Contents:
Do they have a place in the physical structure of the world?
Tim Maudlin argues that the ontology derived from physics takes a form quite different from those most commonly defended by philosophers. Physics postulates irreducible fundamental laws, eschews universals, does not require a fundamental notion of causation, and makes room for the passage of time.
In a series of linked essays The Metaphysics Within Physics outlines an approach to metaphysics opposed to the Humean reductionism that motivates much analytical metaphysics. Why Be Humean 3.
On the Passing of Time 5. Causation, Counterfactuals, and the Third Factor 6.
The Whole Ball of Wax Epilogue: A Remark on the Method of Metaphysics. It is full of original, provocative, philosophical argumentation. Maudlin shows by example what it is to do the best kind of naturalized metaphysics: Every metaphysician should read it and emulate Maudlin's method, even when disagreeing with his conclusions.
What fundamental account of the world is implicit in physical theory? Though written independently over more than fifteen years, in combination they offer a unified blueprint for the construction of a metaphysics based on physics. What physicists call color charge is simply not an intrinsic property of quarks, or anything else. The essay on time is particularly convincing, and worth reading for anyone with a I will not pretend to have understood the whole work. A Remark on the Method of Metaphysics. Tatiana rated it really liked it Jun 23, Derek rated it really liked it Jun 02,
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. Academic Skip to main content.
University Press Scholarship Online. Publications Pages Publications Pages.
Search my Subject Specializations: Classical, Early, and Medieval Plays and Playwrights: Classical, Early, and Medieval Poetry and Poets: Classical, Early, and Medieval Prose and Writers: Classical, Early, and Medieval World History: Civil War American History: Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content. More What fundamental account of the world is implicit in physical theory?
Bibliographic Information Print publication date: Authors Affiliations are at time of print publication.