Sam Cowling

Abstract Entities

• Broschiertes Buch

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.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Taylor & Francis
• Seitenzahl: 282
• Erscheinungstermin: 17. Februar 2017
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 233mm x 156mm x 20mm
• Gewicht: 456g
• ISBN-13: 9781138827592
• ISBN-10: 1138827592
• Artikelnr.: 46907382

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