David Armstrong

David Armstrong

Author: Stephen Mumford

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-12-05

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 1317493257

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David (D. M.) Armstrong is one of Australia's greatest philosophers. His chief philosophical achievement has been the development of a core metaphysical programme, embracing the topics of universals, laws, modality and facts: a naturalistic metaphysics, consistent with a scientific view of the natural world. It is primarily through his owrk that Australian philosophy, and Australian metaphysics in particular, enjoys such a high reputation in the rest of the world. In this book Stephen Mumford offers an introduction to the full range of Armstrong's thought. Mumford begins with a discussion of Armstong's naturalism, his most general commitment, and his realism about universals. He then examines his theories of laws, modality and dispositions, which make up the basics of Armstrong's core theory. With this in place, Mumford explores his ideas on perception, mind and belief before returning to metaphysics in the last two chapters, looking at truth and the new view of instantiation. The book is a dispassionate, fair and unbiased account of Armstrong's thought. Although Armstong's is a body of work that Mumford regards highly and of real significance, he nevertheless highlights areas of weakness and issues about which there is room for further debate.


Book Synopsis David Armstrong by : Stephen Mumford

Download or read book David Armstrong written by Stephen Mumford and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-12-05 with total page 217 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: David (D. M.) Armstrong is one of Australia's greatest philosophers. His chief philosophical achievement has been the development of a core metaphysical programme, embracing the topics of universals, laws, modality and facts: a naturalistic metaphysics, consistent with a scientific view of the natural world. It is primarily through his owrk that Australian philosophy, and Australian metaphysics in particular, enjoys such a high reputation in the rest of the world. In this book Stephen Mumford offers an introduction to the full range of Armstrong's thought. Mumford begins with a discussion of Armstong's naturalism, his most general commitment, and his realism about universals. He then examines his theories of laws, modality and dispositions, which make up the basics of Armstrong's core theory. With this in place, Mumford explores his ideas on perception, mind and belief before returning to metaphysics in the last two chapters, looking at truth and the new view of instantiation. The book is a dispassionate, fair and unbiased account of Armstrong's thought. Although Armstong's is a body of work that Mumford regards highly and of real significance, he nevertheless highlights areas of weakness and issues about which there is room for further debate.

Perception and the Physical World

Perception and the Physical World

Author: D M Armstrong

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2023-07-28

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 100090086X

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First published in 1961, Perception and the Physical World contends that there are insuperable difficulties for the Representative and Phenomenalist theories. Unreflective common sense thinks of sense-perception as a direct grasping of the nature of the physical world. But when we are confronted with facts about sensory illusion, about the physical and physiological causes of perception, and with modern scientific views of the real nature of matter, it is hard to maintain such a ‘Direct Realist’ theory of perception. We tend to substitute a Copy or Representative theory which puts sense-impressions between ourselves and physical reality. Some philosophers overwhelmed by the difficulties of the Copy theory, retreat into Phenomenalism, which identifies the physical world with our sense-impressions. The author re-examines all the traditional objections to a Direct Realist theory and tries to show that they can be overcome. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy.


Book Synopsis Perception and the Physical World by : D M Armstrong

Download or read book Perception and the Physical World written by D M Armstrong and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2023-07-28 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published in 1961, Perception and the Physical World contends that there are insuperable difficulties for the Representative and Phenomenalist theories. Unreflective common sense thinks of sense-perception as a direct grasping of the nature of the physical world. But when we are confronted with facts about sensory illusion, about the physical and physiological causes of perception, and with modern scientific views of the real nature of matter, it is hard to maintain such a ‘Direct Realist’ theory of perception. We tend to substitute a Copy or Representative theory which puts sense-impressions between ourselves and physical reality. Some philosophers overwhelmed by the difficulties of the Copy theory, retreat into Phenomenalism, which identifies the physical world with our sense-impressions. The author re-examines all the traditional objections to a Direct Realist theory and tries to show that they can be overcome. This book will be of interest to students of philosophy.

D.M. Armstrong

D.M. Armstrong

Author: R. Bogdan

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 308

ISBN-13: 9400962800

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The aim of this series is to inform both professional philosophers and a larger readership (of social and natural scientists, methodologists, mathe maticians, students, teachers, publishers, etc.) about what is going on, who's who, and who does what in contemporary philosophy and logic. PROFILES is designed to present the research activity and the results of already out standing personalities and schools and of newly emerging ones in the various fields of pillJosophy and logic. There are many Festschrift volumes dedicated to various philosophers. There is the celebrated Library of Living Philosophers edited by P. A. Schilpp whose format influenced the present enterprise. Still they can only cover very little of the contemporary philosophical scene. Faced with a tremendous expansion of philosophical information and with an almost frightening division of labor and increasing specialization we need systematic and regular ways of keeping track of what happens in the profes sion. PROFILES is intended to perform such a function. Each volume is devoted to one or several philosophers whose views and results are presented and discussed. The profiled philosopher(s) will sum marize and review his (their) own work in the main fields of Significant con tribution. This work will be discussed and evaluated by invited contributors. Relevant historical and/or biographical data, an up-to-date bibliography with short abstracts of the most important works and, whenever possible, re ferences to significant reviews and discussions will also be included.


