Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology Books
Philos-Sophia Initiative Foundation Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief
£14.24
£12.39
Oxford University Press Powers Metaphysic
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£68.40
Harvard University Press Thinking with Whitehead
Book SynopsisAlfred North Whitehead has never gone out of print, but for a time he was decidedly out of fashion in the English-speaking world. In a splendid work that serves as both introduction and erudite commentary, Isabelle Stengersone of today's leading philosophers of sciencegoes straight to the beating heart of Whitehead's thought. The product of thirty years' engagement with the mathematician-philosopher's entire canon, this volume establishes Whitehead as a daring thinker on par with Gilles Deleuze, Felix Guattari, and Michel Foucault. Reading the texts in broadly chronological order while highlighting major works, Stengers deftly unpacks Whitehead's often complicated language, explaining the seismic shifts in his thinking and showing how he called into question all that philosophers had considered settled after Descartes and Kant. She demonstrates that the implications of Whitehead's philosophical theories and specialized knowledge of the various sciences come yoked with his innovative,
£23.36
Oxford University Press The Meme Machine
Book SynopsisHumans are extraordinary creatures, with the unique ability among animals to imitate and so copy from one another ideas, habits, skills, behaviours, inventions, songs, and stories. These are all memes, a term first coined by Richard Dawkins in 1976 in his book The Selfish Gene. Memes, like genes, are replicators, and this enthralling book is an investigation of whether this link between genes and memes can lead to important discoveries about the nature of the inner self. Confronting the deepest questions about our inner selves, with all our emotions, memories, beliefs, and decisions, Susan Blackmore makes a compelling case for the theory that the inner self is merely an illusion created by the memes for the sake of replication.Trade ReviewAnyone who hopes or fears that memetics will become a science of culture will find this surefooted exploration of the prospects a major eye-opener. * Daniel Dennett *Any theory deserves to be given its best shot, and that is what Susan Blackmore has given the theory of the meme I am delighted to recommend her book. * Richard Dawkins *
£12.59
Oxford University Press Inc Vatsyayanas Commentary on the Nyayasutra
Book SynopsisVatsyayana''s Commentary on the Nyaya-sutra is one of classical India''s most important philosophical works. This Guide offers both a map and interpretation of this challenging canonical text, suitable for any student or novice reader.Treating them as a single hybrid text, the Nyaya-sutra with Vatsyayana''s commentary systematizes in skeletal form centuries of ancient Indian philosophical developments concerning logic, epistemology, and dialectics, while also defending a realist categorial metaphysics. It offers a number of epistemological and methodological insights that inform intellectual inquiry in the Subcontinent for over a millennium. Vatsyayana''s Commentary also provides sophisticated arguments for distinct positions in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language, and value theory that stand amongst the best contributions to world philosophy.This guide, accessible to students and researchers not familiar with classical Indian philosophy, provides a distilled, accessible Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Introduction Principles of Selection, Organization, and Translation Outline of the Text Chapter 1 - The Central Topics of Nyaya Chapter 2 - Epistemology and Philosophy of Language Chapter 3 - Objects of Knowledge Chapter 4 - Objects of Knowledge and the Knowledge that Leads to the Supreme Good Chapter 5 - Dialectics Appendix A - Thematic reading plans and recommended scholarship Appendix B - V=atsy=ayana's philosophical commitments summarized Appendix C - Immediate inference, postulation, and contraposition: on V=atsy=ayana's logical
£999.99
Oxford University Press Inc Causality and Causal Explanation in Aristotle
Book SynopsisAristotle''s writings about causality and its relation to natural science are at the heart of his philosophical project, and at the origin of a 2,000-year history of inquiry into these topics. Yet for all the work done on various aspects of his thought, there has been no full-length philosophical study of his theory of causality, and some basic questions about it remain under-examined. For example, it is unclear, from what he and his commentators have said, (a) how Aristotle answers the main philosophical questions about causality to which he thinks his predecessors'' answers are flawed, and (b) how his answers bear on the main questions we confront in thinking about causality in general, such that those answers could be usefully critiqued, developed, and compared with others. Nathanael Stein''s book addresses these two questions. It is not a survey of Aristotle''s claims, but rather focuses on a set of key conceptual, metaphysical, and epistemological questions that are important both for understanding Aristotle''s responses to his predecessors and for understanding causality in general. The book thus provides the kind of philosophical engagement with Aristotle that has proven so fruitful in other domains, such as ethics and metaphysics. It also aims to contribute to a more accurate understanding of the differences between ancient and modern approaches to the natural world. This book is meant for anyone interested in philosophical theories of causation and explanation and their history, as well as those who have read Aristotle''s thoughts on the topic of causality and come away wondering what it all really adds up to, and how we might engage with it.Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Part I: Conceptual Structure 1. Reading (and Animating) Physics II 3 2. Background 1: Critiques of the Predecessors 3. Background 2: Science and Dialectic 4. Physics II 3 in Argumentative Context Part II: Metaphysics 5. The Realist Challenge 6. Causes, Kinds, and Transformations 7. Causal Kinds and Causal Profiles 8. Discreteness in Agent-Patient Relations Part III: Epistemology 9. Coming to Know Causes 10. Causality and Epistemic Asymmetries 11. The Non-secret Connexion Conclusion Bibliography Index
£999.99
Taylor & Francis Ltd Philosophy of Language
Book SynopsisNow in its third edition, Philosophy of Language: A Contemporary Introduction introduces students to the main issues and theories in twenty-first-century philosophy of language, focusing specifically on linguistic phenomena. Author William G. Lycan structures the book into four general parts. Part I, Reference and Referring, includes topics such as Russell''s Theory of Descriptions (and its objections), Donnellan''s distinction, problems of anaphora, the Description Theory of proper names, Searle''s Cluster Theory, and the Causal-Historical Theory. Part II, Theories of Meaning, surveys the competing theories of linguistic meaning and compares their various advantages and liabilities. Part III, Pragmatics and Speech Acts, introduces the basic concepts of linguistic pragmatics and includes a detailed discussion of the problem of indirect force. Part IV, The Expressive and the Figurative, examines various forms of expressive language and what metaphorical meaning is aTrade Review"An authoritative, pedagogically sensitive and superbly clear introduction to the central issues of the philosophy of language."Paul Boghossian, New York University, USA"An authoritative, pedagogically sensitive and superbly clear introduction to the central issues of the philosophy of language."Paul Boghossian, New York University, USATable of Contents1. Introduction: Meaning and Reference Part 1: Reference and Referring 2. Definite Descriptions 3. Proper Names: The Description Theory 4. Proper Names: Direct Reference and the Causal–Historical Theory Part II: Theories of Meaning 5. Traditional Theories of Meaning 6. "Use" Theories 7. Psychological Theories: Grice's Program 8. Verificationism 9. Truth-Condition Theories: Davidson's Program 10. Truth-Condition Theories: Possible Worlds and Intensional Semantics Part III: Pragmatics and Speech Acts 11. Semantic Pragmatics 12. Speech Acts and Illocutionary Force 13. Implicative Relations Part IV: The Expressive and the Figurative 14. Expressive Language 15. Metaphor Glossary Bibliography Index
£37.99
Edinburgh University Press Speculative Grammatology
Book SynopsisLooking mainly at Derrida's early work and the philosophy of speculative realists Karen Barad, Catherine Malabou and Quentin Meillassoux, Deborah Goldgaber opens the conversation between deconstruction and speculative realism.
£20.89
Broadview Press Why Does Anything Exist
£40.26
John Hunt Frontier Between the Map and the Territory The Notes on the Intertwining between Matter and Information
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£15.19
Ozark Mountain Publishing Convoluted Universe: Book One
Book SynopsisThis is the sequel to ''The Custodians''. The book contains some of the more complicated concepts in Metaphysics that Dolores Cannon discovered through twenty years of using deep hypnosis to explore the subconscious mind. Some of the topics explored in this book: The origin, knowledge and destruction of Atlantis; The explanations of Earth mysteries, including -- the Pyramids, Easter Island, the Bermuda Triangle, the Ark of the Covenant, Loch Ness Monster, Nazca Lines; Characteristics of other Planets, Parallel Universes, Parallel Lifetimes and Realities; Other Dimensions and much more. This book is intended for those readers who want their minds expanded by the more complicated Metaphysical ideas that border on ''Quantum Physics''.
£16.14
Cambridge University Press Proclus Commentary on Platos Timaeus Volume 5 Book 4
a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.
£158.65
Liberty Fund Inc Logic Metaphysics the Natural Sociability of
Book Synopsis
£17.95
Liberty Fund Inc Logic Metaphysics the Natural Sociability of
Book Synopsis
£10.40
Liberty Fund Inc A Treatise of the Laws of Nature
Book SynopsisA Treatise of the Laws of Nature, originally titled De Legibus Naturae, first appeared in 1672 as a theoretical response to a range of issues that came together during the late 1660s. It conveyed a conviction that science might offer an effective means of demonstrating both the contents and the obligatory force of the law of nature. At a time when Hobbes's work appeared to suggest that the application of science undermined rather than supported the idea of obligatory natural law, Cumberland's De Legibus Naturae provided a scientific explanation of the natural necessity of altruism. Through his argument for a moral obligation to natural law, Cumberland made a critical intervention in the early debate over the role of natural jurisprudence at a moment when the natural law project was widely suspected of heterodoxy and incoherence. This is the first modern edition of A Treatise of the Laws of Nature, based on John Maxwell's English translation of 1727. The edition includes Maxwell's exten
£18.95
Liberty Fund Inc Treatise of the Laws of Nature Natural Law and
Book SynopsisA Treatise of the Laws of Nature, originally titled De Legibus Naturae, first appeared in 1672 as a theoretical response to a range of issues that came together during the late 1660s. It conveyed a conviction that science might offer an effective means of demonstrating both the contents and the obligatory force of the law of nature. At a time when Hobbes''s work appeared to suggest that the application of science undermined rather than supported the idea of obligatory natural law, Cumberland''s De Legibus Naturae provided a scientific explanation of the natural necessity of altruism. Through his argument for a moral obligation to natural law, Cumberland made a critical intervention in the early debate over the role of natural jurisprudence at a moment when the natural law project was widely suspected of heterodoxy and incoherence. This is the first modern edition of A Treatise of the Laws of Nature, based on John Maxwell''s English translation of 1727. The edition includes Maxwell''s e
£10.95
Liberty Fund Inc Austrian Subjectivism and the Emergence of
Book Synopsis
£14.20
Liberty Fund Inc Austrian Subjectivism the Emergence of
Book SynopsisThis volume comprises several of Kirzner''s previously published papers on the subjects of methodological subjectivism and the history of entrepreneurship theorytopics of primary importance in Kirzner''s economic thought because one cannot fully understand entrepreneurship theory without considering subjectivism. The volume includes Kirzner''s seminal paper Methodological Individualism, Market Equilibrium, and Market Process, in which Kirzner conceptualized the role of the entrepreneurial function in the market process for the first time in his work. According to the editors, that paper opened the door to Kirzner''s research on the market process, leading six years later to the publication of Competition and Entrepreneurship. In doing so, it paved the way to the modern Austrian theory of the market process.
£8.95
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Theaetetus
Book SynopsisM. J. Levett''s elegant translation of Plato''s Theaetetus, first published in 1928, is here revised by Myles Burnyeat to reflect contemporary standards of accuracy while retaining the style, imagery, and idiomatic speech for which the Levett translation is unparalleled. Bernard William's concise introduction, aimed at undergraduate students, illuminates the powerful argument of this complex dialogue, and illustrates its connections to contemporary metaphysical and epistemological concerns.
£13.29
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc The Original Sceptics
Book SynopsisThese five essays began a debate about the nature and scope of ancient scepticism which has transformed our understanding of what scepticism originally was. Together they provide a vigorous and highly stimulating introduction to the thought of the original sceptics, and shed new light on its relation to sceptical arguments in modern philosophy.Trade ReviewThe Original Sceptics contains a wealth of analysis, argument and philological comment, and it undoubtedly succeeds in making the reader aware of the difficulties involved in discovering what the ancient sceptics really held. --F. C. White, Australasian Journal of PhilosophyTable of ContentsThe sceptics' beliefs; can the sceptic live his scepticism?; the beliefs of a Pyrrhonist; the sceptic in his place and time; the sceptic's two kinds of assent.
£17.99
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc The Original Sceptics
Book SynopsisThis is a collection of five essays debating the nature and scope of ancient scepticism, providing an introduction to the thought of the original sceptics. The book seeks to shed new light on how their thought relates to sceptical arguments in modern philosophy.Trade ReviewThe Original Sceptics contains a wealth of analysis, argument and philological comment, and it undoubtedly succeeds in making the reader aware of the difficulties involved in discovering what the ancient sceptics really held. --F. C. White, Australasian Journal of PhilosophyTable of ContentsThe sceptics' beliefs; can the sceptic live his scepticism?; the beliefs of a Pyrrhonist; the sceptic in his place and time; the sceptic's two kinds of assent.
