What is Reality?: An Introduction to Metaphysics

by Doug Erlandson

Metaphysics, the study of reality, is the heart of the philosophy. For the early philosophers of Greece, the pre-Socratics, it was the most foundational area of thought, as they attempted to formulate their answers to the question, "What is the universe?" That question is still the focus of metaphysics, although the range of issues discussed in metaphysics has greatly expanded.

"What is Reality? An Introduction to Metaphysics," is a straightforward presentation of the most fundamental issues discussed in metaphysics. Included are chapters on the nature of reality, the unity or diversity of the universe (the One and the Many), the relationship between the mind and the brain, the nature of personal identity, the characteristics of free will and the nature of freedom, the possibility of surviving bodily death, the nature of time (and timelessness), and reasons to believe in God's existence.

Written primarily for the person encountering philosophical metaphysics for the first time, "What is Reality" provides an excellent introduction to this fascinating branch of philosophy.

127 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 21, 2018

About the author

Doug Erlandson was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1946. He received his B.A. from Wheaton College (Ill.) and his doctorate in philosophy from Johns Hopkins University. Doug was an assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln 1972-1980 and since 1994 has been an adjunct instructor of philosophy at Southeast Community College in Lincoln.

Doug is the author of 19 books, including the popular Kindle book, How to Think Clearly: A Guide to Critical Thinking; the Jargon-Free Guide Series, including Philosophy Basics: A Jargon-Free Guide for Beginners; Faith Reborn; Spiritual Anorexia: How Contemporary Worship is Starving the Church; Godly Contentment: Kingdom Living in an Age of Economic and Social Uncertainty.

Doug and his wife are co-owners of the online candy store Licorice International, which is located in the Historic Haymarket District in Lincoln, Nebraska.