What is this thing called Metaphysics?

by Brian Garrett

How did our universe come to be? Does God exist? Does time flow? What are we? Do we have free will? What is truth? Metaphysics is concerned with the nature of ourselves and the world around us. This clear and accessible introduction covers the central topics in metaphysics in a concise but comprehensive way. Brian Garrett discusses the crucial concepts and arguments of metaphysics in a highly readable manner. He addresses the following key areas of

• God

• Existence

• Modality

• Universals and particulars

• Facts

• Causation

• Time

• Puzzles of material constitution

• Free will & determinism

• Fatalism

• Personal identity

• Truth



This third edition has been thoroughly revised. Most chapters include new and updated material, and there are now two chapters devoted to attacks on free will and fatalism.

What is this thing called Metaphysics? contains many helpful student-friendly features, such as a glossary of important terms, study questions, annotated further reading, and a guide to web resources. Text boxes provide bite-sized summaries of key concepts and major philosophers, and clear and interesting examples are used throughout.

Genres: Philosophy, Metaphysics, Nonfiction

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Malika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book in hopes to glean a spiritual perspective on metaphysics...to see how it relates to the unity church and movement.

what I found instead is a very philosophical, and academic book. Like the other reader, I read sections more than once to confirm understanding.

I will say, I did like how the author put information together and drew comparisons and also framed up the logic behind each concept.

Well written, just not what I was looking for.

[Daniel Hageman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun fact: “Russell almost caused a riot when he defended the existence of negative facts in front of an audience at Harvard.” Lmao this is why Russell is awesome.

Yup, got my mind warped as expected and perhaps even more so! Probably why such a short book took such a long time to push through. Everything from how there can’t be change without time yet there could be time without change, backwards causation (for which I’m not yet convinced..though my leaning towards the B theory of time (also discussed) permits time travel and therefore (likely) inherently backwards causation..ugh), the alleged difference between a ‘fact’ and a ‘truth’, negative truths and falsehoods, and A LOT more.

Just quick thoughts on the backwards causation..prima facie, this seems as ridiculous as self-caused existence, which Garrett seems to agree is not possible because you would have to exist to create yourself..how this is so metaphysically different from a future event causing a past event I’m not sure..but am certainly open to it (as well as causal loops) once I've recovered and ready for my next headache of similar reading. Further though, his rebuttal to Max Black, who claims that "If a future event causes a previous one, observation of the previous one could allow one to act as to prevent the future event, which then would make it non causal" seems to need further justification. The one example of reverse causation with alarm clocks and oversleeping I just couldn't understand, no matter how many times I read it.

Ch 9 on the various time puzzles was fascinating, definitely likely of interest to any reader.

The organization of 'mini philosopher bios' in boxes throughout the chapters made the various diatribes a bit more difficult to follow without getting sidetracked, but overall I thought they added a nice touch to the informative nature of the work. An intro to many of the philosophers as they are referenced in the text allows for readers (especially those new to the material) to note what they feel requires further study and where to acquire source information for respective arguments.

His summary on the incoherency of free will is excellent, with the breakdown of both libertarianism and compatibilism. Also, the recommendation to read Galen Strawson’s work in the area is certainly something to look forward to

While I am tempted to give a lower rating due to my continued confusion on some topics, and areas where I felt explanations were a bit trite rather than fully fleshed out, I think that the problem lies more with me than the book itself, particularly since I have yet to frequent many books specifically geared towards metaphysics, and because I lack any official credentials in such a topic.

Definitely worth the read for anyone who seriously poses the question that this book title pronounces!

[Lulu]

Metaphysics

[Nathan Ormond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and short concise chapters covering all of the key points. Textbook style read. Material clearly presented. Good referencing and questions at the end of each chapter for review.

[Animesh Mitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introductory book on metaphysics.

[Spawk Hw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple , concise intro. Recommended for your first book on the subject.