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Joshua Spencer, The Fragmentation of Being, by Kris McDaniel, Mind, Volume 131, Issue 521, January 2022, Pages 284–292, https://doi.org/10.1093/mind/fzaa037
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Extract
Philosophers have argued for a variety of beings. In addition to concrete material beings like electrons and my cats, some philosophers have argued for abstract beings like sets, numbers, and propositions. Others have argued for certain social or intentional beings like beings of fiction, myth, and hallucination. And still other have argued for concrete immaterial beings like gods, angels, and minds. But are there, in addition to a variety of beings, also a variety of ways of being? Ontological Pluralism is the thesis that there are or at least could be a variety of ways of being or modes of being. Kris McDaniel has recently been an ardent defender of this sort of thesis and The Fragmentation of Being is the culmination of his work.
The Fragmentation of Being is a clear and exceedingly interesting presentation and defence of Ontological Pluralism. Kris McDaniel is one of the most well-read contemporary metaphysicians that I know. He is able to respectfully connect issues in contemporary metaphysics to historical antecedents and even to some non-Western traditions. As a contemporary metaphysician myself, who is not well-versed enough to feel comfortable writing about historical and non-Western traditions, I really appreciate McDaniel’s ability to situate our debates so clearly within such a wider context. Moreover, McDaniel’s innovative ideas and well-grounded approach are both praiseworthy. I always learn a lot when I read McDaniel’s work and this book is no exception.
