Substance

Substance is a central category in metaphysics, with contemporary work exploring substance ontologies, roles, criteria, existence, and entities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 03 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Substance has held a prominent place in metaphysics for centuries, serving as a central category of inquiry. This Element delves into the latest developments in the study of substance, with a particular emphasis on contemporary substance ontologies. These ontologies are metaphysical frameworks that recognize substance as one of the fundamental categories and individual substances as the basic building blocks of reality. The topics explored include the diverse metaphysical roles that substances have been assigned, the criteria used to determine their existence, arguments for and against the existence of substances, and different accounts of which entities, if any, can be considered substances.

Substance, a fundamental concept in metaphysics, has been extensively studied throughout history. In contemporary metaphysics, substance ontologies play a central role, providing a framework for understanding the nature of reality. These ontologies recognize substance as one of the fundamental categories and individual substances as the basic building blocks of existence.

The study of substance encompasses various topics, including the metaphysical roles that substances have been assigned, the criteria used to determine their existence, arguments for and against the existence of substances, and different accounts of which entities, if any, can be considered substances.

One of the key questions in the study of substance is the metaphysical role that substances play. Substances have been described as the fundamental constituents of reality, the ultimate objects of investigation, and the sources of all other properties. They have been assigned various roles, such as being the subjects of change, the objects of perception, the causes of events, and the bearers of essential properties.

Different criteria of substancehood have been proposed to define what it is to be a substance. These criteria include the ability to persist through time, the presence of intrinsic properties, the ability to interact with other entities, and the ability to be the subject of thought and explanation. However, there are debates and disagreements about which criteria are most appropriate for determining substancehood.

Arguments for and against the existence of substances have been presented by various philosophers. Some argue that substances are essential to explain the nature of reality and the existence of other entities. They argue that substances are the ultimate constituents of everything that exists and that without them, we would not be able to explain the existence of physical objects, mental states, or moral values.

On the other hand, some philosophers argue against the existence of substances. They argue that substances are not necessary for explaining the nature of reality and that alternative explanations, such as materialism or functionalism, can provide a more comprehensive account of the world. These philosophers argue that substances are merely abstractions or mental constructs that are not grounded in empirical evidence.

Different accounts of which entities, if any, can be considered substances have been proposed. Some philosophers argue that only concrete, material entities can be considered substances, while others argue that abstract entities, such as numbers or ideas, can also be considered substances. There are also debates about whether entities that are composed of multiple substances, such as living organisms, can be considered substances in their own right or whether they are merely aggregates of individual substances.

In conclusion, substance has long been a central category in metaphysics, and the study of substance continues to be an active area of research. Contemporary substance ontologies provide a framework for understanding the nature of reality and the diverse metaphysical roles that substances play. The topics discussed include the different criteria of substancehood, arguments for and against the existence of substances, and different accounts of which entities, if any, can be considered substances. The debate over the existence of substances is ongoing, and philosophers continue to explore and refine their understanding of this fundamental concept.

Weight: 138g
Dimension: 200 x 488 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108940740