A Survey of Metaphysics [Paperback]

E. J. Lowe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0198752539 | ISBN-13: 978-0198752530

A systematic overview of modern metaphysics, A Survey of Metaphysics covers all of the most important topics in the field. It adopts the fairly traditional conception of metaphysics as a subject that deals with the deepest questions that can be raised concerning the fundamental structure of reality as a whole. The book is divided into six main sections that address the following themes: identity and change, necessity and essence, causation, agency and events, space and time, and universals and particulars. It focuses on contemporary views and issues throughout, rather than on the history of metaphysics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a great book. It will immediately become--and will remain forsome time--one of the two or three books that are seriously considered forany metaphysics course that uses a textbook. "--Professor Trenton Merricks, University of Virginia, US

"This book provides excellent coverage for typical courses in metaphysics...Lowe has avoided unnecessary technicalities and jargon; the writing is both clear and accessible to typical philosophy undergraduates. He has done a remarkable job on this score."--Professor Gary Rosenkrantz, University of North Carolina, Greenboro

About the Author

E.J. Lowe is Professor of Philosophy at University of Durham

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (March 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198752539
• ISBN-13: 978-0198752530
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #563,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction, July 28, 2007

By 

TiZ - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Survey of Metaphysics (Paperback)

"A Survey of Metaphysics" is an introduction to contemporary analytic metaphysics. It covers the nature of metaphysics, particulars, universals, modality, causation, and tense, among other topics. The book is thus devoted to general metaphysics, though Lowe briefly considers the bearing of some of the theories on topics in special metaphysics, in particular free will and the mind-body problem.

While the coverage is comprehensive, Lowe does not sacrifice detail. He explains theories and introduces technical terminology clearly, and evaluates arguments for and against the theories carefully. While Lowe presents his own considered conclusions, he explains how one may disagree, and the book is not didactic. The book is also well-organised. The chapters are relatively self-contained, but Lowe explains how our conclusions on one subject may bear upon the discussion of another.

The book is intended primarily for undergraduate philosophy students who are already familiar with the techniques of analysis and argument, and I think that it would serve as an excellent text for undergraduate philosophy courses.

Lowe is one of the finest and most original of contemporary metaphysicians, and his introduction is recommended highly. Readers may also be interested in Loux's more advanced introduction, "Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction", which has slightly different coverage and emphasis.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This guy is totally awesome!, April 9, 2009

By 

Steven Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Survey of Metaphysics (Paperback)

Having read several books on metaphysics, including Loux's "A contemporary Introduction," I can only say that I wish I would have read this one FIRST. ALL of the other books I've read on this topic left me scratching my head in certain parts and wondering if I just wasn't smart enough to get what was being explained. Now I'm just left wondering if the other guys are simply not as skilled in getting to the point of what it is that they are trying to explain?

I think, maybe, you have to really understand a topic in order to be able to explain it well; Lowe obviously understands this topic to the extreme. I am looking forward to reading all of his books.

THIS IS A MAJOR BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

THANK YOU E.J. LOWE!!! YOU ARE SIMPLY AWESOME!