Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction - Softcover

Edward Feser

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3868385444 ISBN 13: 9783868385441

Publisher: Editiones Scholasticae, 2014

Synopsis

Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction provides an overview of Scholastic approaches to causation, substance, essence, modality, identity, persistence, teleology, and other issues in fundamental metaphysics. The book interacts heavily with the literature on these issues in contemporary analytic metaphysics, so as to facilitate the analytic reader's understanding of Scholastic ideas and the Scholastic reader's understanding of contemporary analytic philosophy. The Aristotelian theory of actuality and potentiality provides the organizing theme, and the crucial dependence of Scholastic metaphysics on this theory is demonstrated. The book is written from a Thomistic point of view, but Scotist and Suarezian positions are treated as well where they diverge from the Thomistic position.

About this title

Review

"Scholastic Metaphysics is a well written defense of common sense beliefs about the nature of reality itself, and if read carefully, will probably persuade many. Establishing the veracity of this metaphysic entails supporting classical theism, the reality of universals, the efficacy of natural reason, and the normativity of natural law."

--Andrew Fulford, The Calvinist International

"Feser's new book is a welcome addition for those interested in bringing the concepts, terminology and presuppositions between scholastic and contemporary analytic philosophers to commensuration. In fact, I would contend that Feser's book will constitute an important piece in its own right for guiding the research program for contemporary Thomistic metaphysicians into the future."

--Notre Dame Philosophical Review

"Scholastic Metaphysics is a well written defense of common sense beliefs about the nature of reality itself, and if read carefully, will probably persuade many. Establishing the veracity of this metaphysic entails supporting classical theism, the reality of universals, the efficacy of natural reason, and the normativity of natural law."

--Andrew Fulford, The Calvinist International

"One would be hard pressed to find a better introduction to scholastic metaphysics than that provided by Edward Feser. The book is excellently organized, treats its various topics with remarkable thoroughness and depth, and is written in an always clear, precise, and vibrant style. The book could only have been written by someone who has a complete command of the fundamental concepts of scholastic metaphysics, as well as an impressive knowledge of the main currents of modern philosophy. . . . For anyone who seeks a substantive and sound introduction to scholastic metaphysics, this is the book with which to begin."

--D. Q. McInerny, The Review of Metaphysics

"This is an excellent little survey of scholastic metaphysics. . . . Highly recommended. Anyone working in metaphysics, the philosophy of nature, or the philosophy of mind would be well advised to read through this book."

--Patrick Toner, American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly

"Feser's new book is a welcome addition for those interested in bringing the concepts, terminology and presuppositions between scholastic and contemporary analytic philosophers to commensuration. In fact, I would contend that Feser's book will constitute an important piece in its own right for guiding the research program for contemporary Thomistic metaphysicians into the future."

--Notre Dame Philosophical Review

"Scholastic Metaphysics is a well written defense of common sense beliefs about the nature of reality itself, and if read carefully, will probably persuade many. Establishing the veracity of this metaphysic entails supporting classical theism, the reality of universals, the efficacy of natural reason, and the normativity of natural law."

--Andrew Fulford, The Calvinist International

"Edward Feser's latest book gives readers who are familiar with analytic philosophy an excellent overview of scholastic metaphysics in the tradition of Thomas Aquinas. . . . Feser's book contains a wealth of material about the debates in contemporary analytical philosophy. . . . The recovery of scholastic metaphysics depends on the recovery of that understanding of nature and substance that is central to the thought of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. . . . In his new book, Edard Feser has taken a key step in this important endeavor."

--William E. Carroll, Public Discourse

"What this book does, and does very well, is give us an insightful introduction to metaphysics. . . . It is one of the most refreshing books I have come across in years. . . . Edward Feser's Scholastic Metaphysics is an ordinary 'manual' that is not ordinary. It is nothing less than a defense of reality, of the capacity of the mind to know what is. It is a book that puts science in the right place because it has the mind in the right place."

--Rev. James V. Schall, S. J., Crisis Magazine

"In his new book, Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction (Editions Scholasticae, 2014), Edward Feser shows how the Aristotelian-Thomistic metaphysics developed by thinkers who take key ideas from Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas is still relevant today. . . . For any readers who seek the thrill of thinking through the most serious intellectual disputes about the fundamental structures of reality, Scholastic Metaphysics delivers the excitement. Feser offers an indispensable philosophical toolkit for any mind that dares to contemplate not only the real truths of modern physics, but also everything that in principle, by nature, lies beyond physics' grasp."

