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The Physical Basis of Predication

Andrew Newman author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:27th Jun '07

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The Physical Basis of Predication cover

This book is about the basic metaphysical concepts which apply to the world dealt with by natural science.

This book is about the basic metaphysical concepts which apply to the world dealt with by natural science and how they have a basis in simple scientific properties and causal relations.In this book about metaphysics the author defends a realistic view of universals, characterizing the notion of universal by considering language and logic, the idea of possibility, hierarchies of universals, and causation. He argues that neither language nor logic is a reliable guide to the nature of reality and that basic universals are the fundamental type of universal and are central to causation. All assertions and predications about the natural world are ultimately founded on these basic universals. A distinction is drawn between unified particulars (which reveal natural principle of unity) and arbitrary particulars (which lack such a principle); unified particulars are the terms of causal relations and thus the real constituents of the world. The world is not made up of events but of unified particulars and basic universals.

"Newman's presentation of his own theory is thorough and solidly argued, and his criticisms of rival doctrines are generally quite persuasive." Review of Metaphysics
"Throughout, the book is very clearly written, and shows an impressive grasp of the relevant literature." Sydney Shoemaker, Cornell University

ISBN: 9780521037617

Dimensions: 215mm x 133mm x 16mm

Weight: 384g

288 pages