Overview

The philosophy of modality investigates necessity and possibility, and related notions--are they objective features of mind-independent reality? If so, are they irreducible, or can modal facts be explained in other terms? This volume presents new work on modality by established leaders in the field and by up-and-coming philosophers. Between them, the papers address fundamental questions concerning realism and anti-realism about modality, the nature and basis of facts about what is possible and what is necessary, the nature of modal knowledge, modal logic and its relations to necessary existence and to counterfactual reasoning. The general introduction locates the individual contributions in the wider context of the contemporary discussion of the metaphysics and epistemology of modality.

Full Product Details

Author:   Bob Hale (University of Sheffield) ,  Aviv Hoffmann (Open University of Israel)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 23.40cm
Weight:   0.528kg
ISBN:  

9780199671502

ISBN 10:   0199671508
Pages:   370
Publication Date:   10 January 2013
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.

Table of Contents

Bob Hale and Aviv Hoffmann: Introduction Part I: METAPHYSICS and LOGIC 1: Robert Stalnaker: Merely Possible Propositions Aviv Hoffmann: Response to Robert Stalnaker 2: Ian Rumfitt: Logical Necessity 3: Kit Fine: Semantic Necessity 4: Timothy Williamson: Modal Logic within Counterfactual Logic 5: David Efird: Is Timothy Williamson a Necessary Existent? 6: Gideon Rosen: Metaphysical Dependence: Grounding and Reduction 7: Ross Cameron: On the Source of Necessity 8: Anna Sherratt: The Reality of Modality 9: Scott Shalkowksi: IBE, GMR, and Metaphysical Projects 10: John Divers: Modal Commitments Daniel Nolan: Response to John Divers Part II: EPISTEMOLOGY 11: Stephen Yablo: Permission and (So-Called Epistemic) Possibility David Efird: Response to Stephen Yablo 12: Frank Jackson: Possible Worlds and the Necessary A Posteriori Penelope Mackie: Response to Frank Jackson 13: Scott Sturgeon: Apriorism about Modality C.S. Jenkins: Response to Scott Sturgeon 14: Dominic Gregory: Conceivability and Apparent Possibility Ross Cameron: Response to Dominic Gregory Bibliography Index

Reviews

Modality is a fine collection that will have wide appeal. Its chief value is in the sceptical reflections on modality to which it will prompt many readers. Arif Ahmed, Mind

`no one with a serious interest in the subject can do without this volume ' Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

Author Information

Bob Hale is Professor of Philosophy at Sheffield University. He has been a British Academy Research Reader (1997-99), and a Leverhulme Senior Research Fellow (2009-11). He previously taught at the University of Glasgow, the University of St. Andrews, and Lancaster University. He works mainly on the philosophy of mathematics and philosophical logic. Aviv Hoffmann is Lecturer in Philosophy at the Open University of Israel.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions