Possibility [Hardcover]

Michael Jubien (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0199232784 | ISBN-13: 978-0199232789 | Publication Date: May 15, 2009

Possibility offers a new analysis of the metaphysical concepts of possibility and necessity, one that does not rely on any sort of "possible worlds." The analysis proceeds from an account of the notion of a physical object and from the positing of properties and relations. It is motivated by considerations about how we actually speak of and think of objects. Michael Jubien discusses several closely related topics, including different purported varieties of possible worlds, the doctrine of "essentialism," natural kind terms and alleged examples of necessity a posteriori. The book also offers a new theory of the functioning of proper names, both actual and fictional, and the discussion of natural kind terms and necessity a posteriori depends in part on this theory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Displays a philosophical integrity that makes for an engaging and rewarding piece of metaphysics. It will provide fertile ground for thinking about the philosopher's paradise of possible worlds. Possibility is packed full of rich ideas Richard Woodward, The Philosophical Quarterly an excellent example of the contemporary approach in which the philosopher puts metaphysics first... The degree of clarity of intent and execution is such that there is (I think) little scope for the author to be misunderstood... [an] impressive, serious, and substantive contribution to the literature on modality. John Divers, Mind

About the Author

Michael Jubien majored in mathematics and minored in philosophy at Dartmouth College. He received the Ph.D. in philosophy and logic from the Rockefeller University in 1972 under the direction of Saul Kripke. He has taught at the University of Illinois, Chicago, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, the University of California, Davis, and is currently Professor of Philosophy at the University of Florida. He is the author of Ontology, Modality, and the Fallacy of Reference (Cambridge University Press, 1993) and Contemporary Metaphysics (Blackwell Publishers, 1997).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199232784
• ISBN-13: 978-0199232789
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,313,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.