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Metaphysics: A Very Short Introduction

Stephen Mumford

30 August 2012

ISBN: 9780199657124

128 pages
Paperback
174x111mm

In Stock

Very Short Introductions

Price: £8.99

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.

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Description

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.

  • Begins with a series of simple quesions as a practical task to introduce the concepts before the theory
  • Provides an insight into the concepts of metaphysics in a simple and clear way, working through the basic practical problems
  • Explains an abstract, yet central philosophical branch of philosophy, without technical language
  • Written in the form of ten essays that convey the main issues and why they are important
  • Helps outline some of the key metaphysical ideas - substance, properties, changes, causes, time, and personal identity
  • Explains how metaphysics is understood and practised in philosophical thought
  • Part of the Very Short Introductions series - over five million copies sold worldwide

About the Author(s)

Stephen Mumford, Department of Philosophy, University of Nottingham

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

Reviews

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

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