Metaphysics / Peter van Inwagen, University of Notre Dame.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Van Inwagen, Peter, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Metaphysics.

Physical Description:

x, 342 pages ; 23 cm

Edition:

Fourth edition.

Place of Publication:

Boulder, CO : Westview Press, [2015]

Summary:

With thoughtful and engaging prose, noted scholar Peter van Inwagen provides a comprehensive introduction to metaphysics in this essential text. Metaphysics covers the gamut of historical and contemporary arguments of metaphysics, engaging readers through three profound questions: What are the most general features of the world? Why is there a world? And, what is the place of human beings in the world? The thoroughly revised fourth edition includes an updated and rewritten chapter on temporality and significant improvements to the clarity and accessibility of the language, making it an even more valuable text for undergraduate students. Metaphysics remains the quintessential book in this field of study and a fascinating book for a wide range of readers, from those new to the subject to the most sophisticated philosophers. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

Part 1 The Way the World Is 23

2 Individuality 27

3 Externality 53

4 Temporality 71

5 Objectivity 107

Part 2 Why the World Is 123

6 Necessary Being: The Ontological Argument 129

7 Necessary Being: The Cosmological Argument 159

Part 3 The Inhabitants of the World 183

8 What Rational Beings Are There? 189

9 The Place of Rational Beings in the World: Design and Purpose 201

10 The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Physicalism 223

11 The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Personal Identity 249

12 The Powers of Rational Beings: Freedom of the Will 267

13 Concluding Meditation 287.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780813349343

0813349346

OCLC:

878224551