An Introduction to Metaphysics

by John W. Carroll , Ned Markosian

• ISBN13: 9780521533683
• ISBN10: 0521533686
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-05-17
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This book is an accessible introduction to the central themes of contemporary metaphysics. It carefully considers accounts of causation, freedom and determinism, laws of nature, personal identity, mental states, time, material objects, and properties, while inviting students to reflect on metaphysical problems. The philosophical questions discussed include: What makes it the case that one event causes another event? What are material objects? Given that material objects exist, do such things as properties exist? What makes it the case that a person may exist at two different times? An Introduction to Metaphysics makes these tough questions tractable by presenting the features and flaws of current attempts to answer them. Intended primarily for students taking a first class in metaphysics, this lucid and well-written text would also provide an excellent introduction for anyone interested in knowing more about this important area of philosophy.

Author Biography

John W. Carroll is Professor of Philosophy at North Carolina state University. He is the author of Laws of Nature (Cambridge, 1994).
Ned Markosian is Professor of Philosophy at Western Washington university.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Introduction	p. 1
Causation	p. 20
Freedom and Determinism	p. 45
Laws of nature	p. 79
Personal identity	p. 103
Mental states	p. 133
Time	p. 159
Material objects	p. 184
Properties	p. 227
Bibliography	p. 251
Index	p. 259
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