Description
Book SynopsisThis book defends a radical new theory of contingency as a physical phenomenon. Drawing on the many-worlds approach, it argues that quantum theories are best understood as telling us about the space of genuine possibilities, rather than as telling us solely about actuality.
Trade ReviewThis is a thoroughly stimulating and clearly written work that argues for a genuinely big idea ... I am keen to make clear that I learned a great deal from this book, and that I found much in it to agree with and more to admire. The Nature of Contingency deserves to be read by researchers in the many fields that it covers and will -- I expect -- be widely appreciated for the imaginative and impressive work that it is. * John Divers, Mind *
this is not only a rich and sophisticated work, but broad in its reach as well. And whether you agree with the Everett interpretation or not, or with Lewisian metaphysics, or not, Wilson's book actualises the possibility of a nuanced and erudite to-and-fro exchange between metaphysics and physics, to the benefit of both. * Steven French, Metascience *
he Nature of Contingency is an important book. It elegantly precisifies the tantalising analogy between Lewisian modal realism and Everettian quantum mechanics and is an impressive showcase for naturalistic metaphysics. * Samuel Kimpton-Nye, Philosophical Quarterly *
The Nature of Contingency is an invaluable source of how to properly do scientific metaphysics. * Raoni Wohnrath Arroyo, Erkenntnis *
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1: Analyzing Modality 2: Diverging Everettian Quantum Mechanics 3: Emergent Chance 4: Laws of Nature 5: Indeterminacy 6: Anthropic Contingency Conclusion: An Expanding Reality
