Metaphysics : the basics

__Metaphysics: The Basics__ is a concise and engaging introduction to the philosophical study of some of the most important and foundational aspects of the world in which we live. Concerned with questions about existence, time, identity, change, and other basic elements of our common-sense and scientific ways of thinking about the world, metaphysics has long fascinated people. But to the uninitiated, many of the issues and problems can appear bewilderingly complex and intractable. In this lively and lucid book, Michael Rea examines and explains the core questions in the study of metaphysics―questions such as: * What is the relationship between an object and its properties, or between an object and its parts? * What is time, and is time travel possible? * Are human beings free? * What is it for an object or person to persist over time? This second edition has been thoroughly revised and includes a new chapter on the metaphysics of gender. With suggestions for further reading and a glossary of key terms, __Metaphysics: The Basics__ is an ideal introduction for those coming to the subject for the first time. Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of contents Preface to the first edition Preface to the second edition 1 Introduction Being as such Ultimate reality The fundamental level The final characterization Further reading 2 Things that don’t exist Preliminaries Nonexistent objects Creatures of fiction Further reading 3 Abstract objects Propositions States of affairs Properties Further reading 4 Possible worlds Modality The utility of possible worlds Concrete possible worlds Abstract possible worlds Further reading 5 Time Times Past, present, and future Temporal passage Further reading 6 Time travel Presentism and time travel The grandfather paradox Backward causation and causal loops Further reading 7 Substance Bundles versus substrata Hylomorphism God Further reading 8 Things and their parts Composition Material constitution The Ship of Theseus Body-minus Lumpl/Goliath Option 1: Deny the existence of objects belonging to the kinds that are central to the puzzle Option 2: Deny the problematic modal properties Option 3: Deny that identity is necessary Option 4: Deny the assumption that if x and y share all of the same material parts, then x is identical to y Further reading 9 Change and identity Parmenides on change The problem of temporary intrinsics Solution 1: Time-indexed properties Solution 2: Time-indexed property-having Solution 3: Temporal parts Personal identity Further reading 10 Freedom Terms and distinctions The determination problem The fatalism problem Further reading 11 Social metaphysics—gender Sex, gender, and types of kinds Mind dependence Gender Further reading 12 Metaphysics and its critics Against metaphysics In defense of metaphysics Conclusion Further reading Glossary Index