Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction by Stephen Mumford (English) Paperback Bo

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In this easy-to-understand introduction, Stephen Mumford explores one of the four main branches of philosophy: metaphysics. Using practical examples to explore the main issues, he presents the ideas in a clear and simple way, helping to clarify and unravel the basic questions of this complex and abstract concept.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Metaphysics is one of the traditional four main branches of philosophy, alongside ethics, logic and epistemology. It is also an area that continues to attract and hold a fascination for many people yet it is associated with being complex and abstract. For some it is associated with the mystical or religious. For others it is known through the metaphysical poets who talk of love and spirituality. This Very Short Introduction goesright to the heart of the matter, getting to the basic and most important questions of metaphysical thought in order to understand the theory: What are objects? Do colours and shapes have some form of existence?What is it for one thing to cause another rather than just being associated with it? What is possible? Does time pass? By using these questions to initiate thought about the basic issues around substance, properties, changes, causes, possibilities, time, personal identity, nothingness and emergentism, Stephen Mumford provides a clear and simple path through this analytical tradition at the core of philosophical thought. ABOUT THE SERIES: The VeryShort Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly.Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Notes

Provides an insight into the concepts of metaphysics in a simple and clear way, working through the basic practical problems.

Author Biography

Stephen Mumford is Professor of Metaphysics at the Department of Philosophy, University of Nottingham. He is also Head of the School of Humanities and Dean of the Faculty of Arts. He has written many papers and books in metaphysics, including a number of more popular works intended for a non-specialist audience including articles in Times Higher Education magazine, encyclopaedias, and magazines. His most famous book is Dispositions (Oxford, 1998) but he also authored Laws in Nature (Routledge, 2004), Getting Causes from Powers (with Rani Lill Anjum, Oxford, 2011) and Watching Sport: Aesthetics, Ethics and Emotions (Routledge, 2011). He is a frequent public speaker at both academic conferences and more popular events and has delivered talks in around 30 countries.

Table of Contents

Introduction: What is an introduction?1: What is a table?2: What is a circle?3: Are wholes just sums of parts?4: What is a change?5: What is a cause?6: How does time pass?7: What is a person?8: What is possible?9: Is nothing something?10: What is metaphysics?Furthe reading: what should you read next?Index

Review

It manages to be jargon-free without sacrificing rigour and complexity. * Times Higher Education Supplement *

Promotional

A clear and down-to-earth account of this analytical tradition at the core of philosophical thought

Long Description

Metaphysics is one of the traditional four main branches of philosophy, alongside ethics, logic and epistemology. It is also an area that continues to attract and hold a fascination for many people yet it is associated with being complex and abstract. For some it is associated with the mystical or religious. For others it is known through the metaphysical poets who talk of love and spirituality. This Very Short Introduction goesright to the heart of the matter, getting to the basic and most important questions of metaphysical thought in order to understand the theory: What are objects? Do colours and shapes have some form of existence?What is it for one thing to cause another rather than just being associated with it? What is possible? Does time pass? By using these questions to initiate thought about the basic issues around substance, properties, changes, causes, possibilities, time, personal identity, nothingness and emergentism, Stephen Mumford provides a clear and simple path through this analytical tradition at the core of philosophical thought. ABOUT THE SERIES: The VeryShort Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly.Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Review Quote

It manages to be jargon-free without sacrificing rigour and complexity.

Feature

Begins with a series of simple quesions as a practical task to introduce the concepts before the theoryProvides an insight into the concepts of metaphysics in a simple and clear way, working through the basic practical problemsExplains an abstract, yet central philosophical branch of philosophy, without technical languageWritten in the form of ten essays that convey the main issues and why they are importantHelps outline some of the key metaphysical ideas - substance, properties, changes, causes, time, and personal identityExplains how metaphysics is understood and practised in philosophical thoughtPart of the Very Short Introductions series - over five million copies sold worldwide.

New Feature

Introduction: What is an introduction? 1. What is a table? 2. What is a circle? 3. Are wholes just sums of parts? 4. What is a change? 5. What is a cause? 6. How does time pass? 7. What is a person? 8. What is possible? 9. Is nothing something? 10. What is metaphysics? Furthe reading: what should you read next? Index

Details ISBN0199657122 Author Stephen Mumford Year 2012 ISBN-10 0199657122 ISBN-13 9780199657124 Media Book Publication Date 2012-08-30 Short Title METAPHYSICS Series Very Short Introductions Language English Affiliation Department of Philosophy, University of Nottingham DEWEY 110 Place of Publication Oxford Country of Publication United Kingdom UK Release Date 2012-08-30 NZ Release Date 2012-08-30 Edited by James J. Fawcett Birth 1938 Death 1851 Position Former Professor of International Commerical Law Qualifications PhD Format Paperback Pages 128 Publisher Oxford University Press Imprint Oxford University Press Illustrations c. 10 black and white illustrations Audience General AU Release Date 2012-10-29 Subtitle A Very Short Introduction We've got this

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