£44.19
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc The Good Life
Book SynopsisOrganized around themes such as harmony with one's self and with the world, right relation to God, the use of reason, self-exploration, and living in a disordered world, the selections in this anthology explore traditional philosophical thought from Plato to de Beauvoir on the topic of human flourishing.Trade ReviewI recently used The Good Life for my course Philosophy Through Film. I was pleasantly surprised by the development of the students' excitement for and interest in the assigned readings. Throughout the semester the students commented on the helpfulness of the editor's introductions for each reading, and they became increasingly interested in philosophy. The book was a huge success! --Megan Altman, Florida Gulf Coast University. . . a marvelously wide-ranging selection of philosophers' attempts to define the good life. . . . Making selections for a modest-sized volume on such an issue is a daunting task, requiring negotiating the Scylla of breadth but superficiality and the Charybdis of detail but narrowness. On this score one has to say Guignon has done just about as well as can be done. . . . The editor’s introductions to each selection are quite helpful and accurate. . . . [An] excellent anthology that undergraduate philosophy teachers will no doubt find extremely useful in the classroom. --Whitley R. P. Kaufman, Philosophy in Review
£36.89
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Substantial Knowledge
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewC.D.C. Reeve has made a remarkable contribution to the study of Aristotle’s metaphysics, not least because his interpretation restores Aristotle’s theology to its central place. His book will be important reading not only for scholars engaged in debate about Aristotle’s text, but also for the rest of us, because it is both an interpretation of Aristotle and a significant metaphysical inquiry in its own right. --Alasdair MacIntyre, Duke UniversityA splendid book! Reeve's Substantial Knowledge contains a remarkably rich and detailed exploration of the primacy, both metaphysical and epistemological, of substantial being in Aristotle's theoretical philosophy. It not only provides an accessible introduction to the key texts and problems, but also challenges contemporary scholarship in its highly original exposition and defense of a holistic interpretation of the aims and content of Aristotle's metaphysical theorizing. --Alan Code, University of California, BerkeleyEven scholars who have worked hard over decades on metaphysics in Aristotle will find much refreshment as well as much to learn in studying this book. This is not an ordinary working through, textbook fashion, of the established topics and the established texts, aimed at giving a thorough but traditionally conceived examination of Aristotle’s metaphysics of substance. It is a completely fresh, independently motivated philosophical reading of lots and lots of Aristotelian texts, assembled in order to buttress an ongoing interpretative project, and quoted in full and then analyzed step by step in the surrounding discussion. I am sure that any reader will find the book a spirited and instructive effort to deal intelligibly with these often quite daunting materials. --John Cooper, Princeton University
£17.99
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Substantial Knowledge Aristotles Metaphysics
Book SynopsisC.D.C. Reeves uses the Primacy Dilemma to explore Aristotle's metaphysics, epistemology, dialectic, philosophy of mind and theology. The book's clear, non-technical format makes it suitable for both academic and general readers with an interest in Aristotle.Trade ReviewC.D.C. Reeve has made a remarkable contribution to the study of Aristotle’s metaphysics, not least because his interpretation restores Aristotle’s theology to its central place. His book will be important reading not only for scholars engaged in debate about Aristotle’s text, but also for the rest of us, because it is both an interpretation of Aristotle and a significant metaphysical inquiry in its own right. --Alasdair MacIntyre, Duke UniversityA splendid book! Reeve's Substantial Knowledge contains a remarkably rich and detailed exploration of the primacy, both metaphysical and epistemological, of substantial being in Aristotle's theoretical philosophy. It not only provides an accessible introduction to the key texts and problems, but also challenges contemporary scholarship in its highly original exposition and defense of a holistic interpretation of the aims and content of Aristotle's metaphysical theorizing. --Alan Code, University of California, BerkeleyEven scholars who have worked hard over decades on metaphysics in Aristotle will find much refreshment as well as much to learn in studying this book. This is not an ordinary working through, textbook fashion, of the established topics and the established texts, aimed at giving a thorough but traditionally conceived examination of Aristotle’s metaphysics of substance. It is a completely fresh, independently motivated philosophical reading of lots and lots of Aristotelian texts, assembled in order to buttress an ongoing interpretative project, and quoted in full and then analyzed step by step in the surrounding discussion. I am sure that any reader will find the book a spirited and instructive effort to deal intelligibly with these often quite daunting materials. --John Cooper, Princeton University
£23.39
Sophia Perennis et Universalis The Esoteric Path An Introduction to the Hermetic
Book Synopsis
£16.56
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Metaphysics
Book SynopsisThis translation of the central books of the Metaphysics aims at no literary value, only literalness.Trade ReviewAbout as close to Aristotle's Greek, syntax and all, as one can get in English.--Arthur Madigan, S.J., Boston College
£36.89
Hackett Publishing Co, Inc Metaphysics
Book Synopsis"Metaphysics: Books 7 to 10".Trade ReviewAbout as close to Aristotle's Greek, syntax and all, as one can get in English.--Arthur Madigan, S.J., Boston College
£15.19
Cambridge University Press The Ontology of Emotions
Book SynopsisThe nature of emotion is an important question in several philosophical domains, but little attention has so far been paid to identifying the general ontological category to which emotions belong. Given that they are short-lived, are they events? Since they often have components or stages, are they processes? Or does their close link with behaviour mean they are dispositions? In this volume, leading scholars investigate these basic ontological issues, contributing to current discussions about emotions and paving the way for new research into an underexplored area of philosophy. With chapters addressing issues including the temporal profile of emotions, the distinction between emotions and other affective states, and the epistemology of emotion, this highly original book will be valuable for students and specialists of philosophy, and particularly for those working in the metaphysics of mind and emotions.Trade Review'In this volume's ten essays, analytic philosophers (Naar among them) explore metaphysical questions about what ontological category to assign emotions … Suitable for specialists, the collection reveals that advances (though perhaps incremental) have been made on many of these problems.' ChoiceTable of ContentsIntroduction Hichem Naar and Fabrice Teroni; 1. Mind-body theories and the emotions William Jaworski; 2. Dispositionality and mentality John Heil; 3. Emotion as process Jenefer Robinson; 4. The ontology of emotion Matthew Soteriou; 5. Phenomenal commitments: a puzzle for experiential theories of emotion Jona Vance; 6. An enactivist theory of emotional Content Daniel Shargel and Jesse Prinz; 7. The perceptibility of emotion Joel Smith; 8. Sentiments Hichem Naar; 9. The metaphysics of moods Christine Tappolet; 10. Night fight Clare Mac Cumhaill.
