Overview

Many significant problems in metaphysics are tied to ontological questions, but ontology and its relation to larger questions in metaphysics give rise to a series of puzzles that suggest that we don't fully understand what ontology is supposed to do, nor what ambitions metaphysics can have for finding out about what reality is like. Thomas Hofweber aims to solve these puzzles about ontology and consequently to make progress on four central metaphysical problems: the philosophy of arithmetic, the metaphysics of ordinary objects, the problem of universals, and the question of whether the reality is independent of us. Crucial parts of the proposed solution involve considerations about quantification and its relationship to ontology, the place of reference in natural languages, the possibility of ineffable facts, the extent of empirical evidence in metaphysics, and whether metaphysics can be properly esoteric. Overall, Hofweber defends a rationalist account of arithmetic, an empiricist picture in the philosophy of ordinary objects, a restricted form of nominalism, and realism about reality, understood as all there is, but idealism about reality, understood as all that is the case. He defends metaphysics as having some questions of fact that are distinctly its own, with a limited form of autonomy from other parts of inquiry, but rejects several metaphysical projects and approaches as being based on a mistake.

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9780198769835

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Reviews

Rich and rewarding ... Hofweber offers a beautiful picture of natural numbers, properties, and facts. * Thomas Sattig, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research Book Symposium * Thomas Hofweber's Ontology and the Ambitions of Metaphysics is ambitious, thoughtprovoking, and a good read. It expands upon a project he's developed in several previous papers-a project that seamlessly weaves together both metaphysics and metametaphysics. The book is as much about methodology as it is about the substantive conclusions he draws about what there is. As a consequence, it is a long book that covers a lot of ground. * Karen Bennett, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research Book Symposium * Hofweber has written a first-rate book, chock-full of insight. It sets forth an ambitious research program, aimed at producing a linguistically informed philosophy of arithmetic. If the project succeeds, it will deliver unusually illuminating answers to longstanding philosophical questions. * AgustIn Rayo, Philosophy and Phenomenological Research Book Symposium * Thomas Hofweber's Ontology and the Ambitions of Metaphysics (2016) contains lots of interesting and challenging ideas and arguments, together amounting to an original, systematic, well-argued perspective on metaphysics. Hofweber's work is a highly significant contribution to the contemporary metaphysical discussion. * Matti Eklund, Analysis *

Author Information

Thomas Hofweber is professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research specializes in metaphysics and the philosophy of language. He studied for his undergraduate degree at the University of Munich, before completing his PhD at Stanford University. Before moving to North Carolina, he taught at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

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