Reality : : Fundamental Topics in Metaphysics / / Peter J. Loptson.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter UTP eBook-Package Backlist 2000-2015
• VerfasserIn: Loptson, Peter J.,
• Place / Publishing House: Toronto : : University of Toronto Press, , [2017]; ©2001
• Year of Publication: 2017
• Language: English
• Series: Toronto Studies in Philosophy
• Physical Description: 1 online resource

In this compelling work, Peter Lopston provides an accessible exploration of the major topics in metaphysics. He considers problems such as essence, existence, substance, purpose, space, time, mind, causality, God, freedom and the possibilities of immortality. In addition, he looks at the major historical metaphysical systems and defends the metaphysical project as a whole.The book offers both historical and contemporary perspectives and includes Lopston's lucid arguments, in which he propounds a naturalist and common-sense view of the world. Lopston defends the ineliminability and the logical or categoreal mutual irreducibility of individual substances; he advocates an empiricist view of space but a rationalist view of time; and he presents a treatment of possible worlds that limits them to cases with only actual members. In a special contribution he explores the idea of metaphysical luck, which leads to puzzling and significant results.Replete with historical references, explanations of terminology, and directional signposts, the book provides an excellent companion to metaphysical studies - filling a gap for scholars and specialists in this field.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1 What Is Metaphysics -- 2 Metaphysics and Its Critics: Realism, Antirealism, and the Possibility of Metaphysics -- 3 Metaphysical Systems -- 4 Categories and First Principles -- 5 Existence -- 6 Essence and Possible Worlds -- 7 Substance -- 8 Universals -- 9 Space -- 10 Time -- 11 Causality -- 12 Purpose -- 13 Persons, Personal Identity, and Metaphysical Luck -- 14 Mind -- 15 God -- 16 Freedom and Determinism -- 17 Immortality -- Notes -- Works Cited -- Index