The Principle of Sufficient Reason: A Reassessment (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy) - Softcover

Book 41 of 48: Cambridge Studies in Philosophy

Pruss, Alexander R.

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9780521184397: The Principle of Sufficient Reason: A Reassessment (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0521184398 ISBN 13: 9780521184397
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2010

Synopsis

The Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) says that all contingent facts must have explanation. In this 2006 volume, which was the first on the topic in the English language in nearly half a century, Alexander Pruss examines the substantive philosophical issues raised by the Principle Reason. Discussing various forms of the PSR and selected historical episodes, from Parmenides, Leibnez, and Hume, Pruss defends the claim that every true contingent proposition must have an explanation against major objections, including Hume's imaginability argument and Peter van Inwagen's argument that the PSR entails modal fatalism. Pruss also provides a number of positive arguments for the PSR, based on considerations as different as the metaphysics of existence, counterfactuals and modality, negative explanations, and the everyday applicability of the PSR. Moreover, Pruss shows how the PSR would advance the discussion in a number of disparate fields, including meta-ethics and the philosophy of mathematics.

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Book Description

The Principle of Sufficient Reason (PSR) says that all contingent facts must have explanation. In this 2006 volume, which was the first on the topic in the English language in nearly half a century, Alexander Pruss examines the substantive philosophical issues raised by the Principle of Sufficient Reason.

About the Author

Alexander Pruss is assistant professor of philosophy at Georgetown University. He has published many papers on philosophy and mathematics, metaphysics, philosophy of religion, applied ethics, probability theory and geometric symmetrization theory. With Richard Gale he is co-editor of The Existence of God.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publication date
2010
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0521184398
ISBN 13 
9780521184397
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
350
Rating
  • 4.32 out of 5 stars
    40 ratings by Goodreads

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780521859592: The Principle of Sufficient Reason: A Reassessment (Cambridge Studies in Philosophy)

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ISBN 10:  052185959X ISBN 13:  9780521859592
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2006
Hardcover