Items related to How Things Might Have Been: Individuals, Kinds, and...
How are we to distinguish between the essential and accidental properties of things such as individual people, cats, trees, and tables? Almost everyone agrees that such individuals could have been different, in certain respects, from the way that they actually are. But what are the respects in which they could not have been different: which of their properties are essential to their being the individuals that they are? And why?
Following the revival of interest among analytic philosophers in essentialism and de re modality generated by the work of Kripke and others in the 1970s, these questions have been the subject of intense, yet still unresolved, debate. In this book, Penelope Mackie challenges most of the answers that have been given to these questions. Via a critical examination of rival theories, she arrives at what she calls "minimalist essentialism," an unorthodox theory according to which ordinary individuals have relatively few interesting essential properties, and intuitions that appear to support stronger versions of essentialism are interpreted as consistent with the theory.
The topics discussed include the rivalry between the interpretation of de re modality in terms of "identity across possible worlds" and its interpretation in terms of David Lewis's counterpart theory, some notorious modal puzzles generated by the theory that individuals exist with different properties in different possible worlds, the notion of an individual essence, Kripke's "necessity of origin" thesis, and the widely held view that there are sortal properties that are essential properties of the things to which they belong. The book also includes a discussion of the relation between essentialism about individuals and essentialism about natural kinds, and a critical examination of the connection between semantics and natural kind essentialism.
Following the revival of interest among analytic philosophers in essentialism and de re modality generated by the work of Kripke and others in the 1970s, these questions have been the subject of intense, yet still unresolved, debate. In this book, Penelope Mackie challenges most of the answers that have been given to these questions. Via a critical examination of rival theories, she arrives at what she calls "minimalist essentialism," an unorthodox theory according to which ordinary individuals have relatively few interesting essential properties, and intuitions that appear to support stronger versions of essentialism are interpreted as consistent with the theory.
The topics discussed include the rivalry between the interpretation of de re modality in terms of "identity across possible worlds" and its interpretation in terms of David Lewis's counterpart theory, some notorious modal puzzles generated by the theory that individuals exist with different properties in different possible worlds, the notion of an individual essence, Kripke's "necessity of origin" thesis, and the widely held view that there are sortal properties that are essential properties of the things to which they belong. The book also includes a discussion of the relation between essentialism about individuals and essentialism about natural kinds, and a critical examination of the connection between semantics and natural kind essentialism.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author:
Penelope Mackie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Nottingham
Review:
"One of the clearest and fullest discussions of contemporary essentialism that has appeared for quite some time."--E.J. Lowe, Mind
"How Things Might Have Been consists of a wonderfully clear, thorough and informative analysis of rival views on essentialism as it pertains to individuals, like Socrates, and essentialism as it pertains to stuffs or kinds of things, like water."--Daniel Stoljar, Times Literary Supplement
Penelope Mackie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Nottingham
"One of the clearest and fullest discussions of contemporary essentialism that has appeared for quite some time."--E.J. Lowe, Mind
"How Things Might Have Been consists of a wonderfully clear, thorough and informative analysis of rival views on essentialism as it pertains to individuals, like Socrates, and essentialism as it pertains to stuffs or kinds of things, like water."--Daniel Stoljar, Times Literary Supplement
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherOxford University Press
- Publication date2009
- ISBN 10 0199562407
- ISBN 13 9780199562404
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number1
- Number of pages224
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 25.09
Shipping:
US$ 27.47
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been: Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties
Published by
Oxford University Press
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
Paperback
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. First Edition. In new condition with sharp corners and strong joints and with covers that are crisp and fresh, not showing any marks or scuffs. Contents are equally clean and tight. Thus a very nice book that looks and feels unread now offered for sale at a very reasonable price. Seller Inventory # 202518
Buy New
US$ 25.09
Convert currency
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties
Print on Demand
Seller:
Rating
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L0-9780199562404
Buy New
US$ 59.81
Convert currency
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been: Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties
Published by
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
Softcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0199562407
Buy New
US$ 61.81
Convert currency
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been: Individuals; Kinds; and Essential Properties
Published by
OUP Oxford
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
Softcover
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. PRINT ON DEMAND Book; New; Fast Shipping from the UK. No. book. Seller Inventory # ria9780199562404_lsuk
Buy New
US$ 54.91
Convert currency
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been: Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties
Published by
