Varieties of Things

Reviews / Votes

"[This] book is well written in a no-nonsense style. First Rate."The Philosophical Quarterly "An exceptionally good introduction and tour throughcentral topics in contemporary metaphysics. The book could easilybe used alone for an upper level course in metaphysics or as acommentary alongside original articles. It is written clearly, withilluminating examples and engaging discussion." Review of Metaphysics "Macdonald's Varieties of Things: Foundations ofContemporary Metaphysics is an excellent study in ontology. Itprovides a descriptive metaphysical account of the ontology ofmaterial substances, persons, events, and universals. While thebook provides a sophisticated account of the issues, it is writtenin a way that makes it accessible to an advanced undergraduatestudent audience. And given its novel defenses of some positions,it will also be of considerable interest to professionalphilosophers working on the issues" Brian McLaughlin, Rutgers University "Amongst the book's most notable virtues are its clarityand the author's careful attention to detail in setting outarguments and counter-arguments for various positions. The openingchapters on the nature of metaphysics are excellent. The laterchapters on material substances, persons, events, and universalsare thorough, closely argued and well informed." Jonathan Lowe, University of Durham"[This] book is well written in a no-nonsense style. FirstRate." The Philosophical Quarterly "Varieties of Things is an exceptionally goodintroduction and tour through central topics in contemporarymetaphysics. [It] is written clearly, with illuminating examplesand engaging discussion." Review of Metaphysics "Macdonald's Varieties of Things: Foundations ofContemporary Metaphysics is an excellent study in ontology. Itprovides a descriptive metaphysical account of the ontology ofmaterial substances, persons, events, and universals. While thebook provides a sophisticated account of the issues, it is writtenin a way that makes it accessible to an advanced undergraduatestudent audience. And given its novel defenses of some positions,it will also be of considerable interest to professionalphilosophers working on the issues" Brian McLaughlin, Rutgers University "Amongst the book's most notable virtues are its clarityand the author's careful attention to detail in setting outarguments and counter-arguments for various positions. The openingchapters on the nature of metaphysics are excellent. The laterchapters on material substances, persons, events, and universalsare thorough, closely argued and well informed." Jonathan Lowe, University of Durham