Necessary Beings

Download or read book Necessary Beings written by Bob Hale and published by Oxford University Press, USA. This book was released on 2013-09-19 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bob Hale presents a broadly Fregean approach to metaphysics, according to which ontology and modality are mutually dependent upon one another. He argues that facts about what kinds of things exist depend on facts about what is possible. Modal facts are fundamental, and have their basis in the essences of things—not in meanings or concepts.

Download or read book Necessary Beings written by Bob Hale and published by OUP Oxford. This book was released on 2013-09-19 with total page 310 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Necessary Beings is concerned with two central areas of metaphysics: modality—the theory of necessity, possibility, and other related notions; and ontology—the general study of what kinds of entities there are. Bob Hale's overarching purpose is to develop and defend two quite general theses about what is required for the existence of entities of various kinds: that questions about what kinds of things there are cannot be properly understood or adequately answered without recourse to considerations about possibility and necessity, and that, conversely, questions about the nature and basis of necessity and possibility cannot be satisfactorily tackled without drawing on what might be called the methodology of ontology. Taken together, these two theses claim that ontology and modality are mutually dependent upon one another, neither more fundamental than the other. Hale defends a broadly Fregean approach to metaphysics, according to which ontological distinctions among different kinds of things (objects, properties, and relations) are to be drawn on the basis of prior distinctions between different logical types of expression. The claim that facts about what kinds of things exist depend upon facts about what is possible makes little sense unless one accepts that at least some modal facts are fundamental, and not reducible to facts of some other, non-modal, sort. He argues that facts about what is absolutely necessary or possible have this character, and that they have their source or basis, not in meanings or concepts nor in facts about alternative 'worlds', but in the natures or essences of things.

Download or read book Necessary Existence and the Doctrine of Being in Avicenna’s Metaphysics of the Healing written by Daniel D. De Haan and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2020-08-10 with total page 442 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In Necessary Existence and the Doctrine of Being in Avicenna’s Metaphysics of the Healing Daniel De Haan examines the primary notions being, thing, one, and necessary and their roles in the central argument of Avicenna’s metaphysical masterpiece.

Download or read book Necessary Existence written by Alexander R. Pruss and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2018-02-09 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Necessary Existence breaks ground on one of the deepest questions anyone ever asks: why is there anything? The classic answer is in terms of a necessary foundation. Yet, why think that is the correct answer? Pruss and Rasmussen present an original defense of the hypothesis that there is a concrete necessary being capable of providing a foundation for the existence of things. They offer six main arguments, divided into six chapters. The first argument is an up-to-date presentation and assessment of a traditional causal-based argument from contingency. The next five arguments are new "possibility-based" arguments that make use of twentieth-century advances in modal logic. The arguments present possible pathways to an intriguing and far-reaching conclusion. The final chapter answers the most challenging objections to the existence of necessary things.

Download or read book Being Necessary written by Ivette Fred-Rivera and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2018-09-26 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is the relationship between ontology and modality - between what there is, and what there could be, must be, or might have been? Bob Hale interwove these two strands of metaphysics throughout his long and distinguished career, putting forward his theses in his book, Necessary Beings: An Essay on Ontology, Modality, and the Relations Between Them (OUP 2013). Hale addressed questions of ontology and modality on a number of fronts: through the development of a Fregean approach to ontology, an essentialist theory of modality, and in his work on neo-logicism in the philosophy of mathematics. The essays in this volume engage with these themes in Hale's work in order to progress our understanding of ontology, modality, and the relations between them. Some directly address questions in modal metaphysics, drawing on ontological concerns, while others raise questions in modal epistemology and of its links to matters of ontology, such as the challenge to give an epistemology of essence. Several essays also engage with questions of what might be called 'modal ontology': the study of whether and what things exist necessarily or contingently. Such issues have an important bearing on the kinds of semantic commitments engendered in logic and mathematics (to the existence of sets, or numbers, or properties, and so on) and the extent to which one's ontology of necessary beings interacts with other plausible assumptions and commitments.

Download or read book The Essential LDS Collection written by William Alexander Linn and published by Good Press. This book was released on 2023-12-16 with total page 12321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Essential LDS Collection embodies a profound exploration of the Latter-day Saint (LDS) faith, bringing together a remarkable range of narratives, doctrinal discussions, and historical analyses. This anthology stands out for its diversity in literary styles, from poetic expressions of faith by Eliza R. Snow to the doctrinal expositions of Joseph Smith Jr. and the historical recountings by B. H. Roberts. The significance of each work within the collection highlights various facets of LDS belief and practice, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the church's theological foundation and evolution. The inclusion of seminal texts such as Joseph Smith's revelations offers not just insight but a connection to pivotal moments in LDS history. The backgrounds of the authors and editors in this collection paint a rich tapestry of the LDS churchs development and the varying individual contributions to its doctrine and community. Figures like Brigham Young and Joseph F. Smith represent pivotal leadership roles that shaped the direction and identity of the LDS church, while scholars and historians like John A. Widtsoe and William Alexander Linn provide depth through critical analysis and reflection. This anthology aligns with key historical and cultural movements within the LDS church, offering a nuanced understanding of its complexities and the diverse voices that have shaped its narrative. The Essential LDS Collection is recommended for anyone interested in understanding the breadth and depth of the LDS faith through its literature. This anthology presents a unique opportunity to explore the converging and diverging paths of thought and belief within the church, facilitated by the works of its most influential figures. For scholars, members of the LDS church, and those fascinated by religious studies, this collection provides an unparalleled insight into the LDS faith, inviting readers to engage with the profound discussions and reflections that have defined this community.

Download or read book The Essential Books of Mormons - Complete Collection written by William Alexander Linn and published by Good Press. This book was released on 2023-12-16 with total page 12321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Essential Books of Mormons - Complete Collection is a seminal anthology that encapsulates the profound spiritual and historical journey of the Latter-day Saint movement through its most pivotal writings. This collection boasts a remarkable range of literary styles, from doctrinal essays and personal revelations to historical narratives and poetic musings. Its diversity mirrors the rich tapestry of Mormon belief and the evolution of its theology, offering readers an unparalleled insight into the foundations of one of the world's youngest major religions. Noteworthy are the works that delve into the early struggles, visionary experiences, and doctrinal expositions that have shaped the faith, providing a comprehensive overview without centering on a single author's perspective. The contributing authors and editors, including Joseph Smith Jr., Brigham Young, and James E. Talmage among others, bring together a diverse array of backgrounds ranging from theologically foundational figures to pivotal reformers and poets. Their collective contributions reflect not only the historical and cultural milieu from which the Mormon faith emerged but also its enduring relevance in contemporary discourse. This anthology aligns with significant cultural and religious movements, showcasing the development of Mormon thought and its interaction with broader religious and historical narratives. The Essential Books of Mormons - Complete Collection invites readers on a journey through the heart of Mormon doctrine and history. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with the multifaceted perspectives and literary styles of its authors, fostering a deeper understanding of the Latter-day Saint movement and its teachings. Scholars, believers, and curious readers alike will find in this anthology an invaluable resource for education, reflection, and inspiration, making it an indispensable addition to any collection dedicated to understanding the breadth and depth of religious thought.