Nature's Metaphysics: Laws and Properties

Author:   Alexander Bird (University of Bristol)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
ISBN:  

9780199573110


Pages:   246
Publication Date:   17 September 2009
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   To order   Availability explained
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Nature's Metaphysics: Laws and Properties


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Full Product Details

Author:   Alexander Bird (University of Bristol)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.40cm , Length: 23.30cm
Weight:   0.401kg
ISBN:  

9780199573110


ISBN 10:   0199573115
Pages:   246
Publication Date:   17 September 2009
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order   Availability explained
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

1: Introduction - laws and properties 2: Dispositions 3: Dispositional essentialism and the laws of nature 4: Categoricalism 5: Dispositional essentialism, modality, and intentionality 6: The regress objection 7: Structural properties 8: The illusion of nomic contingency 9: Are there any laws, and if so what are they? 10: Concluding remarks References

Reviews

no one has yet elaborated and defended with so much subtlety, rigour, and depth the exciting new metaphysics of nature that replaces both versions of the traditional categoricalist picture of nature...Reading Bird is highly rewarding: he sheds new light on many problems by analysing them in a new way...Bird's book holds promise to become the authoritative statement of the new dispositionalist metaphysics. Max Kistler, Mind the book provides a wealth of interesting details, helpful distinctions, and valuable clarifications, as well as considered, scientifically informed and in-depth argument. Anyone interested in the metaphysics of dispositions, laws of nature and causation will find the book highly illuminating. Barbara Vetter, Logical Analysis and History of Philosophy Bird's book is well argued and provocative ... It is 'must reading' for all philosophers concerned with laws, dispositions, an fundamental properties. Marc Lange, Philosophical Review an excellent contribution to the burgeoning literature ... whether or not anyone should be convinced of these details of nature's metaphysics, this book certainly provides a wonderfully lucid understanding of what its properties and laws might be like if dispositional essentialism were true. Anjan Chakravartty, Metascience The book is notable for its ambitious scope, its clarity, and its careful argumentation. It is a fine addition to the metaphysical literature about properties and laws of nature. It is already beginning to assume the status of a canonical text on the subject ... I recommend that all who want to engage with dispositional essentialism treat this as one of its indispensable texts. Peter Menzies, Analysis Bird's exploration and defence of Dispositionalism is impressive. It is detailed, meticulously constructed and insightful, and should do a great deal to persuade philosophers of the position's plausibility. The book is a demanding but very illuminating read. Simon Bostock, Philosophy


no one has yet elaborated and defended with so much subtlety, rigour, and depth the exciting new metaphysics of nature that replaces both versions of the traditional categoricalist picture of nature...Reading Bird is highly rewarding: he sheds new light on many problems by analysing them in a new way...Bird's book holds promise to become the authoritative statement of the new dispositionalist metaphysics. Max Kistler, Mind the book provides a wealth of interesting details, helpful distinctions, and valuable clarifications, as well as considered, scientifically informed and in-depth argument. Anyone interested in the metaphysics of dispositions, laws of nature and causation will find the book highly illuminating. Barbara Vetter, Logical Analysis and History of Philosophy Bird's book is well argued and provocative ... It is 'must reading' for all philosophers concerned with laws, dispositions, an fundamental properties. Marc Lange, Philosophical Review an excellent contribution to the burgeoning literature ... whether or not anyone should be convinced of these details of nature's metaphysics, this book certainly provides a wonderfully lucid understanding of what its properties and laws might be like if dispositional essentialism were true. Anjan Chakravartty, Metascience The book is notable for its ambitious scope, its clarity, and its careful argumentation. It is a fine addition to the metaphysical literature about properties and laws of nature. It is already beginning to assume the status of a canonical text on the subject ... I recommend that all who want to engage with dispositional essentialism treat this as one of its indispensable texts. Peter Menzies, Analysis


no one has yet elaborated and defended with so much subtlety, rigour, and depth the exciting new metaphysics of nature that replaces both versions of the traditional categoricalist picture of nature...Reading Bird is highly rewarding: he sheds new light on many problems by analysing them in a new way...Bird's book holds promise to become the authoritative statement of the new dispositionalist metaphysics. Max Kistler, Mind


Author Information

Alexander Bird is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Bristol.

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