A Critical Introduction to Fictionalism (Bloomsbury Critical Introductions to Contemporary Metaphysics) - Softcover

Frederick Kroon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 147251288X ISBN 13: 9781472512888

Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, 2018

Synopsis

A Critical Introduction to Fictionalism provides a clear and comprehensive understanding of an important alternative to realism. Drawing on questions from ethics, the philosophy of religion, art, mathematics, logic and science, this is a complete exploration of how fictionalism contrasts with other non-realist doctrines and motivates influential fictionalist treatments across a range of philosophical issues. Defending and criticizing influential as well as emerging fictionalist approaches, this accessible overview discuses physical objects, universals, God, moral properties, numbers and other fictional entities. Where possible it draws general lessons about the conditions under which a fictionalist treatment of a class of items is plausible. Distinguishing fictionalism from other views about the existence of items, it explains the central features of this key metaphysical topic. Featuring an historical survey, definitions of key terms, characterisations of important subdivisions, objections and problems for fictionalism, and contemporary fictionalist treatments of several issues, A Critical Introduction to Fictionalism is a valuable resource for students of metaphysics as well as students of philosophical methodology. It is the only book of its kind.

About this title

About the Author

Frederick Kroon is Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Auckland, New Zealand

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 147251288X
• ISBN 13: 9781472512888
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224