£88.34
Cambridge University Press Thinking about Free Will
Book SynopsisPeter van Inwagen, author of the classic book An Essay on Free Will (1983), has established himself over the last forty years as a leading figure in the philosophical debate about the problem of free will. This volume presents eleven influential essays from throughout his career, as well as two new and previously unpublished essays, ''The Problem of Fr** W*ll'' and ''Ability''. The essays include discussions of determinism, moral responsibility, ''Frankfurt counterexamples'', the meaning of ''the ability to do otherwise'', and the very definition of free will, as well as critiques of writings on the topic by Daniel Dennett and David Lewis. An introduction by the author discusses the history of his thinking about free will. The volume will be a valuable resource for those looking to engage with van Inwagen''s significant contributions to this perennially important topic.Trade Review'These are all superb papers. In addition to Peter van Inwagen's classic and indispensable contributions to the free will debate, Thinking about Free Will includes illuminating discussion of whether there is anything we all mean by 'free will', how we should think about the problem of free will, and whether free will remains a mystery. It is frank and fascinating.' Michael Almeida, University of Texas, San Antonio'This volume brings together essays written over the course of more than three decades by one of the world's leading scholars on free will. An outstanding and informative collection, it displays the depth and rigor of van Inwagen's groundbreaking arguments on one of the greatest problems in philosophy. Both researchers and students who work on the cluster of issues connected to free agency - including ability, moral responsibility, determinism, desert, and natural laws - will appreciate having this illuminating volume.' Laura Ekstrom, College of William and Mary, Virginia'No one writes more sensibly about the traditional philosophical problem of free will than does Peter van Inwagen. This book, a collection of his essays on free will, ought to join his An Essay on Free Will, the best modern treatment of the topic, on the shelf of anyone seriously considering the cluster of issues which constitute the traditional philosophical problem of free will. It is an excellent volume.' Peter A. Graham, Notre Dame Philosophical ReviewTable of ContentsPreface; Introduction; 1. Ability and responsibility; 2. On two arguments for compatibilism; 3. Compatibilistic reflections; 4. Critical study of Dennett's Elbow Room; 5. When is the will free?; 6. Moral responsibility, determinism, and the ability to do otherwise; 7. Free will remains a mystery; 8. Genes, statistics, and desert; 9. Freedom to break the laws; 10. How to think about the problem of free will; 11. A promising argument; 12. Preface to the French translation of An Essay on Free Will; 13. The problem of fr** w*ll; 14. Ability; Index.
£71.25
Cambridge University Press Melissus and Eleatic Monism
Book SynopsisIn the fifth century BCE, Melissus of Samos developed wildly counterintuitive claims against plurality, change, and the reliability of the senses. This book provides a reconstruction of the preserved textual evidence for his philosophy, along with an interpretation of the form and content of each of his arguments. A close examination of his thought reveals an extraordinary clarity and unity in his method and gives us a unique perspective on how philosophy developed in the fifth century, and how Melissus came to be the most prominent representative of what we now call Eleaticism, the monistic philosophy inaugurated by Parmenides. The rich intellectual climate of Ionian enquiry in which Melissus worked is explored and brought to bear on central questions of the interpretation of his fragments. This volume will appeal to students and scholars of early Greek philosophy, and also those working on historical and medical texts.Table of ContentsPrefatory material; B1: what-is did not come to be; B2 and B3: spatial infinity; B4, B5, B6: what-is is one; B9 and B10: bodilessness and indivisibility; B7: change, pain, and motion; B8: sense experience and plurality.
£85.50
Cambridge University Press Heideggers Moral Ontology
Book SynopsisHeidegger''s Moral Ontology offers the first comprehensive account of the ethical issues that underwrite Heidegger''s efforts to develop a novel account of human existence. Drawing from a wide array of source materials from the period leading up to the publication of Being and Time (19191927), and in conversation with ancient, modern, and contemporary contributions to moral philosophy, James D. Reid brings Heidegger''s early philosophy into fruitful dialogue with the history of ethics, and sheds fresh light on such familiar topics as Heidegger''s critique of Husserl, his engagement with Aristotle, his account of mortality, the role played by Kant in the genesis of Being and Time, and Heidegger''s early reflections on philosophical language and concepts. This lively book will appeal to all who are interested in Heidegger''s early phenomenology and in his thought more generally, as well as to those interested in the nature, scope, and foundations of ethical life.Trade Review'Drawing on a broad range of literary and philosophical sources, Reid perceptively, sensitively and rigorously explores the case for a 'moral ontology' grounded in Heidegger's early works: this is essential reading for anyone interested in modern European philosophy, and in the problems and possibilities embedded in Heidegger's thought.' Sacha Golob, King's College LondonTable of ContentsIntroduction: ethics and ontology; 1. Ethical criticism; 2. Ethical truth and the quarrel between the ancients and the moderns; 3. Excursus on being and the good; 4. Things and persons: an exercise in moral ontology; 5. Owning up to life and death; 6. The ethics and ontology of formal indication; Conclusion.
£85.50
Cambridge University Press Kant and Religion
Book SynopsisThis masterful work on Kant''s Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason explores Kant''s treatment of the Idea of God, his views concerning evil, and the moral grounds for faith in God. Kant and Religion works to deepen our understanding of religion''s place and meaning within the history of human culture, touching on Kant''s philosophical stance regarding theoretical, moral, political, and religious matters. Wood''s breadth of knowledge of Kant''s corpus, philosophical sharpness, and depth of reflection sheds light not only on Kant, but also on the fate of religion and its relation to philosophy in the modern world.Trade Review'In this penetrating study, Wood argues that Kant affirms neither traditional theism nor atheism. Rather, Kant interprets the central ideas of Christianity as invaluable symbols of the foundation of morality: that human beings are radically free, that because of their freedom they are capable of evil, but are equally free to undertake a lifelong 'change of heart,' working unremittingly to put morality ahead of self-love. Wood has written a masterpiece.' Paul Guyer, Brown University'Very few scholars are able to write the definitive work in a subject area when they are in their 20's. Even fewer have the chance to do it again 50 years later. This book shows us where the author's views have changed and evolved since Kant's Moral Religion (1970), and also – as importantly – where they have stayed the same. Like their namesake, Kantians tend to age well; this book is vintage Allen Wood.' Andrew Chignell, Princeton University'Kant and Religion, by its topic's foremost living scholar, presents the upshot of Wood's half a century of ground-breaking research on Kant's engagement with religion, not merely as a topic in metaphysics, but as a major factor in the social and individual dimensions of a moral life. Organized around Kant's Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason, this book deals insightfully with all three of Kant's Critiques and the major ethical works of his final years. This lively, accessible book combines Wood's engaging passion for his subject with carefully balanced judgment.' Robert Merrihew Adams, Rutgers University'… an original and exciting contribution to the literature on Kant's understanding of religion.' Jacqueline Mariña, Journal of the History of Philosophy'Wood's writing is … snappy, self-assured, and entertainingly bold …' Jessica Tizzard, Journal of the American Academy of ReligionTable of Contents1. Religion and reason; 2. Moral faith in God; 3. The radical evil in human nature; 4. The change of heart; 5. The son of God; 6. Grace and salvation; 7. The ethical community and the Church; 8. Freedom of conscience; Concluding remarks.
