Metaphysics : the basics / Michael Rea.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rea, Michael C. (Michael Cannon), 1968- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Metaphysics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (253 pages)

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York, New York : Routledge, [2021]

Summary:

"Metaphysics: The Basics is a concise and engaging introduction to the philosophical study of some of the most important and foundational aspects of the world in which we live. Concerned with questions about existence, time, identity, change, and other basic elements of our common-sense and scientific ways of thinking about the world, metaphysics has long fascinated people. But to the uninitiated, many of the issues and problems can appear bewilderingly complex and intractable. In this lively and lucid book, Michael Rea examines and explains the core questions in the study of metaphysics such as:

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Series Information

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Table of contents

Preface to the first edition

Preface to the second edition

1 Introduction

Being as such

Ultimate reality

The fundamental level

The final characterization

Further reading

2 Things that don't exist

Preliminaries

Nonexistent objects

Creatures of fiction

3 Abstract objects

Propositions

States of affairs

Properties

4 Possible worlds

Modality

The utility of possible worlds

Concrete possible worlds

Abstract possible worlds

5 Time

Times

Past, present, and future

Temporal passage

6 Time travel

Presentism and time travel

The grandfather paradox

Backward causation and causal loops

7 Substance

Bundles versus substrata

Hylomorphism

God

8 Things and their parts

Composition

Material constitution

The Ship of Theseus

Body-minus

Lumpl/Goliath

Option 1: Deny the existence of objects belonging to the kinds that are central to the puzzle

Option 2: Deny the problematic modal properties

Option 3: Deny that identity is necessary

Option 4: Deny the assumption that if x and y share all of the same material parts, then x is identical to y

9 Change and identity

Parmenides on change

The problem of temporary intrinsics

Solution 1: Time-indexed properties

Solution 2: Time-indexed property-having

Solution 3: Temporal parts

Personal identity

10 Freedom

Terms and distinctions

The determination problem

The fatalism problem

11 Social metaphysics-gender

Sex, gender, and types of kinds

Mind dependence

Gender

Further reading.

12 Metaphysics and its critics

Against metaphysics

In defense of metaphysics

Conclusion

Glossary

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

0-429-02744-3

0-429-64855-3

9780429027444

OCLC:

1184123072