Basic Structures of Reality

Essays in Meta-Physics

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Mind & Body
Cover of the book Basic Structures of Reality by Colin McGinn, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Colin McGinn ISBN: 9780190208318
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: December 9, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Colin McGinn
ISBN: 9780190208318
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: December 9, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

In Basic Structures of Reality, Colin McGinn deals with questions of metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind from the vantage point of physics. Combining general philosophy with physics, he covers such topics as the definition of matter, the nature of space, motion, gravity, electromagnetic fields, the character of physical knowledge, and consciousness and meaning. Throughout, McGinn maintains an historical perspective and seeks to determine how much we really know of the world described by physics. He defends a version of "structuralism": the thesis that our knowledge is partial and merely abstract, leaving a large epistemological gap at the center of physics. McGinn then connects this element of mystery to parallel mysteries in relation to the mind. Consciousness emerges as just one more mystery of physics. A theory of matter and space is developed, according to which the impenetrability of matter is explained as the deletion of volumes of space. McGinn proposes a philosophy of science that distinguishes physics from both psychology and biology, explores the ontology of energy, and considers the relevance of physics to seemingly remote fields such as the theory of meaning. In the form of a series of aphorisms, the author presents a metaphysical system that takes laws of nature as fundamental. With its broad scope and deep study of the fundamental questions at the heart of philosophy of physics, this book is not intended primarily for specialists, but for the general philosophical reader interested in how physics and philosophy intersect.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In Basic Structures of Reality, Colin McGinn deals with questions of metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophy of mind from the vantage point of physics. Combining general philosophy with physics, he covers such topics as the definition of matter, the nature of space, motion, gravity, electromagnetic fields, the character of physical knowledge, and consciousness and meaning. Throughout, McGinn maintains an historical perspective and seeks to determine how much we really know of the world described by physics. He defends a version of "structuralism": the thesis that our knowledge is partial and merely abstract, leaving a large epistemological gap at the center of physics. McGinn then connects this element of mystery to parallel mysteries in relation to the mind. Consciousness emerges as just one more mystery of physics. A theory of matter and space is developed, according to which the impenetrability of matter is explained as the deletion of volumes of space. McGinn proposes a philosophy of science that distinguishes physics from both psychology and biology, explores the ontology of energy, and considers the relevance of physics to seemingly remote fields such as the theory of meaning. In the form of a series of aphorisms, the author presents a metaphysical system that takes laws of nature as fundamental. With its broad scope and deep study of the fundamental questions at the heart of philosophy of physics, this book is not intended primarily for specialists, but for the general philosophical reader interested in how physics and philosophy intersect.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book How the Economy Works by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Teaching Music to Students with Autism by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Arts and Crafts with Children - Primary Resource Books for Teachers by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book The Rise of "The Rest" by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Much Ado about (Practically) Nothing by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Climate Change and Society by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Focus on Oral Interaction - Oxford Key Concepts for the Language Classroom by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book The Making of a Salafi Muslim Woman by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book The Moral Punishment Instinct by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Politics of the Pantry by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book The Reinvention of Atlantic Slavery by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Economic Morality and Jewish Law by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book The Songs Of Hollywood by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Political Vices by Colin McGinn
Cover of the book Self-Knowledge: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Colin McGinn
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy