The Problem of Metaphysics and the Meaning of Metaphysical Explanation: An Essay in Definitions (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Hartley Burr Alexander

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0484006215 ISBN 13: 9780484006217

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Explore how we define reality and the meaning of metaphysical explanation in a concise, thought‑provoking essay.

This volume presents a focused study of the language and concepts that underlie metaphysics. It aims to outline the central problems and import of metaphysical thought without offering final solutions. The work emphasizes how definitions, distinctions, and method can clarify why metaphysical questions matter for human life and knowledge.

Readers will encounter a clear discussion of knowledge, explanation, and the kinds of reasoning used to argue about reality. The author examines subjects such as identity, unity, causality, and the criteria we rely on to judge truth. The approach blends philosophical analysis with caution about the limits of what our concepts can capture.

• Explanations that hinge on identity, causality, and teleology, and how they shape understanding.
• How the act of defining terms can illuminate or obscure metaphysical problems.
• Critical discussion of monism, universals, and the role of abstract concepts in science and philosophy.
• Guidance on assessing truth through natural and logical selection without overreaching beyond experience.

Ideal for readers of philosophy, epistemology, and the history of metaphysical thought seeking a compact, accessible survey.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0484006215
• ISBN 13: 9780484006217
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 154