Causation and universals /

Fales (University of Iowa) presents a realist, non-Humean theory of causal relations, and connects this theory with a version of Platonic realism about universals. Against Hume, Fales contends that the idea of a necessary connection between events does have a basis in experience--specifically, in the sensation of tactile pressure. Fales also argues that causation can be found in events outside of experience. He contends that the causal relations connecting physical universals to one another are essential to those universals, and give us the only means of identifying those universals. Fales gives a systematic development of this view of causation and universals, and pursues a range of topics in ontology and epistemology; e.g., the relation between causation and induction, the relation between causation and time, problems with nominalism, the doctrine of internal relations, realism about the external world, and truth as correspondence. The book interacts with much of the relevant contemporary literature, and avoids unnecessary technicalities. It is nicely organized and well written. Recommended for any college library supporting at least a major in philosophy. -P. K. Moser, Loyola University of Chicago