3rd Edition

What is this thing called Metaphysics?

By Brian Garrett Copyright 2017
    174 Pages
    by Routledge

    174 Pages
    by Routledge

    How did our universe come to be? Does God exist? Does time flow? What are we? Do we have free will? What is truth? Metaphysics is concerned with the nature of ourselves and the world around us. This clear and accessible introduction covers the central topics in metaphysics in a concise but comprehensive way. Brian Garrett discusses the crucial concepts and arguments of metaphysics in a highly readable manner. He addresses the following key areas of metaphysics:

    • God

    • Existence

    • Modality

    • Universals and particulars

    • Facts

    • Causation

    • Time

    • Puzzles of material constitution

    • Free will & determinism

    • Fatalism

    • Personal identity

    • Truth

    This third edition has been thoroughly revised. Most chapters include new and updated material, and there are now two chapters devoted to attacks on free will and fatalism.

    What is this thing called Metaphysics? contains many helpful student-friendly features, such as a glossary of important terms, study questions, annotated further reading, and a guide to web resources. Text boxes provide bite-sized summaries of key concepts and major philosophers, and clear and interesting examples are used throughout.

    Preface to the third edition Introduction 1. God 2. What are we? 3. Existence 4. Modality 5. Objects and Properties 6. Causation 7. Time: The Fundamental Issue 8. Time: Three Puzzles 9. Fatalism 10. Freewill and Determinism 11. Puzzles of Material Constitution and Identity 12. Facts 13. Truth Glossary Index

    Biography

    Brian Garrett is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the Australian National University, Australia.

    "Accessible, clearly written, up-to-date and engaging, this third edition of What is this thing called Metaphysics? is the best introduction to metaphysics for beginners. It covers a wide range of topics, gives valuable guidance for further reading and is often provocative". Ghislain Guigon, University of Geneva, Switzerland.