
The Bounds of Possibility
Puzzles of Modal Variation
Oxford University Press
Published on 7. March 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
448 pages
978-0-19-891077-0 (ISBN)
Description
In general, a given object could have been different in certain respects. For example, the Great Pyramid could have been somewhat shorter or taller; the Mona Lisa could have had a somewhat different pattern of colours; an ordinary table could have been made of a somewhat different quantity of wood. But there seem to be limits. It would be odd to suppose that the Great Pyramid could have been thimble-sized; that the Mona Lisa could have had the pattern of colours that actually characterizes The Scream; or that the table could have been made of the very quantity of wood that in fact made some other table. However, there are puzzling arguments that purport to show that so long as an object is capable of being somewhat different in some respect, it is capable of being radically different in that respect. These arguments rely on two tempting thoughts: first, that an object's capacity for moderate variation is a non-contingent matter, and second, that what is possibly possible is simply possible. The Bounds of Possibility systematically investigates competing strategies for resolving these puzzles, and defends one of them. Along the way it engages with foundational questions about the metaphysics of modality.
Reviews / Votes
Review from previous edition the book engages with a broad range of issues in metaphysics, as well as touching on issues in logic, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. . . . For any philosopher with a special interest in tolerance puzzles or the interpretation of de re modality, the book should be required reading. * Phillip Bricker, Journal of Philosophy * a formidable achievement, exemplifying contemporary metaphysics at its best * Timothy Williamson, Analysis *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
684 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-891077-0 (9780198910770)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Cian Dorr studied at University College, Cork and Princeton University. He is currently Professor of Philosophy at New York University, and has previously held positions at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Oxford.
John Hawthorne is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California and at the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University. He was previously Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at the University of Oxford.
Juhani Yli-Vakkuri is Senior Research Fellow at the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic Unieversity. He was previously Professor of Philosophy of Language at the University of Tartu.
John Hawthorne is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California and at the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University. He was previously Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at the University of Oxford.
Juhani Yli-Vakkuri is Senior Research Fellow at the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic Unieversity. He was previously Professor of Philosophy of Language at the University of Tartu.
Author
Professor of PhilosophyProfessor of Philosophy, New York University
Professor of PhilosophyProfessor of Philosophy, University of Southern California
Senior Research FellowSenior Research Fellow, Dianoia Institute of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University
Content
Introduction
1: Logical Tools
2: Tolerance Puzzles
3: Motivating Non-Contingency
4: Coincidence Puzzles
5: Accepting Hypertolerance
6: Hypertolerance and Supervenience
7: Rejecting Iteration
8: Iteration for Metaphysical Necessity
9: Tolerance and Chance
10: Tolerance and Counterpart Theory
11: Resolving the puzzles
12: Refinements and Choice Points
13: Alternatives and Challenges
14: Indiscernible Tolerance Arguments
15: Non-Qualitativeness and Aboutness
1: Logical Tools
2: Tolerance Puzzles
3: Motivating Non-Contingency
4: Coincidence Puzzles
5: Accepting Hypertolerance
6: Hypertolerance and Supervenience
7: Rejecting Iteration
8: Iteration for Metaphysical Necessity
9: Tolerance and Chance
10: Tolerance and Counterpart Theory
11: Resolving the puzzles
12: Refinements and Choice Points
13: Alternatives and Challenges
14: Indiscernible Tolerance Arguments
15: Non-Qualitativeness and Aboutness