Time, Identity and the Self: Essays on Metaphysics

Brian Garrett's The Metaphysics of Time, Identity, and Human Beings is a collection of twenty-four essays and four dialogues that cover topics such as the metaphysics of time, identity, and persons. It represents almost four decades of philosophical research and will be of interest to students and professional philosophers in the field of analytic philosophy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 23 February 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Introduction:

This volume contains twenty-four essays by the British/Australian analytic metaphysician, Brian Garrett. These essays are followed by four short dialogues that emphasize and summarize some of the main points of the essays and discuss new perspectives that have emerged since their original publication. The volume covers topics on the metaphysics of time, the nature of identity, and the nature and importance of persons and human beings. The chapters constitute the fruits of almost four decades of philosophical research, from Brian's two award-winning essays, published in Analysis in 1983 and The Philosophical Quarterly in 1992, to his latest ideas about Fatalism and the Grandfather Paradox.

The Metaphysics of Time:

Brian Garrett's essays in this volume explore the metaphysics of time, examining the nature of time, its relation to space, and the temporal structure of the world. He discusses various theories of time, including the A-theory, B-theory, and C-theory, and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses. Garrett also considers the problem of temporal discounting and the significance of temporal change. He argues that the metaphysics of time is crucial for understanding the nature of personal identity and the structure of the world.

The Nature of Identity:

In his essays on the nature of identity, Brian Garrett explores the concept of personal identity and its relation to the physical world. He discusses the problem of personal identity over time and the various theories of identity, including the identity theory of mind, the identity theory of substance, and the identity theory of relations. Garrett also considers the nature of personal identity and its relation to the self, the mind, and the body. He argues that the metaphysics of identity is crucial for understanding the nature of persons and human beings.

The Nature and Importance of Persons and Human Beings:

Brian Garrett's essays in this volume explore the nature and importance of persons and human beings. He discusses the concept of personhood and its relation to the moral and legal status of individuals. Garrett also considers the nature of human beings and their place in the world. He argues that the metaphysics of persons and human beings is crucial for understanding the nature of morality, ethics, and the social world.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this volume contains twenty-four essays by Brian Garrett that cover topics on the metaphysics of time, the nature of identity, and the nature and importance of persons and human beings. The essays are followed by four short dialogues that emphasize and summarize some of the main points of the essays and discuss new perspectives that have emerged since their original publication. The volume is a valuable resource for students and professional philosophers in the field of analytic philosophy.

Weight: 379g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030855192
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022