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This book is an introduction to metaphysics. It presupposes no previous acquaintance with philosophy, and addresses the following questions: What is metaphysics? Is there a plurality of things, or is there only one thing? Is there an external world, a world of things that exist independently of human thought and sensation? What is time? Is there such a thing as objective truth? Why is there something rather than nothing? Does our existence have a meaning? Are we physical or non-physical beings? Do we have free will? Are there things that do not exist? Do universals exist?
This Fifth Edition differs from the Fourth in that the long, previously difficult chapter on time has been extensively rewritten, making it much more accessible and engaging for the student reader. In addition, the author has enhanced clarity throughout the text with improvements to word choice, sentence structure, and paragraph lucidity. Finally, the Notes and Suggestions for Further Reading at the end of each chapter and the General Bibliography have all been brought up to date.
Key Features:
- Presupposes no prior acquaintance with philosophy, making the book ideal for the undergraduate student or interested general reader
- Offers 13 chapters, organized into three parts and each with its own introduction:
- The Way the World Is
- Why the World Is
- The Inhabitants of the World
- Incorporates extensive revisions to Chapter 4 on temporality
- Includes updates to the Chapter Notes and Suggestions for Further Reading as well as to the General Bibliography
List of contents
Preface to the Fifth Edition 1. Introduction Part I: The Way the World is 2. Individuality 3. Externality 4. Temporality 5. Objectivity Part II: Why the World is 6. Necessary Being: The Ontological Argument 7. Necessary Being: The Cosmological Argument Part III: 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 Coda: Being
About the author
Peter van Inwagen is the John Cardinal O’Hara Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame and research professor of Philosophy at Duke University. He is the author of An Essay on Free Will (1983), Material Beings (1990), Being: A Study in Ontology (2022), and seven other books. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Gifford Lecturer, and the recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of St Andrews.
Summary
This book is an introduction to metaphysics and it presupposes no previous acquaintance with philosophy. Updates include extensive rewriting of the chapter on time, enhanced clarity throughout the text, updated notes and suggested reading throughout.
