Metaphysics

Preface Preface to the Second Edition Introduction Overview The nature of metaphysics - some historical reflections Metaphysics as category theory Notes Further Reading 1. The Problem of Universals I: Metaphysical Realism Overview Realism and nominalism The ontology of metaphysical realism Realism and predication Realism and abstract reference Restrictions on realism - exemplification Further restraictions - defined and undefined predicates Are there any unexemplified attributes? Notes Further reading 2. The Problem of Universals II: Nominalism Overview The motivation for nominalism Austere nominalism Metalinguistic nominalism Trope theory Notes Further reading 3. Concrete Particulars I: Substrata, Bundles and Substances Overview Substratum and bundle theories An objection to the bundle theory - subject-predicate discourse Another objection to the bundle theory - the identity of Indiscernibles An argument for the substratum theory Aristotelian substances Notes Further reading 4. Propositions and their neighbours Overview The traditional theory of propositions Nominalism about propositions Facts, states of affairs and events Notes Further reading 5. The Necessary and the Possible Overview Problems about modality Possible worlds Possible worlds nominalism The metaphysics of possible worlds nominalism - David Lewis Actualism and possible worlds - Alvin Platinga Notes Further reading 6. Concrete Particulars II: Persistence Through Time Overview Two theoires of persistence - endurantism and perdurantism Two theories of time - presentism and eternalism The ontology of perdurantism An argument for perdurantism - change in properties A second argument for perdurantism - change in parts Notes Further reading 7. The Challenge of Anti-Realism Overview Two views about the nature of reality Dummett's anti-Realis The inscrutability of reference Putnam's anti-Realism Realism or anti-Realism? Notes Further reading Bibliography Index