Varieties Of Things - Foundations Of Contemporary Metaphysics

In order to become adept in metaphysics, says Macdonald (philosophy, U. of Canterbury, New Zealand), it is important to understand the basic topics and issues in ontology, and so is ontology that she examines. She offers a systematic way of thinking about the most fundamental kinds of things that exist, among them material substances, people, events, and universals. After reviewing the nature and aims of metaphysics and of the tools that can be used to engage in metaphysical thinking about different ontological categories, she employs these tools to explore diverse views about various categories of things. Annotation c2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Cynthia Macdonald is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. She is Associate Editor of the Australasian Journal of Philosophy and the author or editor of numerous publications, including The Philosophy of Psychology: Debates on Psychological Explanation (co-edited with Graham Macdonald, Blackwell, 1994), Connectionism: Debates on Psychological Explanation (co-edited with Graham Macdonald, Blackwell, 1995) and Contemporary Readings in the Foundations of Metaphysics (co-edited with Stephen Laurence, Blackwell, 1998).