Synopses & Reviews
From an Ontological Point of View is a highly original and accessible exploration of fundamental questions about what there is. John Heil discusses such issues as whether the world includes levels of reality; the nature of objects and properties; the demands of realism; what makes things true; qualities, powers, and the relation these bear to one another. He advances an account of the fundamental constituents of the world around us, and applies this account to problems that have plagued recent work in the philosophy of mind and metaphysics (color, intentionality, and the nature of consciousness).
Review
"Heil's book is masterful, wide-ranging, and instructive. It is also tightly argued, insightful, and provocative. The book is written in an admirably clear analytic style and is extremely well organized...I strongly recommend this book to anyone with a serious interest in ontology or the philosophy of mind."--Gary Rosenkrantz, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
"Unusually accessible and sparing of technical jargon. Even advocates of a 'many-levels ontology' who are as resistant to change as I am will find reading this book rewarding."-- Crawford L. Elder, Mind
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [250]-259) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Introduction
ONTOLOGY
2. Levels of Reality
3. Predicates and Properties
4. Difficulties for the Levels Conception
5. Abandoning Levels
6. Philosophical Analysis
7. Truth Making
8. Powers
9. Dispositional and Categorical Properties
10. Properties as Pure Powers
11. The Identity Theory
12. Universals
13. Modes
14. Imperfect Similarity
15. Objects
16. Substantial Identity
APPLICATIONS
17. Colour
18. Intentionality
19. Conscious Experience
20. Zombies