of human endeavor. Instead of concluding that all is vanity, she finds bases for grace in Homer, Nietzsche, and Smithson.


— Andrew Cutrofello, Loyola University, Chicago


5/13/22, New Books Network Podcast: Shannon talked about the book in this episode.

Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-books-in-philosophy/id426208821?i=1000560993273



Entropic Philosophy

Chaos, Breakdown, and Creation

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
Summary
Summary
  • Now is a time of tremendous anxiety about the present and future state of the world. As the second law of thermodynamics states, entropy never decreases, time marches relentlessly forward, and closed systems inevitably break down. Entropy serves as a powerful metaphor capturing expressions of growing malaise and decline.

    Entropic Philosophy: Chaos, Breakdown, and Creation builds on the meaning of entropy from the Greek entropia, signifying “a turning toward” or “transformation.” Developing a philosophy of entropy, this book draws variously from anthropology, psychoanalysis, literature, art, and the history of philosophy. This approach opens pathways for reverence and care that are crucial in preventing fear, existential inertia, and despair.

Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
    Pages: 220 • Trim: 6¼ x 9
    978-1-78661-246-5 • Hardback • January 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
    978-1-5381-6518-8 • Paperback • August 2023 • $40.00 • (£30.00)
    Series: Philosophical Projections
    Subjects: Philosophy / Movements / Critical Theory, Philosophy / Continental Philosophy, Philosophy / Political, Philosophy / Metaphysics
Author
Author
  • Shannon Mussett is Professor of Philosophy at Utah Valley University
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
    1. Acknowledgments

    1. Preface

    1. Introduction

    1. Chapter One: Entropy in Science and Metaphor

    1. Chapter Two: Entropy in Ancient Greek Thought

    1. Chapter Three: Entropy in German Philosophies of Nature

    1. Chapter Four: Leveling Modernity: Entropy in Freud and Lévi-Strauss

    1. Chapter Five: Old Age and Entropic Decline

    1. Chapter Six: Entropic Excess: Reconfiguring Matter and Waste

    1. Chapter Seven: Destruction and the Joy of Creation

    1. Conclusion

    1. Bibliography

    1. Author Bio
Reviews
Reviews
  • Mussett’s work is a striking display of erudition that provides a novel re-introduc­tion to and re-reading of the history of Western thought. It offers a profound and creative new approach to the exigency of our ethical responsibilities to one another and our world, inviting us to think how we might craft a new and more reverent way of being in the future. Profoundly important contribution to contemporary philosophy.


    — Continental Philosophy Review


    This beautiful book might be called Tristes Entropiques. Shannon Mussett explains how the conception of the law of entropy has disturbed our understanding of human endeavor. Instead of concluding that all is vanity, she finds bases for grace in Homer, Nietzsche, and Smithson.


    — Andrew Cutrofello, Loyola University, Chicago


Features
Features
  • 5/13/22, New Books Network Podcast: Shannon talked about the book in this episode.

    Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-books-in-philosophy/id426208821?i=1000560993273



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