Metaphysics: A Very Short IntroductionMetaphysics 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. |
Contents
What is an introduction? | 1 |
1 What is a table? | 3 |
2 What is a circle? | 14 |
3 Are wholes just sums of parts? | 24 |
4 What is a change? | 34 |
5 What is a cause? | 44 |
6 How does time pass? | 55 |
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Common terms and phrases
able absence absurd accept actual allow answer arranged assume ball become believe body bundle causation causes Chapter circle circularity claim complex connection consider contained continuity David death deny discussed distinct effect elements everything example existence explain fact followed future give happen hard height HISTORY human Hume idea identical instance issues John kind Kirk least length look matter mean mental metaphysics metres tall Michael mind move nature negative nevertheless notion object observation occurred original particular pass past Perhaps person philosophers physical Platonic position possible worlds present problem properties question reality reason reject relation resemblance running seems seen sense simple someone sometimes sort sounds space stand started substance suggested Suppose temporal theory things thought Tower true truth understand universe whole