The Nature of Things by Anthony M Quinton
Originally published in 1973. In this systematic treatise, Anthony Quinton examines the concept of substance, a philosophical refinement of the everyday notion of a thing. Four distinct, but not unconnected, problems about substance are identified: what accounts for the individuality of a thing; what confers identity on a thing; what is the relation between a thing and its appearances; and what kind of thing is fundamental, in the sense that its existence is logically independent of that of any other kind of thing? In Part 1, the first two problems are discussed, while in Part 2, the third and fourth are considered. Part 3 examines four kinds of thing that have been commonly held to be in some way non-material: abstract entities; the un-observable entities of scientific theory; minds and their states; and, finally, values. The author argues that theoretical entities and mental states are, in fact, material. He gives a linguistic account of universals and necessary truths and advances a naturalistic theory of value.Reviews of the original publication:
"The book’s scope is large and the detail impressiveIt is a considerable work of twentieth-century metaphysics." The Times Literary Supplement
"Quinton has written an admirable book. Its arguments and expositions are firm, clear and well-ordered; its scope it wide; it is written with vigour and lucidity; and it has a unifying objective." New Statesman
About the Authors:
James McConica is a Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford. Anthony Quinton was President of Trinity College, Oxford from 1978 to 1987. Sir Anthony Kenny is President of the British Academy. Peter Burke is reader in Cultural History at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Emmanuel College.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780367194086 |
| ISBN 10 | 0367194082 |
| Title | The Nature of Things |
| Author | Anthony M Quinton |
| Series | Routledge Library Editions: Metaphysics |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis Ltd |
| Year published | 2020-10-01 |
| Number of pages | 402 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |