Physicalism, the thesis that everything is physical, is one of the most controversial problems in philosophy. Its adherents argue that there is no more important doctrine in philosophy, whilst its opponents claim that its role is greatly exaggerated. In this superb introduction to the problem Daniel Stoljar focuses on three fundamental questions: the interpretation, truth and philosophical significance of physicalism. In answering these questions he covers the following key topics: A brief history of physicalism and its definitions What a physical property is and how physicalism meets challenges from empirical sciences ‘Hempel’s dilemma’ and the relationship between physicalism and physics Physicalism and key debates in metaphysics and philosophy of mind, such as supervenience, identity and conceivability Physicalism and causality Additional features include chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary of technical terms, making Physicalism ideal for those coming to the problem for the first time.
Author(s): Daniel Stoljar
Series: New Problems of Philosophy
Edition: 1
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 264
BOOK COVER......Page 1
TITLE......Page 4
COPYRIGHT......Page 5
CONTENTS......Page 8
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 12
INTRODUCTION......Page 14
1 THE STANDARD PICTURE......Page 26
2 FORM AND ALTERNATIVES......Page 41
3 THE STARTING POINT VIEW......Page 64
4 THE THEORY VIEW......Page 82
5 HEMPEL’S DILEMMA......Page 106
6 THE NECESSITY VIEW......Page 122
7 IS NECESSITATION NECESSARY?......Page 140
8 IS NECESSITATION SUFFICIENT?......Page 157
9 SKEPTICS AND TRUE BELIEVERS......Page 177
10 ARGUMENTS AGAINST PHYSICALISM......Page 197
11 ARGUMENTS FOR PHYSICALISM......Page 220
CONCLUSION......Page 239
GLOSSARY......Page 246
REFERENCES......Page 250
INDEX......Page 260
