Author Description
John Keller presents a set of new essays on ontology, time, freedom, God, and philosophical method. Our understanding of these subjects has been greatly advanced, since the 1970s, by the work of Peter van Inwagen. The contributions, from some of the most prominent living philosophers, engage with van Inwagen's work and offer new insights in metaphysics, philosophy of religion, and the philosophy of philosophy. Van Inwagen himself gives selective responses. In metaphysics, the volume will particularly interest philosophers working on free will, relational vs constituent ontologies, and time travel; in philosophy of religion, notable topics include the ontological argument, the compatibility of theism and evolution, the problem of evil, and the doctrine of atonements. And there are three papers on the hot topic of philosophical success, with responses from van Inwagen.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the enduring influence and specific philosophical contributions of Peter van Inwagen across the fields of metaphysics, religion, and methodology. Editor John A. Keller compiles a series of original essays from prominent contemporary philosophers who analyze, critique, and extend van Inwagen's arguments. The text serves as both a scholarly engagement with his established frameworks and a platform for van Inwagen to provide direct, selective responses to his peers.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of free will, relational versus constituent ontologies, and the mechanics of time travel.
- Discussions on the ontological argument, the compatibility of theism with evolution, and the problem of evil.
- Three papers dedicated to the methodology of philosophical success and inquiry.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a general introduction to philosophy for laypeople.
- It does not cover every aspect of van Inwagen's career, focusing instead on specific thematic clusters.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts identify this collection as a significant resource for scholars specializing in analytic metaphysics and the philosophy of religion. Readers frequently note the high level of academic density and the necessity of prior familiarity with van Inwagen's primary works to fully grasp the arguments presented.
Page Count:
414
Publication Date:
2016-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0192508148
ISBN-13:
9780192508140
Philosophy
Philosophy of
Academic
Metaphysics
Ontology