Metaphysics Books

New and Published Books

1. Social Humanism

   A New Metaphysics

   By Brian Ellis

   Series: Routledge Studies in Ethics and Moral Theory

   In this book, Ellis argues that moral and political objectives are not independent of one other, and so must be pursued in tandem. Social humanism is a moral and political philosophy that does just this. As a political philosophy, it justifies the implementation and maintenance of many of the...

   Published May 15th 2012 by Routledge
2. Metaphysics and the Representational Fallacy

   By Heather Dyke

   Series: Routledge Studies in Contemporary Philosophy

   This book is an investigation into metaphysics: its aims, scope, methodology and practice. Dyke argues that metaphysics should take itself to be concerned with investigating the fundamental nature of reality, and suggests that the ontological significance of language has been grossly exaggerated in...

   Published May 14th 2012 by Routledge
3. The Semantics and Metaphysics of Natural Kinds

   Edited by Helen Beebee, Nigel Sabbarton-Leary

   Series: Routledge Studies in Metaphysics

   Essentialism--roughly, the view that natural kinds have discrete essences, generating truths that are necessary but knowable only a posteriori--is an increasingly popular view in the metaphysics of science. At the same time, philosophers of language have been subjecting Kripke’s views about the...

   Published April 19th 2012 by Routledge
4. Dynamic Embodiment for Social Theory

   "I move therefore I am"

   By Brenda Farnell

   Series: Ontological Explorations

   This book presents a series of ontological investigations into an adequate theory of embodiment for the social sciences. Informed by a new realist philosophy of causal powers, it seeks to articulate a concept of dynamic embodiment, one that positions human body movement, and not just ‘the body’ at...

   Published February 22nd 2012 by Routledge
5. Properties, Powers and Structures

   Issues in the Metaphysics of Realism

   Edited by Alexander Bird, Brian Ellis, Howard Sankey

   Series: Routledge Studies in Metaphysics

   While the phrase "metaphysics of science" has been used from time to time, it has only recently begun to denote a specific research area where metaphysics meets philosophy of science—and the sciences themselves. The essays in this volume demonstrate that metaphysics of science is an innovative...

   Published December 20th 2011 by Routledge
6. Platonism, Naturalism, and Mathematical Knowledge

   By James Robert Brown

   Series: Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Science

   This study addresses a central theme in current philosophy: Platonism vs Naturalism and provides accounts of both approaches to mathematics, crucially discussing Quine, Maddy, Kitcher, Lakoff, Colyvan, and many others. Beginning with accounts of both approaches, Brown defends Platonism by arguing...

   Published December 12th 2011 by Routledge
7. The Future of the Philosophy of Time

   Edited by Adrian Bardon

   Series: Routledge Studies in Metaphysics

   The last century has seen enormous progress in our understanding of time. This volume features original essays by the foremost philosophers of time discussing the goals and methodology of the philosophy of time, and examining the best way to move forward with regard to the field's core issues. The...

   Published October 16th 2011 by Routledge
8. The Routledge Companion to Metaphysics

   Edited by Robin Le Poidevin, Peter Simons, Andrew McGonigal, Ross Cameron

   Series: Routledge Philosophy Companions

   The Routledge Companion to Metaphysics is an outstanding, comprehensive and accessible guide to the major themes, thinkers, and issues in metaphysics. The Companion features over fifty specially commissioned chapters from international scholars which are organized into three clear parts: History...

   Published August 3rd 2011 by Routledge
9. Philosophy of Science

   A Contemporary Introduction, 3rd Edition

   By Alex Rosenberg

   Series: Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy

   Any serious student attempting to better understand the nature, methods and justification of science will value Alex Rosenberg’s updated and substantially revised Third Edition of Philosophy of Science: A Contemporary Introduction. Weaving together lucid explanations and clear analyses, the volume...

   Published July 11th 2011 by Routledge
10. Contradictions of Archaeological Theory

    Engaging Critical Realism and Archaeological Theory

    By Sandra Wallace

    Series: Critical Realism: Interventions

    Is current archaeological theory stuck at an impasse? Sandra Wallace argues that archaeological theory has become mired as a result of logical and ontological contradictions. By showing that these contradictions are a result of common underlying philosophical assumptions and fallacies this book is...

    Published June 8th 2011 by Routledge