Contemporary Aristotelian Metaphysics
Contemporary Aristotelian Metaphysics
Aristotelian (or neo-Aristotelian) metaphysics is currently undergoing something of a renaissance. This volume brings together fourteen essays from leading philosophers who are sympathetic to this conception of metaphysics, which takes its cue from the idea that metaphysics is the first philosophy. The primary input from Aristotle is methodological, but many themes familiar from his metaphysics will be discussed, including ontological categories, the role and interpretation of the existential quantifier, essence, substance, natural kinds, powers, potential, and the development of life. The volume mounts a strong challenge to the type of ontological deflationism which has recently gained a strong foothold in analytic metaphysics. It will be a useful resource for scholars and advanced students who are interested in the foundations and development of philosophy.
- The first collection of new essays on neo-Aristotelian metaphysics
- The reader gets a glimpse of ongoing debates between many of the most distinguished philosophers in the field
- Opens the difficult field of the methodology of metaphysics to both newcomers and experts
Reviews & endorsements
"In this collection, many of the leaders of the neo-Aristotelian movement in analytic metaphysics have contributed brief papers that point to emerging developments in the field. The book will be of interest to anyone who wants to stay abreast of the progress being made by this significant group. The collection is especially strong on the questions of methodology and ontological categories..."
--Robert C. Koons, University of Texas at Austin, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
"...this book makes a number of powerful and original contributions to the literature on contemporary Aristotelian metaphysics."
---George Lăzăroiu, PhD, Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies in, Humanities and Social Sciences, New York, Review of Contemporary Philosophy
"...this collection is undoubtedly a remarkable addition to scholarship.... Tahko has succeeded in providing a stimulating presentation of what metaphysics is, according to contemporary Aristotelian philosophers."
--Luca Gili, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Vlaanderen, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
Product details
February 2012Adobe eBook Reader
9781139200332
0 pages
0kg
19 b/w illus. 1 table
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction Tuomas E. Tahko
- 2. What is metaphysics? Kit Fine
- 3. In defence of Aristotelian metaphysics Tuomas E. Tahko
- 4. Existence and quantification reconsidered Tim Crane
- 5. Identity, quantification, and number Eric T. Olson
- 6. Ontological categories Gary Rosenkrantz
- 7. Are any kinds ontologically fundamental? Alexander Bird
- 8. Are four categories two too many? John Heil
- 9. Categories: four and more Peter Simons
- 10. Neo-Aristotelianism and substance Joshua Hoffman
- 11. Developmental potential Louis M. Guenin
- 12. The origin of life and the definition of life Storrs McCall
- 13. Essence, necessity and explanation Kathrin Koslicki
- 14. No potency without actuality: the case of graph theory David S. Oderberg
- 15. A neo-Aristotelian substance ontology: neither relational nor constituent E. J. Lowe.