£74.09
Cambridge University Press Pragmatism Objectivity and Experience
Book SynopsisIn this book Steven Levine explores the relation between objectivity and experience from a pragmatic point of view. Like many new pragmatists he aims to rehabilitate objectivity in the wake of Richard Rorty''s rejection of the concept. But he challenges the idea, put forward by pragmatists like Robert Brandom, that objectivity is best rehabilitated in communicative-theoretic terms - namely, in terms that can be cashed out by capacities that agents gain through linguistic communication. Levine proposes instead that objectivity is best understood in experiential-theoretic terms. He explains how, in order to meet the aims of the new pragmatists, we need to do more than see objectivity as a norm of rationality embedded in our social-linguistic practices; we also need to see it as emergent from our experiential interaction with the world. Innovative and carefully argued, this book redeems and re-actualizes for contemporary philosophy a key insight developed by the classical pragmatists.Trade Review'Levine's book foregrounds the concept of objectivity, and in terms of it seeks to articulate various strains of pragmatist thought about experience and justification. His study is well-informed, richly detailed, systematically elegant and philosophically insightful.' Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews'Levine took up and succeeded in the task of creating a lively, extensive and productive conversation between the classical pragmatists and more recent figures in post-analytic philosophy … [his] book represents an important contribution to pragmatist philosophy.' European Journal of Pragmatism and American PhilosophyTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I: 1. Rorty and the rejection of objectivity; 2. Brandom, pragmatism, and experience; 3. Communication, perception, and objectivity; Part II: 4. An experiential account of objectivity; 5. Pragmatism, experience, and answerability; 6. Meaning, habit, and the myth of the given; Conclusion.
£999.99
Cambridge University Press Kant and Religion
Book SynopsisThis masterful work on Kant''s Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason explores Kant''s treatment of the Idea of God, his views concerning evil, and the moral grounds for faith in God. Kant and Religion works to deepen our understanding of religion''s place and meaning within the history of human culture, touching on Kant''s philosophical stance regarding theoretical, moral, political, and religious matters. Wood''s breadth of knowledge of Kant''s corpus, philosophical sharpness, and depth of reflection sheds light not only on Kant, but also on the fate of religion and its relation to philosophy in the modern world.Trade Review'In this penetrating study, Wood argues that Kant affirms neither traditional theism nor atheism. Rather, Kant interprets the central ideas of Christianity as invaluable symbols of the foundation of morality: that human beings are radically free, that because of their freedom they are capable of evil, but are equally free to undertake a lifelong 'change of heart,' working unremittingly to put morality ahead of self-love. Wood has written a masterpiece.' Paul Guyer, Brown University'Very few scholars are able to write the definitive work in a subject area when they are in their 20's. Even fewer have the chance to do it again 50 years later. This book shows us where the author's views have changed and evolved since Kant's Moral Religion (1970), and also – as importantly – where they have stayed the same. Like their namesake, Kantians tend to age well; this book is vintage Allen Wood.' Andrew Chignell, Princeton University'Kant and Religion, by its topic's foremost living scholar, presents the upshot of Wood's half a century of ground-breaking research on Kant's engagement with religion, not merely as a topic in metaphysics, but as a major factor in the social and individual dimensions of a moral life. Organized around Kant's Religion within the Boundaries of Mere Reason, this book deals insightfully with all three of Kant's Critiques and the major ethical works of his final years. This lively, accessible book combines Wood's engaging passion for his subject with carefully balanced judgment.' Robert Merrihew Adams, Rutgers University'… an original and exciting contribution to the literature on Kant's understanding of religion.' Jacqueline Mariña, Journal of the History of Philosophy'Wood's writing is … snappy, self-assured, and entertainingly bold …' Jessica Tizzard, Journal of the American Academy of ReligionTable of Contents1. Religion and reason; 2. Moral faith in God; 3. The radical evil in human nature; 4. The change of heart; 5. The son of God; 6. Grace and salvation; 7. The ethical community and the Church; 8. Freedom of conscience; Concluding remarks.
£999.99
Cambridge University Press What Biological Functions Are and Why They Matter
Book SynopsisThe biological functions debate is a perennial topic in the philosophy of science. In the first full-length account of the nature and importance of biological functions for many years, Justin Garson presents an innovative new theory, the ''generalized selected effects theory of function'', which seamlessly integrates evolutionary and developmental perspectives on biological functions. He develops the implications of the theory for contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind, the philosophy of medicine and psychiatry, the philosophy of biology, and biology itself, addressing issues ranging from the nature of mental representation to our understanding of the function of the human genome. Clear, jargon-free, and engagingly written, with accessible examples and explanatory diagrams to illustrate the discussion, his book will be highly valuable for readers across philosophical and scientific disciplines.Trade Review'Biological functions are much discussed but little understood. Justin Garson appeals to the explanatory depth of functional explanations to develop a powerful general theory of functions. This book will serve as a reference point for future debate.' David Papineau, King's College London'Garson does a superb job of explaining just how central a philosophical understanding of functions is to a wide array of discussions in philosophy and science. These discussions include how to count junk DNA in the ENCODE project, how to classify traits and individuate mechanisms, how different kinds and levels of biological explanations relate to each other, the nature of health and disease, the nature of mental disorder, and even the fundamental basis of thought itself. In addition to being an excellent introduction to these issues, this book gives us a fresh, lively and comprehensive presentation of Garson's distinctive contributions.' Karen Neander, Duke University, North Carolina'[In] What Biological Functions Are and Why They Matter, Justin Garson formulates the major philosophical issues that a relevant theory of function should solve as three main puzzles, namely (1) the function/accident distinction, (2) dysfunction, and (3) the etiological explanatory value of function.' Etienne Roux, MetascienceTable of ContentsIntroduction; Part I. Background: 1. The strangeness of functions; 2. Function and selection; 3. Feedback and functions; Part II. Theory: 4. An explosion of selection processes; 5. Selection and construction; 6. A generalized selected effects theory of function; 7. Proper functions are proximal functions; 8. When functions do wrong; Part III. Applications: 9. Function pluralism; 10. What are mechanisms?; 11. What are mental disorders?; 12. A new kind of teleosemantics; A programmatic epilogue.
