Varieties of Things

Foundations of Contemporary Metaphysics

Cynthia Macdonald author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Published:19th Aug '05

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Varieties of Things cover

Varieties of Things: Foundations of Contemporary Metaphysics is about some of the most fundamental kinds of things that there are; the things that we encounter in everyday experience.

  • A book about the things that we encounter in everyday experience.
  • Contains a thorough and accessible discussion of the nature and aims of metaphysics.
  • Examines a wide range of ontological categories, including both particulars and universals.
  • Mounts a forceful and persuasive case for anti-reductionism.
  • <

"[This] book is well written in a no-nonsense style. First Rate." (The Philosophical Quarterly)

"An exceptionally good introduction and tour through central topics in contemporary metaphysics. The book could easily be used alone for an upper level course in metaphysics or as a commentary alongside original articles. It is written clearly, with illuminating examples and engaging discussion." (Review of Metaphysics)

"Macdonald's Varieties of Things: Foundations of Contemporary Metaphysics is an excellent study in ontology. It provides a descriptive metaphysical account of the ontology of material substances, persons, events, and universals. While the book provides a sophisticated account of the issues, it is written in a way that makes it accessible to an advanced undergraduate student audience. And given its novel defenses of some positions, it will also be of considerable interest to professional philosophers working on the issues"
Brian McLaughlin, Rutgers University

"Amongst the book’s most notable virtues are its clarity and the author’s careful attention to detail in setting out arguments and counter-arguments for various positions. The opening chapters on the nature of metaphysics are excellent. The later chapters on material substances, persons, events, and universals are thorough, closely argued and well informed."
Jonathan Lowe, University of Durham

ISBN: 9780631186946

Dimensions: 250mm x 100mm x 15mm

Weight: 567g

292 pages