--Christopher S. Morrissey, Catholic World Report

"I not only enjoyed the book thoroughly, I wanted more. . . . For those, though, who are philosophically minded, and who want to explore the ideas I've been discussing in my posts on St. Thomas Aquinas over the last couple months, I recommend it highly."

--Will Duquette, www.patheos.com/blogs/crywoof

"Feser is a good writer. . . . Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction was by and large a pleasure to read."

--Michael Sullivan, http: //lyfaber.blogspot.com

"Feser's book is a clearly written and remarkably well-researched analysis of the concept of scholastic metaphysics. This is a well-conceived, articulated, and impressively-researched book."

--Review of Contemporary Philosophy

"One would be hard pressed to find a better introduction to scholastic metaphysics than that provided by Edward Feser. The book is excellently organized, treats its various topics with remarkable thoroughness and depth, and is written in an always clear, precise, and vibrant style. The book could only have been written by someone who has a complete command of the fundamental concepts of scholastic metaphysics, as well as an impressive knowledge of the main currents of modern philosophy. . . . For anyone who seeks a substantive and sound introduction to scholastic metaphysics, this is the book with which to begin."

--D. Q. McInerny, The Review of Metaphysics

"This is an excellent little survey of scholastic metaphysics. . . . Highly recommended. Anyone working in metaphysics, the philosophy of nature, or the philosophy of mind would be well advised to read through this book."

--Patrick Toner, American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly

"Feser's new book is a welcome addition for those interested in bringing the concepts, terminology and presuppositions between scholastic and contemporary analytic philosophers to commensuration. In fact, I would contend that Feser's book will constitute an important piece in its own right for guiding the research program for contemporary Thomistic metaphysicians into the future."

--Notre Dame Philosophical Review

"Scholastic Metaphysics is a well written defense of common sense beliefs about the nature of reality itself, and if read carefully, will probably persuade many. Establishing the veracity of this metaphysic entails supporting classical theism, the reality of universals, the efficacy of natural reason, and the normativity of natural law."

--Andrew Fulford, The Calvinist International

"Edward Feser's latest book gives readers who are familiar with analytic philosophy an excellent overview of scholastic metaphysics in the tradition of Thomas Aquinas. . . . Feser's book contains a wealth of material about the debates in contemporary analytical philosophy. . . . The recovery of scholastic metaphysics depends on the recovery of that understanding of nature and substance that is central to the thought of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. . . . In his new book, Edard Feser has taken a key step in this important endeavor."

--William E. Carroll, Public Discourse

"What this book does, and does very well, is give us an insightful introduction to metaphysics. . . . It is one of the most refreshing books I have come across in years. . . . Edward Feser's Scholastic Metaphysics is an ordinary 'manual' that is not ordinary. It is nothing less than a defense of reality, of the capacity of the mind to know what is. It is a book that puts science in the right place because it has the mind in the right place."

--Rev. James V. Schall, S. J., Crisis Magazine

"In his new book, Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction (Editions Scholasticae, 2014), Edward Feser shows how the Aristotelian-Thomistic metaphysics developed by thinkers who take key ideas from Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas is still relevant today. . . . For any readers who seek the thrill of thinking through the most serious intellectual disputes about the fundamental structures of reality, Scholastic Metaphysics delivers the excitement. Feser offers an indispensable philosophical toolkit for any mind that dares to contemplate not only the real truths of modern physics, but also everything that in principle, by nature, lies beyond physics' grasp."

--Christopher S. Morrissey, Catholic World Report

"I not only enjoyed the book thoroughly, I wanted more. . . . For those, though, who are philosophically minded, and who want to explore the ideas I've been discussing in my posts on St. Thomas Aquinas over the last couple months, I recommend it highly."

--Will Duquette, www.patheos.com/blogs/crywoof

"Feser is a good writer. . . . Scholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction was by and large a pleasure to read."

--Michael Sullivan, http: //lyfaber.blogspot.com

"Feser's book is a clearly written and remarkably well-researched analysis of the concept of scholastic metaphysics. This is a well-conceived, articulated, and impressively-researched book."

--Review of Contemporary Philosophy

About the Author

Edward Feser is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California, USA. His most recent books include Aquinas and The Last Superstition: A Refutation of the New Atheism, and the edited volume Aristotle on Method and Metaphysics.

About this edition

• Publisher: Editiones Scholasticae
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 3868385444
• ISBN 13: 9783868385441
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320