£90.00
Cambridge University Press Time and Causality Across the Sciences
Book SynopsisThis book, geared toward academic researchers and graduate students, brings together research on all facets of how time and causality relate across the sciences. Time is fundamental to how we perceive and reason about causes. It lets us immediately rule out the sound of a car crash as its cause. That a cause happens before its effect has been a core, and often unquestioned, part of how we describe causality. Research across disciplines shows that the relationship is much more complex than that. This book explores what that means for both the metaphysics and epistemology of causes - what they are and how we can find them. Across psychology, biology, and the social sciences, common themes emerge, suggesting that time plays a critical role in our understanding. The increasing availability of large time series datasets allows us to ask new questions about causality, necessitating new methods for modeling dynamic systems and incorporating mechanistic information into causal models.Trade Review'Understanding the causal relations that make the world go round would be so much easier if mechanisms didn't operate over time, or at least if they operated at a single time scale. But mechanisms do unfold over multiple time scales, making not only inferences about causality tricky, but the very definition of causality the most slippery of conceptual issues. This book unpacks all this at the cutting edge of philosophy and science. It even addresses what may be the heart of the problem: how people understand causality and its counterpart, time.' Steven Sloman, Brown University, Rhode Island'A very useful collection on a fascinating topic. The connection between time and causation seems as obvious in science as in everyday life, yet turns out to be deeply puzzling, as soon as we dig below the surface. The essays collected here offer an excellent and accessible introduction to the issues, from an impressively interdisciplinary range of perspectives.' Huw Price, University of Cambridge'The volume encompasses a wide range of discussions on both metaphysical and epistemological approaches, and chapter authors look at issues across the sciences including physics, biochemistry, psychology, and sociology. Readers will undoubtedly agree that most researchers, including philosophers, who are concerned about causality would benefit from considering how their own approach compares with those of other disciplines … the material will be accessible to anyone within the respective sciences. The chapters are well written throughout, each with a good reference list.' E. Kincanon, ChoiceTable of Contents1. An introduction to time and causality Samantha Kleinberg; 2. Causality and time: an introductory typology Bert Leuridan and Thomas Lodewyck; 3. The direction of causation Phil Dowe; 4. On the causal nature of time Victor Gijsbers; 5. Causation in a physical world: an overview of our emerging understanding Jenann Ismael; 6. Intervening in time Neil R. Bramely; 7. Time-event relationships as representations for constructing cell mechanisms Yin Chung Au; 8. Causation, time asymmetry, and causal mechanisms in the social sciences Inge de Bal and Erik Weber; 9. Temporalization in causal modeling Jonathan Livengood and Karen R. Zwier; 10. Reintroducing dynamics into static causal models Naftali Weinberger; 11. Overcoming the poverty of mechanisms in causal models David Jensen.
£57.99
Arcturus Publishing Meditations on First Philosophy and Other
Book Synopsis
£12.60
Cambridge Scholars Publishing From Fictionalism to Realism
Book SynopsisIn ontology, realism and anti-realism may be taken as opposite attitudes towards entities of different kinds, so that one may turn out to be a realist with respect to certain entities, and an anti-realist with respect to others.
£999.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc The Philosophy of Pseudoabsolute
Book SynopsisWhat are the absolute and relative? What are their specific features? What is the main distinction between them? An investigation into the roles of the terms absolute and relative as they pertain to human mentality is one of the most difficult problems of philosophy. The absolute and the relative denote independence and dependence, and any sphere of real essence cannot exist without a certain degree of independence and dependence (i.e., without the absolute and the relative). Every field of science implies a certain level of the absolute and relative. The author reviews and gives a detailed analysis of the structure of essence - real essence and special essences; he investigates the source of relativity in the empirical knowledge, pre-scientific knowledge, scientific knowledge and philosophical knowledge. It is presented that human knowledge is relative by itself, although in most cases, consciously or mainly unconsciously, humans creates the absolute, neglecting the relative nature of reality and take into consideration only absolute aspects in practical and mental activities. Thus, the absolute created is the psuedoabsolute, which, by virtue of its human origins, is relative. However, it functions in both the practical and theoretical life of homo sapiens as a genuine absolute. Hence, the psuedoabsolute is a relative absolutized by people. The psuedoabsolute is a dialectical unity of the absolute and relative and, as a "third reality," plays a great role in the spiritual life of humankind. The author presents his theory of the pseudoabsolute, its concept and form, and investigates the pseudoabsolute nature of the human mental world (cognition, value, faith) as one of its fundamental regularities. The whole range of problems of gnoseology, epistemology, axiology and religious faith are interpreted from the standpoint of the philosophy of the pseudoabsolute. The book represents a comprehensive account of the principles of the philosophy of the pseudoabsolute and is intended for readers interested in the issues of theoretical philosophy. It is also meant for a wide range of readers interested in the relative and absolute nature of human mentality.
£92.79
Nova Science Publishers Inc The Rational Human Condition: Volume 2 - Deep
Book SynopsisRobert Hannas The Rational Human Condition is a five-volume book series, including: Volume 1. Preface and General Introduction, Supplementary Essays, and General Bibliography Volume 2. Deep Freedom and Real Persons: A Study in Metaphysics Volume 3. Kantian Ethics and Human Existence: A Study in Moral Philosophy Volume 4. Kant, Agnosticism, and Anarchism: A Theological-Political Treatise Volume 5. Cognition, Content, and the A Priori: A Study in the Philosophy of Mind and Knowledge The fifth volume in the series, Cognition, Content, and the A Priori, was published by Oxford University Press in 2015. So, with the present publication of the first four volumes in the series by Nova Science in 2019, all five volumes of The Rational Human Condition are now available in hard-copy and as e-books. All five books share a common aim, which is to work out a true general theory of human rationality in a thoroughly nonideal natural and social world. This philosophical enterprise is what Hanna calls rational anthropology. In the eleventh and most famous of his Theses on Feuerbach, Marx wrote that philosophers have only interpreted the world in different ways; the point is to change it. Hanna completely agrees with Marx that the ultimate aim of philosophy is to change the world, not merely interpret it. So, Marx and Hanna are both philosophical liberationists: that is, they both believe that philosophy should have radical political implications. But, beyond Marx, Hanna also thinks that the primary aim of philosophy (understood as rational anthropology) and its practices of synoptic reflection, writing, teaching, and public conversation is to change lives for the betterand ultimately, for the sake of the highest good. Then, and only then, can the human race act upon the world in the right way. The four volumes of The Rational Human Condition will therefore appeal not only to philosophers, but also to any other philosophically-minded person interested in the intellectual and practical adventure of synoptic, reflective thinking about the nature of our rational, but still ineluctably human, all-too-human lives.
