Nature of Things

Anthony Quinton's "Substance" explores the concept of substance, addressing four problems: individuality, identity, appearance-relation, and fundamental existence. Part 1 discusses the first two problems, while Part 2 examines the third and fourth. Part 3 examines non-material things like abstract entities, scientific theory entities, minds, and values, arguing that theoretical entities and mental states are material. He offers a linguistic account of universals and necessary truths and advances a naturalistic theory of value.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 402 pages
\n Publication date: 01 October 2020
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
\n

Originally published in 1973, Anthony Quinton delves into the intricate concept of substance, a philosophical refinement of the ordinary notion of a thing. Within this comprehensive treatise, he identifies four distinct yet interconnected problems concerning substance:

What gives a thing its unique individuality?
What establishes its identity?
How does a thing relate to its appearances?
What kind of thing is fundamental, existing logically independent of any other kind?

In Part 1, the author explores the first two problems, while Part 2 delves into the third and fourth. Part 3 examines four commonly held notions of non-material things: abstract entities, unobservable entities of scientific theory, minds and their states, and values.

Quinton argues that theoretical entities and mental states are, in fact, material. He presents a linguistic account of universals and necessary truths and advances a naturalistic theory of value.

This profound exploration of substance offers a rich and thought-provoking examination of the nature of things, challenging our understanding of reality and paving the way for new philosophical insights.

\n Weight: 748g\n
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367194086\n \n