The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics: Making Sense Of Things (The Evolution of Modern Philosophy)
Cambridge University Press, 1/2/2014
EAN 9780521616553, ISBN10: 0521616557
Paperback, 692 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 4.4 cm
Language: English
This book is concerned with the history of metaphysics since Descartes. Taking as its definition of metaphysics 'the most general attempt to make sense of things', it charts the evolution of this enterprise through various competing conceptions of its possibility, scope, and limits. The book is divided into three parts, dealing respectively with the early modern period, the late modern period in the analytic tradition, and the late modern period in non-analytic traditions. In its unusually wide range, A. W. Moore's study refutes the tired old cliché that there is some unbridgeable gulf between analytic philosophy and philosophy of other kinds. It also advances its own distinctive and compelling conception of what metaphysics is and why it matters. Moore explores how metaphysics can help us to cope with continually changing demands on our humanity by making sense of things in ways that are radically new.
Preface
Introduction
Part I. The Early Modern Period
1. Descartes
metaphysics in the service of science
2. Spinoza
metaphysics in the service of ethics
3. Leibniz
metaphysics in the service of theodicy
4. Hume
metaphysics committed to the flames?
5. Kant
the possibility, scope, and limits of metaphysics
6. Fichte
transcendentalism versus naturalism
7. Hegel
transcendentalism-cum-naturalism
or, absolute idealism
Part II. The Late Modern Period I
The Analytic Tradition
8. Frege
sense under scrutiny
9. The early Wittgenstein
the possibility, scope, and limits of sense
or, sense, senselessness, and nonsense
10. The later Wittgenstein
bringing words back from their metaphysical to their everyday use
11. Carnap
the elimination of metaphysics?
12. Quine
the ne plus ultra of naturalism
13. Lewis
metaphysics in the service of philosophy
14. Dummett
the logical basis of metaphysics
Part III. The Late Modern Period II
Non-Analytic Traditions
15. Nietzsche
sense under scrutiny again
16. Bergson
metaphysics as pure creativity
17. Husserl
making sense of making sense
18. Heidegger
letting being be
19. Collingwood
metaphysics as history
20. Derrida
metaphysics deconstructed?
21. Deleuze
something completely different
Conclusion.
'This huge book is an extraordinary piece of work, showing a quite exceptional range of learning and depth of thought. Moore attempts nothing less than a synoptic account of the ways in which leading philosophers since Descartes have viewed metaphysics. But the book is not a survey: a strong narrative thread, plus a novel and powerful conception of the task of metaphysics, links Moore's discussion of such diverse thinkers as Hume, Kant, Frege, Nietzsche, Lewis and Deleuze (to take only a few examples) into a coherent picture of the development of the subject. The book is written with Moore's customary clarity and panache, full of penetrating insights, lucid exposition of difficult ideas, and provocative challenges to the conventional wisdom. There will be something here to stimulate everyone interested in metaphysics, whatever their philosophical background. The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics is a quite unique work: original, bold, and fascinating.' Tim Crane, University of Cambridge
'Not since Russell's History of Western Philosophy has a major Anglophone thinker attempted to make accessible sense of the many kinds of obscurity that philosophers have contrived to produce in their efforts to write under the title of 'metaphysics'. Russell's book hails from a generation which was famously dismissive of everything it called 'continental' in philosophy. Among the many achievements of A. W. Moore's remarkable book is that it shows why we can leave that behind us. The Evolution of Modern Metaphysics should make a real contribution to the formation of a philosophical culture better informed of its history and no longer riven by absurd and absurdly simplistic divisions.' Simon Glendinning, London School of Economics and Political Science
'… a truly monumental achievement, as extraordinary in the generosity of its scope and the breadth of its learning as it is in its sensitivity to the many possibly shifting nuances of its own self-expression. But if the term 'monumental' is suggestive of something carved out of heavily immovable stone, it would be utterly misleading. Moore, no mean meta-metaphysician himself, constantly challenges his readers to join him and his exceptionally varied cast of fellow seekers after meaningfulness in thinking always anew as to what sense there may be to the deeply human project of 'making sense of things' - and about why such sense as may be there to be found, may turn out not to be statable in terms of truth-seeking propositions. It is a story that makes for an inevitably long and at times undeniably strenuous read; but the effort is infinitely worthwhile.' Alan Montefiore, London School of Economics and Political Science
'… [a] splendid achievement.' The Times Literary Supplement