OUP Oxford 2009-02
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
PF
Quantity: 10
Seller:
Rating
Book Description PF. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 6666-IUK-9780199562404
Buy New
US$ 50.58
Convert currency
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been: Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties
Published by
Oxford University Press
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
Softcover
Quantity: 19
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # ABLIING23Feb2215580054381
Buy New
US$ 68.63
Convert currency
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been: Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties
Published by
Oxford University Press
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
Paperback / softback
Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback / softback. Condition: New. This item is printed on demand. New copy - Usually dispatched within 5-9 working days. Seller Inventory # C9780199562404
Buy New
US$ 64.90
Convert currency
Seller Image
How Things Might Have Been (Paperback)
Published by
Oxford University Press, Oxford
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. How are we to distinguish between the essential and accidental properties of things such as individual people, cats, trees, and tables? Almost everyone agrees that such individuals could have been different, in certain respects, from the way that they actually are. But what are the respects in which they could not have been different: which of their properties are essential to their being the individuals that they are? And why? Following therevival of interest among analytic philosophers in essentialism and de re modality generated by the work of Kripke and others in the 1970s, these questions have been the subject of intense, yet stillunresolved, debate. In this book, Penelope Mackie challenges most of the answers that have been given to these questions. Via a critical examination of rival theories, she arrives at what she calls 'minimalist essentialism', an unorthodox theory according to which ordinary individuals have relatively few interesting essential properties, and intuitions that appear to support stronger versions of essentialism are interpreted as consistent with the theory. The topicsdiscussed include the rivalry between the interpretation of de re modality in terms of 'identity across possible worlds' and its interpretation in terms of David Lewis's counterpart theory, some notoriousmodal puzzles generated by the theory that individuals exist with different properties in different possible worlds, the notion of an individual essence, Kripke's 'necessity of origin' thesis, and the widely held view that there are sortal properties that are essential properties of the things to which they belong. The book also includes a discussion of the relation between essentialism about individuals and essentialism about natural kinds, and a critical examination of the connection betweensemantics and natural kind essentialism. Penelope Mackie's book is a novel treatment of an issue central to much current work in metaphysics: the distinction between the essential and accidental properties of individuals. Mackie's accessible discussions of issues surrounding necessity and essentialism mean that the book appeals as much to graduate students as to seasoned metaphysicians. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780199562404
Buy New
US$ 84.13
Convert currency
Stock Image
How Things Might Have Been Individuals, Kinds, and Essential Properties
Print on Demand
Seller:
Rating
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Delivered from our UK warehouse in 4 to 14 business days. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L0-9780199562404
Buy New
US$ 58.31
Convert currency
Seller Image
How Things Might Have Been (Paperback)
Published by
Oxford University Press, Oxford
(2009)
ISBN 10: 0199562407
ISBN 13: 9780199562404
New
Paperback
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. How are we to distinguish between the essential and accidental properties of things such as individual people, cats, trees, and tables? Almost everyone agrees that such individuals could have been different, in certain respects, from the way that they actually are. But what are the respects in which they could not have been different: which of their properties are essential to their being the individuals that they are? And why? Following therevival of interest among analytic philosophers in essentialism and de re modality generated by the work of Kripke and others in the 1970s, these questions have been the subject of intense, yet stillunresolved, debate. In this book, Penelope Mackie challenges most of the answers that have been given to these questions. Via a critical examination of rival theories, she arrives at what she calls 'minimalist essentialism', an unorthodox theory according to which ordinary individuals have relatively few interesting essential properties, and intuitions that appear to support stronger versions of essentialism are interpreted as consistent with the theory. The topicsdiscussed include the rivalry between the interpretation of de re modality in terms of 'identity across possible worlds' and its interpretation in terms of David Lewis's counterpart theory, some notoriousmodal puzzles generated by the theory that individuals exist with different properties in different possible worlds, the notion of an individual essence, Kripke's 'necessity of origin' thesis, and the widely held view that there are sortal properties that are essential properties of the things to which they belong. The book also includes a discussion of the relation between essentialism about individuals and essentialism about natural kinds, and a critical examination of the connection betweensemantics and natural kind essentialism. Penelope Mackie's book is a novel treatment of an issue central to much current work in metaphysics: the distinction between the essential and accidental properties of individuals. Mackie's accessible discussions of issues surrounding necessity and essentialism mean that the book appeals as much to graduate students as to seasoned metaphysicians. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780199562404
Buy New
US$ 61.28
Convert currency