The Nature Of Necessity (Clarendon Library Of Logic & Philosophy) (Clarendon Library of Logic and Philosophy) - Softcover

Plantinga, Alvin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198244142 ISBN 13: 9780198244141

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 1979

Synopsis

This book, one of the first full-length studies of the modalities to emerge from the debate to which Saul Kripke, David Lewis, Ruth Marcus, and others are contributing, is an exploration and defense of the notion of modality de re, the idea that objects have both essential and accidental properties. Plantinga develops his argument by means of the notion of possible worlds and ranges over such key problems as the nature of essence, transworld identity, negative existential propositions, and the existence of unactual objects in other possible worlds. He also applies his logical theories to the elucidation of two problems in the philosophy of religion: the problem of evil and the ontological argument.

About this title

Review

Interesting and original. (Times Higher Education Supplement)

Synopsis

This is a reissue of a book which is an exploration and defence of the notion of modality 'de re', the idea that objects have both essential and accidental properties. It is one of the first full-length studies of the modalities to emerge from the debate to which Saul Kripke, David Lewis, Ruth Marcus and others have contributed. The argument is developed by means of the notion of possible worlds, and ranges over key problems including the nature of essence, trans-world identity, negative existential propositions, and the existence of unactual objects in other possible worlds. In the final chapters Professor Plantinga applies his logical theories to the clarification of two problems in the philosophy of religion - the Problem of Evil and the Ontological Argument.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 1979
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198244142
• ISBN 13: 9780198244141
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 270