Book Synopsis D.M. Armstrong by : R. Bogdan

Download or read book D.M. Armstrong written by R. Bogdan and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this series is to inform both professional philosophers and a larger readership (of social and natural scientists, methodologists, mathe maticians, students, teachers, publishers, etc.) about what is going on, who's who, and who does what in contemporary philosophy and logic. PROFILES is designed to present the research activity and the results of already out standing personalities and schools and of newly emerging ones in the various fields of pillJosophy and logic. There are many Festschrift volumes dedicated to various philosophers. There is the celebrated Library of Living Philosophers edited by P. A. Schilpp whose format influenced the present enterprise. Still they can only cover very little of the contemporary philosophical scene. Faced with a tremendous expansion of philosophical information and with an almost frightening division of labor and increasing specialization we need systematic and regular ways of keeping track of what happens in the profes sion. PROFILES is intended to perform such a function. Each volume is devoted to one or several philosophers whose views and results are presented and discussed. The profiled philosopher(s) will sum marize and review his (their) own work in the main fields of Significant con tribution. This work will be discussed and evaluated by invited contributors. Relevant historical and/or biographical data, an up-to-date bibliography with short abstracts of the most important works and, whenever possible, re ferences to significant reviews and discussions will also be included.

A Materialist Theory of the Mind

A Materialist Theory of the Mind

Author: D.M. Armstrong

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2002-09-11

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13: 1134856342

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Breaking new ground in the debate about the relation of mind and body, David Armstrong's classic text - first published in 1968 - remains the most compelling and comprehensive statement of the view that the mind is material or physical. In the preface to this new edition, the author reflects on the book's impact and considers it in the light of subsequent developments. He also provides a bibliography of all the key writings to have appeared in the materialist debate.


Book Synopsis A Materialist Theory of the Mind by : D.M. Armstrong

Download or read book A Materialist Theory of the Mind written by D.M. Armstrong and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2002-09-11 with total page 311 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Breaking new ground in the debate about the relation of mind and body, David Armstrong's classic text - first published in 1968 - remains the most compelling and comprehensive statement of the view that the mind is material or physical. In the preface to this new edition, the author reflects on the book's impact and considers it in the light of subsequent developments. He also provides a bibliography of all the key writings to have appeared in the materialist debate.

Sketch for a Systematic Metaphysics

Sketch for a Systematic Metaphysics

Author: D. M. Armstrong

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2010-07-29

Total Pages: 138

ISBN-13: 0199590613

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This book tries to present in brief compass a metaphysical system, matured (as is hoped) over many years. By metaphysics is understood an account of the fundamental categories of being, such notions as property, relation, causality. These notions are more abstract than the results of scientific inquiry, and are controversial among scientists as well as among philosophers. The book sprang from lectures given to graduate students, and has deliberately been kept at an informal level. It includes some explanations not required in a book for professional philosophers. The argument is developed in sixteen short chapters. It is argued that the world is a world of states of affairs, involving universals and particulars. The notion of finding suitable truthmakers for truths grows in importance as the book proceeds.


Book Synopsis Sketch for a Systematic Metaphysics by : D. M. Armstrong

Download or read book Sketch for a Systematic Metaphysics written by D. M. Armstrong and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2010-07-29 with total page 138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book tries to present in brief compass a metaphysical system, matured (as is hoped) over many years. By metaphysics is understood an account of the fundamental categories of being, such notions as property, relation, causality. These notions are more abstract than the results of scientific inquiry, and are controversial among scientists as well as among philosophers. The book sprang from lectures given to graduate students, and has deliberately been kept at an informal level. It includes some explanations not required in a book for professional philosophers. The argument is developed in sixteen short chapters. It is argued that the world is a world of states of affairs, involving universals and particulars. The notion of finding suitable truthmakers for truths grows in importance as the book proceeds.

A World of States of Affairs

A World of States of Affairs

Author: D. M. Armstrong

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1997-03-06

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9780521589482

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Offers a comprehensive system of analytical metaphysics, argued from a distinctive philosophical perspective.


Book Synopsis A World of States of Affairs by : D. M. Armstrong

Download or read book A World of States of Affairs written by D. M. Armstrong and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1997-03-06 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Offers a comprehensive system of analytical metaphysics, argued from a distinctive philosophical perspective.

