Author Description
More Than At Any Other Time In Human History, We Live In An Age Defined By Movement And Mobility; And Yet, We Lack A Unifying Theory Which Takes This Seriously As A Starting Point For Philosophy. The History Of Philosophy Has Systematically Explained Movement As Derived From Something Else That Does Not Move: Space, Eternity, Force, And Time. Why, When Movement Has Always Been Central To Human Societies, Did A Philosophy Based On Movement Never Take Hold? This Book Finally Overturns This Long-standing Metaphysical Tradition By Placing Movement At The Heart Of Philosophy. In Doing So, Being And Motion Provides A Completely New Understanding Of The Most Fundamental Categories Of Ontology From A Movement-oriented Perspective: Quality, Quantity, Relation, Modality, And Others. It Also Provides The First History Of The Philosophy Of Motion, From Early Prehistoric Mythologies Up To Contemporary Ontologies. Through Its Systematic Ontology Of Movement, Being And Motion Provides A Path-breaking Historical Ontology Of Our Present.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates why Western philosophy has historically treated movement as a secondary phenomenon and proposes a new, systematic ontology that places motion at the center of existence. Thomas Nail, a professor of philosophy, utilizes a rigorous historical and analytical framework to challenge the traditional metaphysical reliance on static concepts like space, time, and force. By re-evaluating fundamental ontological categories, the author argues for a shift toward a movement-oriented perspective to better understand contemporary human experience.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A comprehensive history of the philosophy of motion from prehistoric mythologies to contemporary thought.
- A re-conceptualization of ontological categories including quality, quantity, relation, and modality.
- A systematic argument for movement as the primary starting point for philosophical inquiry.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a practical guide for physical movement or exercise science.
- The analysis focuses primarily on Western philosophical traditions rather than exhaustive global comparative studies.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and readers frequently note the academic density and technical rigor of the prose, which demands a strong background in metaphysical discourse. Experts highlight this work as a significant contribution to contemporary ontology that successfully challenges long-standing historical biases in the field.
Page Count:
496
Publication Date:
2018-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190908920
ISBN-13:
9780190908928
Philosophy
Philosophy history
Metaphysics
Ontology
Social Theory
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