£195.19
Broadview Press Ltd Philosophy and Death: Introductory Readings
Book SynopsisPhilosophical reflection on death dates back to ancient times, but death remains a most profound and puzzling topic. Samantha Brennan and Robert Stainton have assembled a compelling selection of core readings from the philosophical literature on death. The views of ancient writers such as Plato, Epicurus, and Lucretius are set alongside the work of contemporary figures such as Thomas Nagel, John Perry, and Judith Jarvis Thomson.Brennan and Stainton divide the anthology into three parts. Part I considers questions about the nature of death and our knowledge of it. What does it mean to be dead? Is it possible to survive death? Is the end of life a mystery? Part II asks how we should view death. What (if anything) is so bad about dying? If death is nothingness, should it be feared or regretted? Part III examines ethical questions related to killing, particularly abortion, euthanasia and suicide. Is killing ever permissible? Under what conditions or circumstances?Trade Review“Most undergraduate philosophy programs feature a course which deals, at least in part, with issues of life and death: abortion, suicide, euthanasia, etc. Those of us who have taught such a course know the problem: how to locate a suitable collection of readings. Samantha Brennan and Rob Stainton have solved that problem. The essays in this volume cover the territory from the nature and badness of death to the ethics of killing. They suit my teaching needs exactly and probably will yours as well.” — Wayne Sumner, University Professor Emeritus of Law and Philosophy, University of Toronto“Philosophy and Death: Introductory Readings is an intriguing anthology that includes key texts, both ancient and recent, on the philosophy of death. It will enrich and respond to the interests many undergraduate students have concerning the nature of death and its implications for how we live our lives. The book includes articles on the broad epistemological, metaphysical, ethical, and axiological questions about death, coupled with applications to the topics of abortion, euthanasia, and suicide. This approach makes it relevant and useful to courses in both theoretical and applied philosophy.” — Christine Overall, Queen's University“Philosophy and Death is a well-organized, even-handed, and comprehensive anthology about the nature of death, personal identity, the evil of death, and the wrongness of killing. It consists of a sensible mix of contemporary and historical pieces, including well-known selections from Plato and Epicurus; classic articles on death, immortality, abortion and euthanasia by Nagel, Williams, Thomson, and Rachels; and other thought-provoking papers on resurrection, feminism, and the wrongness of killing animals. It is certain to be of great value to anyone teaching undergraduate courses on philosophical issues pertaining to death, and would also serve as a fine introduction to philosophical thought more generally.” — Benjamin Bradley, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Syracuse UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsIntroductionPart I: Epistemology, Metaphysics and DeathA. Epistemological IssuesPaul Edwards (1969). “Existentialism and Death: A Survey of Some Confusions and Absurdities”B. Personal Identity and Survival Plato. Excerpts from Phaedo John Perry (1978). Excerpts from A Dialogue on Personal Identity and Immortality Stephen T. Davis (1988). “Traditional Christian Belief in the Resurrection of the Body” C. The Nature of Death Louis Pojman (1992). “What is Death? The Crisis of Criteria” Jeff McMahan (1995). “The Metaphysics of Brain Death” Fred Feldman (1992). “The Enigma of Death” Part II: The Badness of DeathA. Ancient Reflections on the Badness of Death Epicurus. “Letter to Menoeceus” and “The Principal Doctrines” Titus Lucretius Carus. Excerpts from Book Three of On the Nature of Things B. Some Recent Responses Thomas Nagel (1979). “Death” Harry S. Silverstein (1980). “The Evil of Death” C. The Goodness of Immortality Bernard Williams (1973). “The Makropulos Case: Reflections on the Tedium of Immortality” John Martin Fischer (1994). “Why Immortality is Not So Bad” D. Gender and the Badness of DeathSamantha Brennan (2006). “Feminist PhilosophersTurn Their Thoughts to Death”Part III: The Ethics of KillingA. Three Case Studies in the Ethics of KillingAbortion Judith Jarvis Thomson (1971). “A Defense of Abortion” Don Marquis (1989). “Why Abortion is Immoral” Walter Sinnot-Armstrong (1999). “You Can’t Lose What YouAin’t Never Had: A Reply to Marquis on Abortion” Euthanasia James Rachels (1975). “Active and Passive Euthanasia” Bonnie Steinbock (1979). “The Intentional Termination of Life” Suicide Richard Brandt (1975). “The Morality and Rationality of Suicide” John Rawls, Judith Jarvis Thomson, Robert Nozick, Ronald Dworkin, T.M. Scanlon, and Thomas Nagel (1997). “Assisted Suicide:The Philosopher’s Brief” B. The Wrongness Of Killing Jonathan Glover (1977). “The Sanctity of Life” Jeff McMahan (2002). “The Wrongness of Killing and the Badness of Death” Samantha Brennan (2001). “The Badness of Death, the Wrongness of Killing, and the Moral Importance of Autonomy” Sources
£53.20
Broadview Press Ltd Discourse on Metaphysics and other Writings
Book SynopsisThis is an edition of what are arguably Leibniz’s three most important presentations of his metaphysical system: the Discourse on Metaphysics, from 1686, and The Principles of Nature and of Grace and The Monadology, from 1714. Based on the Latta and Montgomery translations and revised by the editor, these texts set out the essentials of Leibniz’s mature metaphysical views. The edition includes an introductory essay and a set of appendices of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century texts, which help illuminate and contextualize Leibniz’s ideas. Among these are extensive passages from Leibniz’s Theodicy, many of which are cited in The Monadology. Trade Review“Peter Loptson’s edition of classical translations of the Discourse in Metaphysics and some related texts makes accessible in convenient form three of Leibniz’s most essential philosophical studies, as well as some instructive supplemental materials. It also provides an informative introduction that helpfully contextualizes the relevant historical and philosophical background. The book will be welcomed by all Anglophones who study and teach the thought of this great philosopher.” — Nicholas Rescher, Distinguished University Professor of Philosophy, University of Pittsburgh“This is an excellent edition for students first encountering Leibniz’s difficult philosophical system. In addition to the three classic expressions of Leibniz’s metaphysics and epistemology, the editor provides a fascinating selection of texts that situate these works in their historical context. And of especially great value is Loptson’s excellent introduction—which can be read with profit by beginning students and Leibniz scholars alike.” — Brandon C. Look, University of KentuckyTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsIntroductionGottfried Wilhelm Leibniz: A Brief ChronologyA Note on the TextsDiscourse on MetaphysicsThe Principles of Nature and of Grace, Based on ReasonThe MonadologyAppendix A: From Anne, Viscountess Conway, Principles of the Most Ancient and Modern Philosophy (1690)Appendix B: From Antonie van Leeuwenhoek’s 1699 Letter to Antonio MagliabechiAppendix C: From Pierre Bayle, Historical and Critical Dictionary (1695-1702)Appendix D: From G.W. Leibniz, Theodicy (1710)Appendix E: From David Hume, An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding (1748)Appendix F: From Voltaire, Candide (1759)Appendix G: From Thomas Reid, Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man (1785)Further Reading and Select BibliographyIndex
£16.10
Broadview Press Ltd Introducing Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality
