Reality : fundamental topics in metaphysics /

Reality : fundamental topics in metaphysics /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:	Loptson, Peter, author.
Imprint:	Toronto, Ont. : University of Toronto Press, ©2001.
Description:	1 online resource (xiii, 305 pages).
Language:	English
Series:	Toronto studies in philosophy Toronto studies in philosophy.
Subject:	Metaphysics. Metaphysics. Electronic books.
Format:	E-Resource Book
URL for this record:	http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/11184228

Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:	9781442679047 1442679042 1282033654 9781282033658 0802048161 9780802048165
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 295-300) and index. Print version record.
Summary:	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 Replete with historical references, explanations of terminology, and directional signposts, the book provides an excellent companion to metaphysical studies - filling a gap for scholars and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.
Other form:	Print version: Loptson, Peter. Reality. Toronto, Ont. : University of Toronto Press, ©2001 9786612033650

Table of Contents:

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.