A Combinatorial Theory of Possibility

A Combinatorial Theory of Possibility

Author: D. M. Armstrong

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1989-09-29

Total Pages: 174

ISBN-13: 9780521377805

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Preface Part I. Non-Naturalist Theories of Possibility: 1. Causal argument 2. Non-Naturalist theories of possibility Part II. A Combinatorial and Naturalist Account of Possibility: 3. Possibility in a simple world 4. Expanding and contracting the world 5. Relative atoms 6. Are there de re incompatibilities and necessities? 7. Higher-order entities, negation and causation 8. Supervenience 9. Mathematics 10. Final questions: logic Works cited Appendix: Tractarian Nominalism Brian Skyrms Index.


Book Synopsis A Combinatorial Theory of Possibility by : D. M. Armstrong

Download or read book A Combinatorial Theory of Possibility written by D. M. Armstrong and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 1989-09-29 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Preface Part I. Non-Naturalist Theories of Possibility: 1. Causal argument 2. Non-Naturalist theories of possibility Part II. A Combinatorial and Naturalist Account of Possibility: 3. Possibility in a simple world 4. Expanding and contracting the world 5. Relative atoms 6. Are there de re incompatibilities and necessities? 7. Higher-order entities, negation and causation 8. Supervenience 9. Mathematics 10. Final questions: logic Works cited Appendix: Tractarian Nominalism Brian Skyrms Index.

Truth and Truthmakers

Truth and Truthmakers

Author: D. M. Armstrong

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2004-05-27

Total Pages: 174

ISBN-13: 9780521547239

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This book, first published in 2004, makes a compelling case for truthmaking and its importance in philosophy.


Book Synopsis Truth and Truthmakers by : D. M. Armstrong

Download or read book Truth and Truthmakers written by D. M. Armstrong and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2004-05-27 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book, first published in 2004, makes a compelling case for truthmaking and its importance in philosophy.

What is a Law of Nature?

What is a Law of Nature?

Author: D. M. Armstrong

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2016-08-26

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 1316558894

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First published in 1985, D. M. Armstrong's original work on what laws of nature are has continued to be influential in the areas of metaphysics and philosophy of science. Presenting a definitive attack on the sceptical Humean view, that laws are no more than a regularity of coincidence between stances of properties, Armstrong establishes his own theory and defends it concisely and systematically against objections. Presented in a fresh twenty-first-century series livery, and including a specially commissioned preface written by Marc Lange, illuminating its continuing importance and relevance to philosophical enquiry, this influential work is available for a new generation of readers.


Book Synopsis What is a Law of Nature? by : D. M. Armstrong

Download or read book What is a Law of Nature? written by D. M. Armstrong and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2016-08-26 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published in 1985, D. M. Armstrong's original work on what laws of nature are has continued to be influential in the areas of metaphysics and philosophy of science. Presenting a definitive attack on the sceptical Humean view, that laws are no more than a regularity of coincidence between stances of properties, Armstrong establishes his own theory and defends it concisely and systematically against objections. Presented in a fresh twenty-first-century series livery, and including a specially commissioned preface written by Marc Lange, illuminating its continuing importance and relevance to philosophical enquiry, this influential work is available for a new generation of readers.

Universals

Universals

Author: D. M. Armstrong

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-05-04

Total Pages: 156

ISBN-13: 0429972245

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In this short text, a distinguished philosopher turns his attention to one of the oldest and most fundamental philosophical problems of all: How it is that we are able to sort and classify different things as being of the same natural class? Professor Armstrong carefully sets out six major theories,ancient, modern, and contemporary,and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of each. Recognizing that there are no final victories or defeats in metaphysics, Armstrong nonetheless defends a traditional account of universals as the most satisfactory theory we have.This study is written for advanced students, but as Armstrong goes considerably beyond his earlier work on this topic, it will interest professional scholars as well. Carefully plotted and clearly written, Universals is both a paradigm of exposition and a case study on the value of careful analysis of fundamental issues in philosophy.


Book Synopsis Universals by : D. M. Armstrong

Download or read book Universals written by D. M. Armstrong and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-05-04 with total page 156 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this short text, a distinguished philosopher turns his attention to one of the oldest and most fundamental philosophical problems of all: How it is that we are able to sort and classify different things as being of the same natural class? Professor Armstrong carefully sets out six major theories,ancient, modern, and contemporary,and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of each. Recognizing that there are no final victories or defeats in metaphysics, Armstrong nonetheless defends a traditional account of universals as the most satisfactory theory we have.This study is written for advanced students, but as Armstrong goes considerably beyond his earlier work on this topic, it will interest professional scholars as well. Carefully plotted and clearly written, Universals is both a paradigm of exposition and a case study on the value of careful analysis of fundamental issues in philosophy.