ABSTRACT

Designed for students of philosophy who have already done an introductory course in the subject, this volume aims to introduce the main topics of metaphysics while avoiding jargon and technicalities. Topics include the problem of universals, the nature of abstract entries, the problem of individuation, the nature of modality, identity through time, the nature of time, and the realism/antirealism debate. Where possible, the author attempts to relate contemporary views to their classical sources in the history of philosophy.

chapter |18 pages

Introduction

The nature of metaphysics— some historical reflections Metaphysics as category theory

part 1|2 pages

The problem of universals I— Metaphysical realism

chapter 1|30 pages

The problem of universals I— Metaphysical realism

Realism and nominalism

part 2|2 pages

The problem of universals II— Nominalism

chapter 2|38 pages

The problem of universals II— Nominalism

The motivation for nominalism

part 3|2 pages

Concrete particulars I—Substrata, bundles, and substances

chapter 3|38 pages

Concrete particulars I—Substrata, bundles, and substances

Substratum and bundle theories

part 4|2 pages

Propositions and their neighbors

chapter 4|32 pages

Propositions and their neighbors

The traditional theory of propositions

part 5|2 pages

The necessary and the possible

chapter 5|34 pages

The necessary and the possible

Problems about modality

part 6|2 pages

Concrete particulars II— Persistence through time

chapter 6|30 pages

Concrete particulars II— Persistence through time

Two theories of persistence— endurantism and perdurantism