Sam Cowling

Abstract Entities (eBook, ePUB)

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

The problem of abstract entities or objects is at the very heart of metaphysics, raising fundamental questions about existence and ontology.Some deny the very existence of abstract entities, others that there is a multitude of abstract entities. This book provides a thorough introduction to the problem of abstract entities, examining the fundamental theories and debates concerning them and weighing up competing arguments and solutions.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Taylor & Francis
• Seitenzahl: 292
• Erscheinungstermin: 3. Februar 2017
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781351970624
• Artikelnr.: 47956447

Autorenporträt

Sam Cowling is Assistant Professor, Denison University, USA.

Inhaltsangabe

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 The case for platonism

1.1 Platonism

1.2 Semantic arguments

1.3 Alethic arguments

1.4 Indispensability arguments

1.5 Metaphysical explanation

2 The abstract-concrete distinction

2.1 The standard view

2.2 Analyzing abstractness

2.3 Primitivism

2.4 Eliminativism

3 Paradox, parsimony, and infinite regresses

3.1 Paradox

3.2 Parsimony

3.3 Infinite regresses

4 Causal concerns

4.1 Epistemic access

4.2 Ensuring epistemic access

4.3 Semantic access

4.4 Cognitive access

4.5 Eleaticism

5 Non-uniqueness

5.1 The non-uniqueness problem

5.2 Living with non-uniqueness

5.3 Metaphysical underdetermination

5.4 Overcoming underdetermination

6 Modal objections

6.1 Necessary existents

6.2 Necessary connections

6.3 Contingent platonism

6.4 Abstracta and actuality

7 Nominalist options

7.1 Nominalisms

7.2 Meaning

7.3 Truth

7.4 Commitment

7.5 Harvard nominalism revisited

Conclusion

Glossary

References

Index

Rezensionen

'This is a terrific book, and the first full-length introduction to this fascinating topic. Writing in an accessible and student-friendly style, Sam Cowling presents a thorough and systematic presentation of the metaphysical, semantic and epistemological issues raised by abstract entities. Highly recommended!' - Christopher Daly, University of Manchester, UK

'In this impressive book Sam Cowling provides both a clear introduction to the debate over abstract entities, and a careful examination of the platonist position. He is scrupulously fair to both sides, conceding much to the combination of nominalism with realism about possibilities.' - Peter Forrest, University of New England, Australia

'One of the most important problems in philosophy is whether there are abstract objects - such as numbers, properties and propositions. Sam Cowling does a superb job in introducing the debates and problems around this issue. The book is written very clearly and shows an excellent command of the literature. Highly recommended.' - Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra, University of Oxford, UK

"Readers should come away from Cowling's excellent book appreciating the merits and the plausibility of contemporary platonism, even if they disagree with some of the details. It is largely written for those at home with analytic metaphysics and epistemology. Philosophers of mathematics have overlapping interests, so will learn lots from this fine book." - James Robert Brown, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada