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.

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