
Putting Properties First
A Platonic Metaphysics for Natural Modality
Matthew Tugby(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 7. July 2022
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-0-19-885510-1 (ISBN)
Description
Putting Properties First considers the metaphysics of natural science. It develops and defends a contemporary metaphysical theory of natural modality called 'Modal Platonism', which puts properties first in the metaphysical hierarchy. According to this theory, natural properties-such as mass and charge-are fundamental entities which ground the laws of nature and the behavioural dispositions of physical things. This theory differs from other 'properties-first' approaches in two main ways. First, it views properties as Platonic universals, which exist even if they are not instantiated by anything. Second, the theory rejects the popular idea that properties are identical with, or essentially dependent upon, dispositions. Instead, Modal Platonism views properties as qualities which necessarily ground dispositions and other modal phenomena. This theory solves a range of philosophical puzzles regarding dispositions and laws. Given that laws of nature are a necessary precondition for scientific enquiry, Modal Platonism promises to provide a plausible metaphysical framework for all natural science.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
599 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-885510-1 (9780198855101)
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E-Book
06/2022
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€54.49
Available for download

E-Book
06/2022
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€54.49
Available for download
Person
Matthew Tugby is Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Durham University. Before moving to Durham in 2013, he was Teaching Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. Matthew's research focuses on issues at the intersection of contemporary metaphysics and the philosophy of science, including the topics of properties, dispositions, laws, causation, and modality. He was co-editor of Metaphysics and Science (OUP, 2013) and has published over 20 articles in academic journals such as Analysis, Mind, Philosophical Studies, and Synthese. In 2015 Matthew was the winner of the Mind Association Research Fellowship.
Author
Associate Professor in the Department of PhilosophyAssociate Professor, Durham University
Content
PART I. THE CORE THEORY: MODAL PLATONISM 1: The Scope and Aims of This Book: Properties, Laws, and Dispositions 2: The Platonic Theory of Dispositional Directedness 3: Against Dispositional Essentialism: A Grounding Theory of Natural Modality 4: Solving the Entailment and Governance Problems 5: Dissolving the Problem of Latent Dispositions 6: Objections and Replies PART II. PUTTING PLATONISM TO WORK 7: Instantiation and Repeatability: A Platonic Approach 8: Probabilistic Laws 9: Determinable Laws 10: Extending Modal Platonism 11: Summary Appendix I: Logical Proofs of Chapter Four