Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics
Published on 20. May 2013
416 pages
978-1-118-71234-4 (ISBN)
Description
In a series of thought-provoking and original essays, eighteenleading philosophers engage in head-to-head debates of nine of themost cutting edge topics in contemporary metaphysics.
* * Explores the fundamental questions in contemporary metaphysicsin a series of eighteen original essays - 16 of which are newlycommissioned for this volume
* Features an introductory essay by the editors on the nature ofmetaphysics to prepare the reader for ongoing discussions
* Offers readers the unique opportunity to observe leadingphilosophers engage in head-to-head debate on cutting-edgemetaphysical topics
* Provides valuable insights into the flourishing field ofcontemporary metaphysics
Reviews / Votes
"Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics is a terrificbook -- 18 essays by some of the most distinguished voices incontemporary philosophy which collectively represent and define thestate of the art in this ancient discipline. The writing is freshand clear throughout, accessible to beginners but rigorous enoughto satisfy the most exacting specialists. This is no bland surveyof the subject: the book is structured as a series of debates, withpartisans of opposed positions clashing directly on the page. Forthose who want to see how contemporary metaphysics is done, thereis no better introduction to the subject." Gideon A. Rosen, Princeton University "This is an incredibly good collection of original papersabout the central problems of metaphysics. I will certainly use thebook as a text in my yearly introductory graduate seminar onmetaphysics." Peter Van Inwagen, University of Notre Dame "Until now we've had to choose between traditional texts,where the author pretends to be arguing with him/herself, andanthologies, where the reader pretends the authors are arguing witheach other. This book has genuine focussed exchange between some ofthe best metaphysicians around. The introduction by Sider is a gem.What a great way to learn metaphysics." Prof. Stephen Yablo, MIT "What might one want in a contemporary metaphysics reader?There are plenty of volumes that reprint the 20th centuryprecursors to current debates; no need for another one of those.What would be great is a collection of first-rate essays by leadingphilosophers which effectively engage the most important issues inthe field and give attention not only to the substantive debatesbut the meta-philosophical questions such as: what is metaphysicsand how is it possible? And now we have it: Contemporary Debatesin Metaphysics does it all." Sally Haslanger, MIT "Written with philosophical sophistication ....Rewarding and valuable ... .Teaching papers ... .It wouldmake a fine ... and useful resource for the professionalphilosopher." Notre Dame Philosophical ReviewsMore details
Other editions
Additional editions
Theodore Sider | John Hawthorne | Dean W. Zimmerman
Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics
Book
12/2007
1st Edition
Wiley
€110.12
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Theodore Sider | John Hawthorne | Dean W. Zimmerman
Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics
Book
12/2007
1st Edition
Wiley
€39.56
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Persons
Theodore Sider is Professor of Philosophy at New YorkUniversity. He is the author of Four-Dimensionalism and (with EarlConee) Riddles of Existence.
John Hawthorne is Waynflete Professor of MetaphysicalPhilosophy at the University of Oxford. He is the author ofMetaphysical Essays, and has published widely in metaphysics,epistemology, philosophy of language, and Leibniz studies.
Dean W. Zimmerman is Associate Professor in thePhilosophy department at Rutgers University. He is editor of OxfordStudies in Metaphysics, and author of numerous articles inmetaphysics and philosophy of religion.
Content
Notes on contributors.
Introduction.
I. Abstract entities.
1.1 Abstract entities: Chris Swoyer (University ofOklahoma).
1.2 There are no abstract objects: Cian Dorr (University ofPittsburgh).
II. Causation and laws of nature.
2.1 Nailed to Hume's cross?: John W. Carroll (NorthCarolina State University).
2.2 Causation and laws of nature: Reductionism: JonathanSchaffer (University of Massachusetts-Amherst).
III. Modality and possible worlds.
3.1 Concrete possible worlds: Phillip Bricker(University ofMassachusetts- Amherst).
3.2 Ersatz possible worlds: Joseph Melia (University ofLeeds).
IV. Personal identity.
4.1 People and their bodies: Judith Jarvis Thomson (MIT).
4.2 Persons, bodies, and human beings: Derek Parfit (All SoulsCollege, Oxford).
V. Time.
5.1 The privileged present: defending an "A-theory"of time: Dean Zimmerman (Rutgers University).
5.2 The tenseless theory of time: J. J. C. Smart (AustralianNational University).
VI. Persistence.
6.1 Temporal parts: Theodore Sider (Rutgers University).
6.2 Three-dimensionalism vs. four-dimensionalism: John Hawthorne(Rutgers University).
VII. Free will.
7.1 Incompatibilism: Robert Kane (University of Texas atAustin).
7.2 Compatibilism, incompatibilism, and impossibilism: KadriVihvelin (University of Southern California).
VIII. Mereology.
8.1 The moon and sixpence: a defense of mereologicaluniversalism: James van Cleve (University of SouthernCalifornia).
8.2 Restricted composition: Ned Markosian (Western WashingtonUniversity).
IX. Meteontology.
9.1 Ontological arguments: interpretive charity and quantifiervariance: Eli Hirsch (Brandeis University).
9.2 The picture of reality as an amorphous lump: Matti Eklund(Cornell University).
Index
