Metaphysics, 3rd edition

This essential core text introduces readers to metaphysics. In thoughtful and engaging prose, Peter van Inwagen examines three profound questions: What are the most general features of the world? Why is there a world? And, what is the place of human beings in the world? The third edition includes an entirely new chapter on ontology. The new chapter presents a theory of the nature of being and proceeds to apply this theory to two problems of ontology: the problem of non-existent objects and the problem of universals. Equally valuable as a textbook in a university course or an introduction to metaphysical thinking for the interested layperson, Metaphysics remains a fascinating book for a wide range of readers, from first-time students to the most sophisticated philosophers. Contents 1. Introduction Part One: The Way the World Is 2. Individuality 3. Externality 4. Temporality 5. Objectivity Part Two: Why the World Is 6. Necessary Being: The Ontological Argument 7. Necessary Being: The Cosmological Argument Part Three: The Inhabitants of the World 8. What Rational Beings Are There? 9. The Place of Rational Beings in the World: Design and Purpose 10. The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Physicalism 11. The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Personal Identity 12. The Powers of Rational Beings: Freedom of the Will 13. Concluding Meditation 14. Coda: Being 0813343569......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Preface to the Third Edition......Page 10 1. Introduction......Page 12 INTRODUCTION......Page 34 2. Individuality......Page 38 3. Externality......Page 64 4. Temporality......Page 82 5. Objectivity......Page 104 PART TWO: WHY THE WORLD IS......Page 21 INTRODUCTION......Page 120 6. Necessary Being: The Ontological Argument......Page 126 7. Necessary Being: The Cosmological Argument......Page 156 INTRODUCTION......Page 180 8. What Rational Beings Are There?......Page 186 9. The Place of Rational Beings in the World: Design and Purpose......Page 198 10. The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Physicalism......Page 220 11. The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Personal Identity......Page 246 12. The Powers of Rational Beings: Freedom of the Will......Page 264 13. Concluding Meditation......Page 284 Coda: Being......Page 288 Bibliography......Page 326 B......Page 330 C......Page 331 F......Page 332 I......Page 333 L......Page 334 M......Page 335 P......Page 336 S......Page 338 T......Page 339 Y......Page 340 This essential core text introduces readers to metaphysics. In thoughtful and engaging prose, the author examines three profound questions : What are the most general features of the world? Why is there a world? And, what is the place of human beings in the world? The third edition includes an entirely new chapter on ontology. The new chapter presents a theory of the nature of being and proceeds to apply this theory to two problems of ontology : the problem of non-existent objects and the problem of universals. Equally valuable as a textbook in a university course or an introduction to metaphysical thinking for the interested layperson, Metaphysics remains a fascinating book for a wide range of readers, from first-time students to the most sophisticated philosophers. --Back cover "This core text introduces readers to metaphysics. Peter van Inwagen examines three profound questions: What are the most general features of the world? Why is there a world? And, what is the place of human beings in the world? The third edition includes an entirely new chapter on ontology. The new chapter presents a theory of the nature of being, and proceeds to apply this theory to two problems of ontology: the problem of non-existent objects and the problem of universals. Equally valuable as a textbook in a university course or an introduction to metaphysical thinking for the interested layperson, Metaphysics remains a fascinating book for a wide range of readers, from first-time students to the most sophisticated philosophers."--Jacket Preface to the Third Edition ix; 1 Introduction 1; PART ONE: THE WAY THE WORLD IS 23; INTRODUCTION 23; 2 Individuality 27; 3 Externality 53; 4 Temporality 71; 5 Objectivity 93; PART TWO: WHY THE WORLD IS 109; INTRODUCTION 109; 6 Necessary Being: The Ontological Argument 115; 7 Necessary Being: The Cosmological Argument 145; PART THREE: THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD 169; INTRODUCTION 169; 8 What Rational Beings Are There? 175; 9 The Place of Rational Beings in the World: Design and Purpose 187; 10 The Nature of Rational Beings: Dualism and Physicalism 209 This core text introducing readers to the field of metaphysics is now revised and updated with a new chapter on being.