The Bounds of Possibility

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The Bounds of Possibility

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Regular price $30.00
Condition - New
<40 In stock

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Summary

The Bounds of Possibility focuses on the question of how much variation in the properties of an individual object there can be, and if it remains the same object. It investigates competing strategies and engages with foundational questions about the metaphysics of modality.

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The Bounds of Possibility by Cian Dorr

In general, a given object could have been different in certain respects. For example, the Great Pyramid could have been somewhat shorter or taller; the Mona Lisa could have had a somewhat different pattern of colours; an ordinary table could have been made of a somewhat different quantity of wood. But there seem to be limits. It would be odd to suppose that the Great Pyramid could have been thimble-sized; that the Mona Lisa could have had the pattern of colours that actually characterizes The Scream; or that the table could have been made of the very quantity of wood that in fact made some other table. However, there are puzzling arguments that purport to show that so long as an object is capable of being somewhat different in some respect, it is capable of being radically different in that respect. These arguments rely on two tempting thoughts: first, that an object's capacity for moderate variation is a non-contingent matter, and second, that what is possibly possible is simply possible. The Bounds of Possibility systematically investigates competing strategies for resolving these puzzles, and defends one of them. Along the way it engages with foundational questions about the metaphysics of modality.
Review from previous edition the book engages with a broad range of issues in metaphysics, as well as touching on issues in logic, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. . . For any philosopher with a special interest in tolerance puzzles or the interpretation of de re modality, the book should be required reading. * Phillip Bricker, Journal of Philosophy *
a formidable achievement, exemplifying contemporary metaphysics at its best * Timothy Williamson, Analysis *
Cian Dorr studied at University College, Cork and Princeton University. He is currently Professor of Philosophy at New York University, and has previously held positions at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Oxford. John Hawthorne is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California and at the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic University. He was previously Waynflete Professor of Metaphysical Philosophy at the University of Oxford. Juhani Yli-Vakkuri is Senior Research Fellow at the Dianoia Institute of Philosophy at the Australian Catholic Unieversity. He was previously Professor of Philosophy of Language at the University of Tartu.
SKU NIN9780198910770
ISBN 13 9780198910770
ISBN 10 0198910770
Title The Bounds of Possibility
Author Cian Dorr
Condition New
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Oxford University Press
Year published 2024-03-07
Number of pages 448
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
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