Book SynopsisThis book introduces the central issues of metaphysics and epistemology, from skepticism, justification, and perception to universals, personal identity, and free will. Though topically organized, the book integrates positions and examples from the history of philosophy. Plato, Descartes, and Leibniz are discussed alongside Quine, Kripke, and Haslanger. Peripheral ideas and related historical asides are offered in boxes interspersed within the text, providing further depth without disrupting the author’s lucid explanations of central themes and arguments. Original illustrations by Gillian Wilson are included throughout, giving interesting and clear visual representations of many of the book’s examples and thought experiments.Trade Review“Jack Crumley’s Introducing Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality hits the sweet spot for an introduction to metaphysics and epistemology. Engagingly written, the book provides an accessible overview of the field for the unfamiliar; yet there’s enough detailed discussion to complement many of the typical primary readings in a first-year or sophomore course. The book merits serious consideration as a textbook for university instructors.” — Phil Corkum, University of Alberta“This is one of the best introductory philosophy books currently on the market. The primary goal is to help novices understand complex philosophical issues. However, Professor Crumley does not hesitate to stimulate the interests of experts with his fascinating examples, written in an extremely engaging manner. I wish I had such a book when I was an undergraduate student.” — Prasanta S. Bandyopadhyay, Montana State University“Jack Crumley has written an excellent introduction to epistemology and metaphysics. It is very well organized and clearly and attractively written, covering the main topics from both historical and contemporary angles with great competence and deep learning. The text is graced with vivid examples, wonderful visual illustrations and insightful implications for domains other than philosophy. It is a book to be enjoyed not only by students and their teachers but also by a larger public. Even professional philosophers have a lot to learn from its pages, as I have. I recommend this text very enthusiastically.” — Radu J. Bogdan, Tulane University“Introducing Philosophy is beautifully written. Among its virtues is the delicate balance it presents between contemporary problems and their history. This leaves plenty of room for instructors to contribute with their own emphases and perspectives. I predict it will be widely used.” — Alirio Rosales, University of British Columbia and University of the Fraser ValleyTable of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1: SkepticismChapter 2: KnowledgeChapter 3: Theories of JustificationChapter 4: New Directions in EpistemologyChapter 5: PerceptionChapter 6: UniversalsChapter 7: ThingsChapter 8: The Nature of MindChapter 9: Personal IdentityChapter 10: Free WillChapter 11: God’s Nature & Existence
£35.10
Broadview Press Ltd An Introduction to Metaphysics
Book SynopsisAn Introduction to Metaphysics offers an engaging survey of central metaphysical topics, including truth, universals, the nature of mind, personal identity, free will, time, and the existence of God. The book is pitched at an intermediate undergraduate level and is suitable for students without background knowledge in these areas. Topically organized, it examines a variety of historical and contemporary positions relevant to each of the included themes. Memorable and amusing drawings by Gillian Wilson are interspersed throughout the text to illustrate concepts and examples.Trade ReviewJack Crumley's Introducing Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality hits the sweet spot for an introduction to metaphysics and epistemology. Engagingly written, the book provides an accessible overview of the field for the unfamiliar; yet there's enough detailed discussion to complement many of the typical primary readings in a first-year or sophomore course. The book merits serious consideration as a textbook for university instructors." - Phil Corkum, University of Alberta"Jack Crumley has written an excellent introduction to epistemology and metaphysics. It is very well organized and clearly and attractively written, covering the main topics from both historical and contemporary angles with great competence and deep learning. The text is graced with vivid examples, wonderful visual illustrations and insightful implications for domains other than philosophy. It is a book to be enjoyed not only by students and their teachers but also by a larger public. Even professional philosophers have a lot to learn from its pages, as I have. I recommend this text very enthusiastically." - Radu J. Bogdan, Tulane UniversityTable of Contents Chapter 1: Truth I – Three Classic Views Chapter 2: Truth II – The 20th Century, Necessity, and Possible Worlds Chapter 3: Realism and Antirealism Chapter 4: Universals Chapter 5: Things Chapter 6: The Nature of Mind Chapter 7: Personal Identity Chapter 8: Free Will Chapter 9: Time Chapter 10: God's Nature and Existence Chapter 11: Why is there Something rather than Nothing? Glossary
£29.66
Broadview Press Ltd Discourse on Method and Meditations on First
Book SynopsisThis volume provides new translations of René Descartes's two most important philosophical works. The Discourse offers a concise presentation and defense of Descartes' method of intellectual inquiry - a method that greatly influenced both philosophical and scientific reasoning in the early modern world. Considered a foundational text in modern philosophy, the Meditations presents numerous powerful arguments that to this day influence debates in epistemology, the philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of religion. Descartes's timeless writing strikes an uncommon balance of novelty and familiarity, offering arguments concerning knowledge, science, and metaphysics (including the famous 'I think, therefore I am') that are as compelling in the 21st century as they were in the 17th. Ian Johnston's translations are modern, clear, and thoroughly annotated, ideal for readers unfamiliar with Descartes's intellectual context. An approachable introduction engages both the historical and the philosophical aspects of the text, helping the reader to understand the concepts and arguments contained therein.Trade ReviewBroadview Press has produced an excellent translation of Descartes's famous Meditations on First Philosophy. It is accurate, philosophically sensitive, and it rivals any of the translations currently available. Andrew Bailey's introduction of the text, and his biography of Descartes, is a real plus, and will serve students well." - Kurt Smith, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania "A very helpful translation. The language is clear, and the supplementary material and notes lay out a cross-section of the interpretive debates, and provide tips for how a reader might approach them." - David Cunning, University of Iowa "Descartes was living and writing at a tumultuous time, and Bailey does a nice job of sketching the intellectual environment into which the Meditations was launched, while pre-emptively warding off a number of common misunderstandings of Descartes's aims." - Seth Bordner, University of AlabamaTable of Contents Introduction Who Was René Descartes? What Was Descartes's Overall Philosophical Project? Some Useful Background Information Some Common Misconceptions How Important and Influential Was Descartes's Work? Timeline Suggestions for Critical Reflection Suggestions for Further Reading Translator's Note What is the Structure of the Discourse?Discourse on the Method Preface Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six What is the Structure of the Meditations? Meditations on First Philosophy Dedication to the Sorbonne Preface to the Reader Synopsis of the Six Following Meditations First Meditation: Concerning Those Things Which Can Be Called into Doubt Second Meditation: Concerning the Nature of the Human Mind and the Fact that It Is Easier to Know than the Body Third Meditation: Concerning God and the Fact that He Exists Fourth Meditation: Concerning Truth and Falsity Fifth Meditation: Concerning the Essence of Material Things, and, Once Again, Concerning the Fact that God Exists Sixth Meditation: Concerning the Existence of Material Things and the Real Distinction between Mind and Body
£12.30
North Atlantic Books,U.S. Spacious Body: Explorations in Somatic Ontology
Book SynopsisIn Spacious Body, Jeffrey Maitland brings his knowledge and personal experience of Buddhism, phenomenology, alchemy, psychoanalysis, and the bodywork system of Rolfing to bear in forging concepts adequate to an understanding of embodied experience.
£14.99
Nova Science Publishers Inc Natural History of the Mind: New Views on the
Book SynopsisThis book is a simple explanation of how the mind evolved. One of the many interesting facts emerging from this study is that vision appeared long before there was any brain of significance. Perception therefore had to be direct awareness of forms, patterning, smells, and so on. Survival depended on sensory input being an immediate representation of reality. The world as seen could not have been something pieced together and mulled over in a brain which didn''t exist. Memory and learning are said to occur at a molecular level for much the same reasons. Today''s social insects exhibit enormously complex behaviour, yet their brains are microscopic. All such facts, gleaned from both the past and present, have a major impact upon theories about how our own minds operate.
£86.69
