The Metaphysics Within Physics

by Tim Maudlin

Overview

What fundamental account of the world is implicit in physical theory? Physics straightforwardly postulates quarks and electrons, but what of the more intangible elements, such as laws of nature, universals, causation and the direction of time? Do they have a place in the physical structure of the world?

Tim Maudlin argues that the ontology derived from physics takes a form quite different from those most commonly defended by philosophers. Physics postulates irreducible fundamental laws, eschews universals, does not require a fundamental notion of causation, and makes room for the passage of time. In a series of linked essays The Metaphysics Within Physics outlines an approach to metaphysics opposed to the Humean reductionism that motivates much analytical metaphysics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199575374
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/18/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at Rutgers.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 A Modest Proposal Concerning Laws, Counterfacutals, and Explanations
Chapter 2 Why Be Humean
Chapter 3 Suggestions Form Physics For Deep Metaphysics
Chapter 4 On the Passing of Time
Chapter 5 Causation, Counterfactuals, and the Third Factor
Chapter 6 The Whole Ball of Wax

Epilogue: A Remark on the Method of Metaphysics

Editorial Reviews

"This is an elegantly written and enormously stimulating book. It is full of original, provocative, philosophical argumentation. Maudlin shows by example what it is to do the best kind of naturalized metaphysics: one based on thorough acquaintance with real science, but unwilling to accept a superficial analysis of how it bears on deep philosophical problems. Every metaphysician should read it and emulate Maudlin's method, even when disagreeing with his conclusions."—Richard Healey, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

From the Publisher