Description
Book SynopsisThis collection brings together key contemporary texts in metaphysics and features an interactive commentary which helps readers engage the texts critically and to use them to develop their own views.
- Each text is followed by a detailed commentary, setting it in context
- Includes questions designed to help readers think hard about what the author is saying and why, to think of objections, and to formulate his or her own views
- Aims to improve the reader''s ability to engage critically with philosophical texts, and to use them as a springboard for philosophical thought and writing
- Introduces readers to the perennial problems of metaphysics and the ways that different analytic philosophers have approached them
Trade Review“A book that speaks directly to students. By combining accessible text selections with insightful commentary, clear graphic devices for navigating within each chapter, and thoughtful questions, this new collection provides an invaluable teaching tool for major areas of contemporary metaphysics.”
Dale Jacquette, The Pennsylvania State University “Reading Metaphysics is the perfect hybrid of an attentively edited anthology and a lucidly instructive textbook. Instead of overwhelming us with dozens of selections, the editors have expertly chosen a small number of contemporary readings, thus giving readers the time to probe deeply into the selected topics and, more importantly, the time to learn how to take apart and interact with a philosophical text. While the readings are well-selected, the true strength of this book lies in the editors’ commentary. Students will leave this book ready, and eager, to take on more metaphysics and teachers will notice a marked improvement in their students’ philosophical ability.”
Andrew P. Mills, Otterbein College
Table of ContentsSources and Acknowledgements viii
Introduction 1
1 Personal Identity 9
Introduction 9
Derek Parfit, ‘Personal Identity’ 13
Commentary on Parfit 30
Marya Schechtman, ‘Personhood and Personal Identity’ 36
Commentary on Schechtman 54
Further Reading 59
Essay Questions 59
2 Free Will 60
Introduction 60
Peter van Inwagen, ‘The Incompatibility of Free Will and Determinism’ 62
Commentary on van Inwagen 75
Daniel Dennett, ‘Could Have Done Otherwise’ (extract from Elbow Room) 82
Commentary on Dennett 93
Further Reading 97
Essay Questions 97
Appendix 98
3 Realism and Anti-realism 100
Introduction 100
Donald Davidson, ‘On the Very Idea of a Conceptual Scheme’ 106
Commentary on Davidson 117
Thomas Nagel, ‘Thought and Reality’ (extract from The View from Nowhere) 125
Commentary on Nagel 139
Further reading 145
Essay questions 145
4 Realism and Nominalism 146
Introduction 146
Michael Devitt, ‘ ‘‘Ostrich Nominalism’’or ‘‘Mirage Realism’’?’ 150
Commentary on Devitt 157
D. M. Armstrong, ‘Against ‘‘Ostrich’’ Nominalism: A Reply to Michael Devitt’ 160
Commentary on Armstrong 170
Further reading 173
Essay questions 174
5 Possible Worlds 175
Introduction 175
David Lewis, extract from Counterfactuals 183
Commentary on Lewis 187
Saul Kripke, extract from Naming and Necessity 192
Commentary on Kripke 197
Further reading 203
Essay questions 203
6 Persistence over Time 204
Introduction 204
David Lewis, extract from On the Plurality of Worlds 209
Commentary on Lewis 212
Sally Haslanger, ‘Endurance and Temporary Intrinsics’ 214
Commentary on Haslanger 220
David Lewis, ‘Tensing the Copula’ 223
Commentary on Lewis 230
Further reading 233
Essay questions 233
Bibliography 234
Index 240
