Metaphysics is one of the traditional four main branches of philosophy, alongside ethics, logic and epistemology. It is also an area that continues to attract and hold a fascination for many people yet it is associated with being complex and abstract. For some it is associated with the mystical or religious. For others it is known through the metaphysical poets who talk of love and spirituality.
This Very Short Introduction goes right to the heart of the matter, getting to the basic and most important questions of metaphysical thought in order to understand the theory: What are objects? Do colours and shapes have some form of existence? What is it for one thing to cause another rather than just being associated with it? What is possible? Does time pass?
By using these questions to initiate thought about the basic issues around substance, properties, changes, causes, possibilities, time, personal identity, nothingness and emergentism, Stephen Mumford provides a clear and simple path through this analytical tradition at the core of philosophical thought.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
By:
Stephen Mumford Imprint: Oxford University Press Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 173mm,
Width: 113mm,
Spine: 8mm
Weight: 117g ISBN:9780199657124 ISBN 10: 0199657122 Series:Very Short Introductions Pages: 128 Publication Date:30 October 2012 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction: What is an introduction? 1: What is a table? 2: What is a circle? 3: Are wholes just sums of parts? 4: What is a change? 5: What is a cause? 6: How does time pass? 7: What is a person? 8: What is possible? 9: Is nothing something? 10: What is metaphysics? Furthe reading: what should you read next? Index
Reviews for Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction
It manages to be jargon-free without sacrificing rigour and complexity. * Times Higher Education Supplement *
