Metaphysics

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Overview

This essential core text introduces readers to metaphysics. In thoughtful and engaging prose, Peter van Inwagen examines three profound questions; What are the most general features of the world? Why is there a world? And, what is the place of human beings in the world? The third edition includes an entirely new chapter on ontology. The new chapter presents a theory of the nature of being and proceeds to apply this theory to two problems of ontology; the problem of non-existent objects and the problem of ...
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Overview

This essential core text introduces readers to metaphysics. In thoughtful and engaging prose, Peter van Inwagen examines three profound questions; What are the most general features of the world? Why is there a world? And, what is the place of human beings in the world? The third edition includes an entirely new chapter on ontology. The new chapter presents a theory of the nature of being and proceeds to apply this theory to two problems of ontology; the problem of non-existent objects and the problem of universals. Equally valuable as a textbook in a university course or an introduction to metaphysical thinking for the interested layperson, Metaphysics remains a fascinating book for a wide range of readers, from first-time students to the most sophisticated philosophers.
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Editorial Reviews

Booknews
A textbook for an upper-level undergraduate course for students with no prior acquaintance with philosophy. Van Inwagen (philosophy, U. of Notre Dame) hopes that general readers might also find it enlightening, and for their benefit suggests further reading for each chapter. He does not mention a date for the first edition, but has added a chapter on time and made other changes. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781458781512
  • Publisher: ReadHowYouWant, LLC
  • Publication date: 8/9/2010
  • Edition number: 3
  • Pages: 724
  • Sales rank: 1,138,439
  • Product dimensions: 7.00 (w) x 10.00 (h) x 1.45 (d)

Meet the Author

Peter van Inwagen is the John Cardinal O'Hara Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame.

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Table of Contents

Preface to the First Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
1 Introduction 1
Pt. 1 The Way the World Is 19
2 Individuality 22
3 Externality 42
4 Temporality 56
5 Objectivity 73
Pt. 2 Why the World Is 87
6 Necessary Being: The Ontological Argument 91
7 Necessary Being: The Cosmological Argument 115
Pt. 3 The Inhabitants of the World 135
8 What Rational Beings Are There? 139
9 The Place of Rational Beings in the World: Design and Purpose 149
10 The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Physicalism 166
11 The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Personal Identity 187
12 The Powers of Rational Beings: Freedom of the Will 202
13 Concluding Meditation 218
Bibliography 221
Index 225
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