MetaphysicsAccepting the traditional definition of metaphysics as the study of ultimate reality, Peter van Inwagen builds this strikingly original textbook around three crucial questions: What are the most general features of the world? Why does the world exist? And what is the nature and place of rational beings in the world?In the informal but precise style for which he is known, van Inwagen surveys the classical answers to these questions while teaching his readers through example how to think about them more clearly and deeply on their own. By the end of the book, he has introduced most of the perennial topics of metaphysics, including appearance and reality, identity and individuation, objectivity, necessary existence, mind and body, teleology, and freedom of the will.Engaging and provocative, but always fair and reasonable, Metaphysics provides both a lucid guide to the study of First Questions and a paradigm of philosophical exposition. It will immediately take its place at the forefront of leading contemporary texts on metaphysics. |
Contents
THE WAY THE WORLD | 19 |
PART | 71 |
What Rational Beings Are There? | 122 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
actual world agent-cause Alfred answer anti-Realism anti-Realist argu atoms beliefs and assertions believe Berkeley body called carpet cause changes choice common objects Common Western Metaphysic compatibilism compatibilist concept conclusion contingent things cosmological argument cosmos Descartes Descartes's dualist dualistic interactionism duplicate event event-type example existential propositions experience explanation external relations external world fact false human organism human person hunk of matter identity impossible intrinsic properties Jane least look mean ment metaphysicians mind modal ontological argument modifications Monism Mount Everest mystery nature necessary existence necessary truth negmount non-physical things objective truth particles perfect Peter van Inwagen philosophers physical cosmology physical thing physicalist plausible Possible World Possible World Four premise Principle proposition question rational animals Realism reason seems sense ship shortest straw simply someone sort Spinoza statement stuff suppose Taj Mahal teleological argument theory thesis thought and sensation tion true universe word world-diagram