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Metaphysics

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Metaphysical theories are beautiful. At the end of this book, Jiri Benovsky defends the view that metaphysical theories possess aesthetic properties and that these play a crucial role when it comes to theory evaluation and theory choice. Before we get there, the philosophical path the author proposes to follow starts with three discussions of metaphysical equivalence. Benovsky argues that there are cases of metaphysical equivalence, cases of partial metaphysical equivalence, as well as interesting cases of theories that are not equivalent. Thus, claims of metaphysical equivalence can only be raised locally. The slogan is: the best way to do meta-metaphysics is to do first-level metaphysics.To do this work, Benovsky focuses on the nature of primitives and on the role they play in each of the theories involved. He emphasizes the utmost importance of primitives in the construction of metaphysical theories and in the subsequent evaluation of them. He then raises the simple but complicated question: how to make a choice between competing metaphysical theories? If two theories are equivalent, then perhaps we do not need to make a choice. But what about all the other cases of non-equivalent "equally good" theories? Benovsky uses some of the theories discussed in the first part of the book as examples and examines some traditional meta-theoretical criteria for theory choice (various kinds of simplicity, compatibility with physics, compatibility with intuitions, explanatory power, internal consistency,...) only to show that they do not allow us to make a choice. But if the standard meta-theoretical criteria cannot help us in deciding between competing non-equivalent metaphysical theories, how then shall we make that choice? This is where Benovsky argues that metaphysical theories possess aesthetic properties - grounded in non-aesthetic properties - and that these play a crucial role in theory choice and evaluation. This view, as well as all the meta-metaphysical considerations discussed throughout the book, then naturally lead the author to a form of anti-realism, and at the end of the journey he offers reasons to think better of the kind of anti-realist view he proposes to embrace.

Metaphysics

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La scène philosophique connaît depuis quelques années une ruée vers le réel, dont témoigne un retour massif à certaines positions de type réaliste. Les formes de ce réalisme sont diverses : épistémologique, moral, spéculatif… Mais qui sont les vrais réalistes ? De quelle idée du réel se réclament-ils ? Et que reste-t-il de l'idéalisme sous la profusion des vocables (constructivisme, perspectivisme, relativisme…) ? Une quarantaine de philosophes livrent ici leur diagnostic, sous la forme d'un vaste état des lieux de la métaphysique contemporaine. La discussion tourne pour partie autour d'une notion maudite, associée à Kant : la « chose en soi », dont le spectre continue de hanter la philosophie. Comment parler des choses elles-mêmes, indépendamment de ce qu'elles sont pour nous ? Comment aborder la réalité dans ce qu'elle a d'irréductible, sinon d'absolu ? Tout existe-t-il au même titre, comme le proclament les nouvelles ontologies « plates » ? Outre quelques drôles de pensées, on croisera au fil de ces questions une multitude d'objets, grands ou petits : la Vérité, le Monde et Dieu, mais aussi la Terre, le jaguar, et même la « table en soi ».

Realism --- Metaphysics

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contemporary metaphysics --- history of metaphysics --- Aristotelian metaphysics --- neo-Aristotelian metaphysics --- aristotelian metaphysics --- neo-aristotelian metaphysics --- Metaphysics --- Métaphysique

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The Clarendon Aristotle Series is designed for both students and professionals. It provides accurate translations of selected Aristotelian texts, accompanied by incisive commentaries that focus on philosophical problems and issues. The volumes in the series have been widely welcomed and favourably reviewed. Important new titles are being added to the series, and a number of well-established volumes are being reissued with revisions and/or supplementary material. Laura M. Castelli presents a new translation and comprehensive commentary of the tenth book (Iota) of Aristotle's Metaphysics, which provides Aristotle's most systematic account of what it is for something to be one, what it is for something to be a unit of measurement, what contraries are, and what the function of contraries is in shaping the structure of reality into genera and species. There are some objective difficulties in making sense of Iota as a part of the Metaphysics and as a piece of Aristotelian philosophy. Castelli's Introduction tackles such general difficulties, while the commentary provides a detailed analysis of the arguments, of the more specific issues and of the philosophical points emerging from Aristotle's text. The English translation, based on Ross' critical edition, is meant as a tool for readers with or without knowledge of ancient Greek. The Clarendon Aristotle Series is designed for both students and professionals. It provides accurate translations of selected Aristotelian texts, accompanied by incisive commentaries that focus on philosophical problems and issues. The volumes in the series have been widely welcomed and favourably reviewed. Important new titles are being added to the series, and a number of well-established volumes are being reissued with revisions and/or supplementary material. Laura M. Castelli presents a new translation and comprehensive commentary of the tenth book (Iota) of Aristotle's Metaphysics, which provides Aristotle's most systematic account of what it is for something to be one, what it is for something to be a unit of measurement, what contraries are, and what the function of contraries is in shaping the structure of reality into genera and species. There are some objective difficulties in making sense of Iota as a part of the Metaphysics and as a piece of Aristotelian philosophy. Castelli's Introduction tackles such general difficulties, while the commentary provides a detailed analysis of the arguments, of the more specific issues and of the philosophical points emerging from Aristotle's text. The English translation, based on Ross' critical edition, is meant as a tool for readers with or without knowledge of ancient Greek. --

Metaphysics --- Aristotle. --- Metaphysics (Aristotle) --- Philosophy, Ancient --- Metaphysics - Early works to 1800 --- Aristotle. - Metaphysics. - Book 10