Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book considers the challenge to traditional Aristotelian metaphysics posed by the 'block universe' of special relativity, as modeled by Minkowski spacetime. It focuses on quantum physics and the modern (Oxford) version of the Everett or many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics. The book offers a formal development of the Traveling Forms interpretation (TF) and defends it from various objections. It utilizes quantum physics to launch an attack on neo-Humean metaphysics, a contemporary Humean account of the nature of causal powers. The book also considers the threat to localized causal powers posed by quantum holism. It proposes a special kind of power possessed by certain composite entities—namely, a dynamic structural power, by which the entity sustains itself in existence over time. The book seeks to rehabilitate the idea of animals as agents.