Arguing About Metaphysics (Arguing About Philosophy) [Hardcover]

Michael C. Rea (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415958253 | ISBN-13: 978-0415958257 | Publication Date: January 6, 2009 | Edition: 1

Arguing about Metaphysics is a wide-ranging anthology that introduces students to one of the most fundamental areas of philosophy. It covers core topics in metaphysics such as personal identity, the nature of being, time, and the concept of freedom. The volume contains scholarly articles by Quine, Lewis, van Inwagen and Pereboom, as well short works of science fiction that illustrate key ideas in metaphysics.

The volume is divided into five parts, helping the student get to grips with classic and core arguments and emerging debates in:

- On What There Is

- Time and Time Travel

- Change and Identity

- Freedom

- Worlds and Worldmaking

Michael C. Rea provides lucid introductions to each section, giving an overview of the debate and outlining the arguments of each sections readings. Arguing About Metaphysics is a comprehensive and engaging reader for students who are new to philosophy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Rea's Arguing About Metaphysics is an excellent anthology which combines rigorous yet accessible essays in contemporary metaphysics with philosophically sophisticated and entertaining pieces of fiction. The result is an engaging and challenging volume certain to stimulate and introduce the philosophical novice to the delights of serious exploration in five central areas of metaphysics." – Hud Hudson, Western Washington University, USA

 

“Arguing About Metaphysics is Michael Rea’s engaging addition to Routledge’s well-regarded Arguing About Philosophy series. There are many ways in which this anthology gets it just right, and one would be hard pressed to find a better selection of readings. . . . Michael Rea has put together a very fine anthology. He has picked five classical areas of investigation in metaphysics, and within each of those selections presents first-class investigations of various issues within the larger categories.”
-Patrick Beach in Teaching Philosophy (June 2010)

About the Author

Michael C. Rea is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Center for Philosophy of Religion at Notre Dame.  He is the author of World Without Design: The Ontological Consequences of Naturalism (2002) and co-author of Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (2008).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415958253
• ISBN-13: 978-0415958257
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,987,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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5.0 out of 5 stars school text, January 13, 2012

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This review is from: Arguing About Metaphysics (Arguing About Philosophy) (Paperback)

Although this book was for a class, it did have some very interesting pieces that aren't bad reading for no reason. I kept mine instead of selling back at the end of the semester, if that means anything.