A World of States of AffairsIn this important study D. M. Armstrong offers a comprehensive system of analytical metaphysics that synthesizes but also develops his thinking over the last twenty years. Armstrong's analysis, which acknowledges the 'logical atomism' of Russell and Wittgenstein, makes facts (or states of affairs, as the author calls them) the fundamental constituents of the world, examining properties, relations, numbers, classes, possibility and necessity, dispositions, causes and laws. It will appeal to a wide readership in analytical philosophy. |
Contents
Preface | xi |
Introduction | 1 |
Some preliminary doctrines | 11 |
Properties I | 19 |
Properties II | 47 |
Powers and dispositions | 69 |
Relations | 85 |
Particulars | 95 |
Number | 175 |
Classes | 185 |
Totality states of affairs | 196 |
Singular causation | 202 |
Laws I | 220 |
Laws II | 242 |
The unity of the world | 263 |
270 | |
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Common terms and phrases
actual aggregate analysis argued argument Armstrong atomic bare particulars bundle theory categorical Categoricalist causal causal relation cause colour complex universals conjunction consider constituents contingent counterfactual David Lewis Descartes determinable disjunctive Dispositionalist dispositions doctrine dyadic relation entail entities epistemic equivalence relation erties exist external relations fact first-order functional laws fundamental further given higher-order hold hypothesis Independence instance instantiated intensive quantities laws of nature Logical Atomism loose identity mass mathematical matter merely possible mereological metaphysical Michael Tooley molecular necessary truth Necessitarian nomic non-relational properties object ontological partial identity perception perhaps philosophers physical plausible possible worlds postulation powers predicate problem properties and relations Regularity theory rela relational property resemblance second-class properties seems simple singleton singular causation sort spacetime state-of-affairs types strictly identical structure suggestion supervene Suppose temporal thesis thin particular things tion totality tropes true truthmaker uninstantiated universals unit-determining property versals wholly distinct