Table of Contents
Preface to First Edition xi
Preface to Second Edition xiii
Preface to Third Edition xiv
Preface to Fourth Edition xv
Introduction 1
Overview 1
The Nature of Metaphysics-Some Historical Reflections 2
Metaphysics as Category Theory 10
Notes 15
Further Reading 15
1 The Problem of Universals I: Metaphysical Realism 17
Overview 17
Realism and Nominalism 17
The Ontology of Metaphysical Realism 19
Realism and Predication 21
Realism and Abstract Reference 26
Restrictions on Realism-Exemplification 29
Further Restrictions-Defined and Undefined Predicates 35
Are There Any Unexemplified Attributes? 39
Notes 42
Further Reading 44
2 The Problem of Universals II: Nominalism 45
Overview 45
The Motivation for Nominalism 45
Austere Nominalism 45
Metalinguistic Nominalism 60
Trope Theory 70
Fictionalism 77
Notes 79
Further Reading 81
3 Concrete Particulars I: Substrata, Bundles, and Substances 82
Overview 82
Substratum and Bundle Theories 83
An Objection to the Bundle Theory-Subject-Predicate Discourse 90
Another Objection to the Bundle Theory-the Identity of Indiscernibles 94
An Argument for the Substratum Theory 99
Problems for the Substratum Theory 101
Aristotelian Substances 104
Notes 114
Further Reading 116
4 Propositions and Their Neighbors 118
Overview 118
The Traditional Theory of Propositions 118
Nominalism about Propositions 127
Facts, States of Affairs, and Events 139
Notes 146
Further Reading 148
5 The Necessary and the Possible 149
Overview 149
Problems about Modality 150
Possible Worlds 154
Possible Worlds Nominalism 157
The Metaphysics of Possible Worlds Nominalism-David Lewis 162
Actualism and Possible Worlds-Alvin Plantinga 168
Notes 179
Further Reading 180
6 Causation 181
Overview 181
Hume's Account of Causation 181
The Response to Hume 186
Neo-Humean Approaches 189
Notes 196
Further Reading 197
7 The Nature of Time 198
Overview 198
McTaggart's Argument 198
The B-Theory 205
The A-Theory 209
The New B-Theory 216
Notes 221
Further Reading 222
8 Concrete Particulars II: Persistence through Time 223
Overview 223
Two Theories of Persistence-Endurantism and Perdurantism 223
Persistence and the Nature of Time 227
The Ontology of Perdurantism 231
An Argument for Perdurantism-Change in Properties 235
A Second Argument for Perdurantism-Change in Parts 239
Notes 248
Further Reading 249
9 Concrete Particulars III: Parts and Wholes 250
Overview 250
The Problem of the Many 251
Mereological Nihilism 253
Mereological Moderatism 255
Mereological Universalism 263
Constitution Metaphysics 264
Partism 267
Relative Identity 269
Simple Universalism 271
Notes 275
Further Reading 278
10 Metaphysical Indeterminacy 279
Overview 279
What Is Metaphysical Indeterminacy? 280
Epistemic Indeterminacy 283
Examples of Metaphysical Indeterminacy? 287
Composition and Metaphysical indeterminacy 287
Future Contingents and Metaphysical Indeterminacy 290
Quantum Physics and Metaphysical Indeterminacy 292
Linguistic and Metaphysical Indeterminacy 292
Moral Indeterminacy and Metaphysical Indeterminacy 294
Evans's Argument Against Vague Identity 295
Notes 301
Further Reading 303
11 The Challenge of Anti-Realism 304
Overview 304
Two Views about the Nature of Reality 304
Dummett's Anti-Realist 310
The Inscrutability of Reference 317
Putnam's Anti-Realism 323
Realism or Anti-Realism? 328
Notes 337
Further Reading 338
Bibliography 339
Index 350
