ABSTRACT

‘Informative, accessible, and fun to read— this is an excellent reference guide for undergraduates and anyone wanting an introduction to the fundamental issues of metaphysics. I know of no other resource like it.’– Meghan Griffith, Davidson College, USA

'Marvellous! This book provides the very best place to start for students wanting to take the first step into understanding metaphysics.Undergraduates would do well to buy it and consult it regularly. The quality and clarity of the material are consistently high.' – Chris Daly, University of Manchester, UK

Ever wondered about Gunk, Brains in a Vat or Frankfurt’s Nefarious Neurosurgeon?

With complete explanations of these terms and more, Metaphysics: The Key Concepts is an accessible and engaging introduction to the most widely studied and challenging concepts in metaphysics. The authors clearly and lucidly define and discuss key terms and concepts, under the themes of:

  • time
  • particulars & universals
  • realism & antirealism
  • free will
  • personal identity
  • causation and laws.

Arranged in an easy to use A-Z format, each concept is explored and illustrated with engaging and memorable examples, and accompanied by an up-to-date guide to further reading. Fully cross-referenced throughout, this remarkable reference guide is essential reading for students of philosophy and all those interested in the nature of reality.

chapter |2 pages

METAPHYSICS The Key Concepts

chapter |14 pages

ABSTRACT VS CONCRETE

chapter |52 pages

BODILY CONTINUITY

chapter |1 pages

EXISTENCE

chapter |5 pages

EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY

chapter |9 pages

FISSION

chapter |1 pages

FUSION, MEREOLOGICAL

chapter |4 pages

GLOBAL REALISM

chapter |1 pages

HAECCEITISM

chapter |18 pages

HARD DETERMINISM

chapter |3 pages

INSTANTIATION

chapter |1 pages

INUS CONDITIONS

chapter |9 pages

KANT, IMMANUEL

chapter |1 pages

MEREOLOGY

chapter |10 pages

Nomenclature

chapter |2 pages

MORAL RESPONSIBILITY

chapter |15 pages

MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY THESIS

chapter |5 pages

NUMBERS

chapter |3 pages

OSTRICH NOMINALISM

chapter |32 pages

PARTICIPATION

chapter |7 pages

PROBABILITY

chapter |10 pages

PROPER PART

chapter |11 pages

What is the best theory?

chapter |8 pages

REDUNDANT CAUSATION

chapter |3 pages

RESEMBLANCE NOMINALISM

chapter |3 pages

SCEPTICISM

chapter |2 pages

SIMPLE

chapter |2 pages

SINGULAR CAUSAL SENTENCES

chapter |1 pages

SORTALS

chapter |3 pages

SPECIAL COMPOSITION QUESTION

chapter |11 pages

SUBSTANCE-ATTRIBUTE THEORY

chapter |3 pages

THOUGHT EXPERIMENT

chapter |1 pages

TIME TRAVEL

chapter |16 pages

TOKEN-LEVEL CAUSATION