A World of States of Affairs (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy)

In this important study D. M. Armstrong offers a comprehensive system of analytical metaphysics that synthesises but also develops his thinking over the last twenty years. Armstrong's analysis, which acknowledges the 'logical atomism' of Russell and Wittgenstein, makes facts (or states of affairs, as the author calls them) the fundamental constituents of the world, examining properties, relations, numbers, classes, possibility and necessity, dispositions, causes and laws. All these, it is argued, find their place and can be understood inside a scheme of states of affairs. This is a comprehensive and rigorously this-worldly account of the most general features of reality, argued from a distinctive philosophical perspective, and it will appeal to a wide readership in analytical philosophy. In This Important Study David Armstrong Offers A Comprehensive System Of Analytical Metaphysics That Synthesizes But Also Develops His Thinking Over The Last Twenty Years. Armstrong's Analysis, Which Acknowledges The 'logical Atomism' Of Russell And Wittgenstein, Makes Facts (or States Of Affairs, As The Author Calls Them) The Fundamental Constituents Of The World, Examining Properties, Relations, Numbers, Classes, Possibility And Necessity, Dispositions, Causes And Laws. All These, It Is Argued, Find Their Place And Can Be Understood Inside A Scheme Of States Of Affairs. This Is A Comprehensive And Rigorously This-worldly Account Of The Most General Features Of Reality, Argued From A Distinctive Philosophical Perspective, And It Will Appeal To A Wide Readership In Analytical Philosophy. 1. Introduction -- 2. Some Preliminary Doctrines -- 3. Properties I -- 4. Properties Ii -- 5. Powers And Dispositions -- 6. Relations -- 7. Particulars -- 8. States Of Affairs -- 9. Independence -- 10. Modality -- 11. Number -- 12. Classes -- 13. Totality States Of Affairs -- 14. Singular Causation -- 15. Laws I -- 16. Laws Ii -- 17. The Unity Of The World. D.m. Armstrong. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 270-276) And Index. "In this important study David Armstrong offers a comprehensive system of analytical metaphysics that synthesizes but also develops his thinking over the last twenty years. Armstrong's analysis, which acknowledges the 'logical atomism' of Russell and Wittgenstein, makes facts (or states of affairs, as the author calls them) the fundamental constituents of the world, examining properties, relations, numbers, classes, possibility and necessity, dispositions, causes and laws. All these, it is argued, find their place and can be understood inside a scheme of states of affairs. This is a comprehensive and rigorously this-worldly account of the most general features of reality, argued from a distinctive philosophical perspective, and it will appeal to a wide readership in analytical philosophy."--Jacket In this important study David Armstrong offers a comprehensive system of analytical metaphysics that synthesizes but also develops his thinking over the last twenty years. Armonstrong's analysis, which acknowledges the 'logical atomism' of Russell and Wittgenstein, makes facts (or states of affairs, as the author calls them) the fundamental constituents of the world, examining properties, relations, numbers, classes, possibility and necessity, dispositions, causes and laws. All these, it is argued, find their place and can be understood inside a scheme of states of affairs. This is a comprehensive and rigorously this-worldly account of the most general features of reality, argued from a distinctive philosophical perspective, and it will appeal to a wide readership in analytical philosophy. In this important study D. M. Armstrong offers a comprehensive system of analytical metaphysics that synthesizes but also develops his thinking over the past twenty years. Armstrong's analysis, which acknowledges the "logical atomism" of Russell and Wittgenstein, makes facts (or states of affairs, as the author calls them) the fundamental constituents of the world, examining properties, relations, numbers, classes, possibility and necessity, dispositions, causes and laws. It will appeal to a wide readership in analytical philosophy. Cover 1 Half-title 4 Cambridge Studies in Philosophy 5 Title 6 Copyright 7 Dedication 8 Epigraph 9 Contents 10 Preface 12 1 Introduction 16 2 Some preliminary doctrines 26 3 Properties I 34 4 Properties II 62 5 Powers and dispositions 84 6 Relations 100 7 Particulars 110 8 States of affairs 128 9 Independence 154 10 Modality 163 11 Number 190 12 Classes 200 13 Totality states of affairs 211 14 Singular causation 217 15 Laws I 235 16 Laws II 257 17 The unity of the world 278 References 285 Index 292

offers A Comprehensive System Of Analytical Metaphysics, Argued From A Distinctive Philosophical Perspective.