Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology

Why does a wine glass break when you drop it, whereas a steel goblet does not?

Why does a wine glass break when you drop it, whereas a steel goblet does not?

Death is something we mourn or fear as the worst thing that could happen--whether the deaths of close ones, the deaths of strangers in reported accidents or tragedies, or our own.

Death is something we mourn or fear as the worst thing that could happen--whether the deaths of close ones, the deaths of strangers in reported accidents or tragedies, or our own.

The idea of the pre-existence of the soul has been extremely important, widespread, and persistent throughout Western history--from even before the philosophy of Plato to the poetry of Robert Frost.

The extraordinary breadth and depth of Leibniz's intellectual vision commands ever increasing attention.

The extraordinary breadth and depth of Leibniz's intellectual vision commands ever increasing attention.

Many philosophers and scientists over the course of history have held that the world is alive.

Many philosophers and scientists over the course of history have held that the world is alive.

During the past few decades, a radical shift has occurred in how philosophers conceive of the relation between science and philosophy.

During the past few decades, a radical shift has occurred in how philosophers conceive of the relation between science and philosophy.

More than at any other time in human history, we live in an age defined by movement and mobility; and yet, we lack a unifying theory which takes this seriously as a starting point for philosophy.

More than at any other time in human history, we live in an age defined by movement and mobility; and yet, we lack a unifying theory which takes this seriously as a starting point for philosophy.

Probability has fascinated philosophers, scientists, and mathematicians for hundreds of years.

Probability has fascinated philosophers, scientists, and mathematicians for hundreds of years.

In Living Mirrors, Ohad Nachtomy examines Leibniz's attempt to "e;re-enchant"e; the natural world-that is, to infuse life, purpose, and value into the very foundations of nature, a nature that Leibniz saw as disenchanted by Descartes' and Spinoza's more naturalistic and mechanistic theories.

In Living Mirrors, Ohad Nachtomy examines Leibniz's attempt to "e;re-enchant"e; the natural world-that is, to infuse life, purpose, and value into the very foundations of nature, a nature that Leibniz saw as disenchanted by Descartes' and Spinoza's more naturalistic and mechanistic theories.

We are women, we are men.

Immanuel Kant's enduring influence on philosophy is indisputable.

Immanuel Kant's enduring influence on philosophy is indisputable.

This book reconstructs Spinoza's theory of the human mind against the backdrop of the twofold notion that subjective experience is explainable and that its successful explanation is of ethical relevance, because it makes us wiser, freer, and happier.

Zhu Xi (1130-1200) is the most influential Neo-Confucian philosopher and arguably the most important Chinese philosopher of the past millennium, both in terms of his legacy and for the sophistication of his systematic philosophy.

Zhu Xi (1130-1200) is the most influential Neo-Confucian philosopher and arguably the most important Chinese philosopher of the past millennium, both in terms of his legacy and for the sophistication of his systematic philosophy.

To what extent are we responsible for our actions?

The Oxford Handbook of Berkeley is a compendious examination of a vast array of topics in the philosophy of George Berkeley (1685-1753), Anglican Bishop of Cloyne, the famous idealist and most illustrious Irish philosopher.

The Oxford Handbook of Berkeley is a compendious examination of a vast array of topics in the philosophy of George Berkeley (1685-1753), Anglican Bishop of Cloyne, the famous idealist and most illustrious Irish philosopher.

John Stuart Mill was one of the most important and influential philosophers of the nineteenth century.

John Stuart Mill was one of the most important and influential philosophers of the nineteenth century.

Existentialisms arise when the foundations of being, such as meaning, morals, and purpose come under assault.

Our human capacity for planning agency plays central roles in the cross-temporal organization of our agency, in our acting and thinking together (both at a time and over time), and in our self-governance (both at a time and over time).

Our human capacity for planning agency plays central roles in the cross-temporal organization of our agency, in our acting and thinking together (both at a time and over time), and in our self-governance (both at a time and over time).

Intentionality is the mind's ability to be "e;of,"e; "e;about,"e; or "e;directed"e; at things, or to "e;say"e; something.

Intentionality is the mind's ability to be "e;of,"e; "e;about,"e; or "e;directed"e; at things, or to "e;say"e; something.

Combining Minds is about the idea of minds built up out of other minds, whether this is possible, and what it would mean if it were.

Combining Minds is about the idea of minds built up out of other minds, whether this is possible, and what it would mean if it were.

This is the first modern edition of the works of Lady Mary Shepherd, one of the most important women philosophers of the early modern period.

This is the first modern edition of the works of Lady Mary Shepherd, one of the most important women philosophers of the early modern period.

In his work on metaphysics, Spinoza associates reasons with causes or explanations.

In his work on metaphysics, Spinoza associates reasons with causes or explanations.

Teleology is the belief that some things happen, or exist for the sake of other things.

Teleology is the belief that some things happen, or exist for the sake of other things.

There are things we routinely say that may strike us as literally false but that we are nonetheless reluctant to give up.

There are things we routinely say that may strike us as literally false but that we are nonetheless reluctant to give up.

In this book, Christopher Evan Franklin develops and defends a novel version of event-causal libertarianism.

In this book, Christopher Evan Franklin develops and defends a novel version of event-causal libertarianism.

In his Critique of Pure Reason, Kant argued that human reason is inherently conflicted, because it demands a form of unconditioned knowledge which is unattainable; his solution to this conflict of reason relies on the idea that reason's quest for the unconditioned can only be realized practically.

In his Critique of Pure Reason, Kant argued that human reason is inherently conflicted, because it demands a form of unconditioned knowledge which is unattainable; his solution to this conflict of reason relies on the idea that reason's quest for the unconditioned can only be realized practically.

Embodiment--defined as having, being in, or being associated with a body--is a feature of the existence of many entities, perhaps even of all entities.

A core philosophical project is the attempt to uncover the fundamental nature of reality, the limited set of facts upon which all other facts depend.

A core philosophical project is the attempt to uncover the fundamental nature of reality, the limited set of facts upon which all other facts depend.