Publisher's Synopsis
The "Handbook of Metaphysics and Ontology" reflects the conviction that the history of metaphysics and current work in metaphysics and ontology can each throw valuable light on the other. Thus it is designed to serve both as a means of making more widely accessible the results of recent scholarship in the history of philosophy, and also as a unique work of reference in relation to the metaphysical themes at the centre of much current debate in analytic philosophy.;The work contains more than 450 shorter articles on specific themes and methods in metaphysics and ontology, together with biographical essays summarizing the thinking of the most important philosophers within the traditions dealt with. In addition, it contains about 20 longer survey articles mapping out both historically and systematically the main areas of metaphysics and ontology. All contributions have been specially commissioned for this project from leading authorities in their respective fields.;A special feature of the work is the particular attention that is paid to topics and issues of relevance to contemporary philosophical debates. The work includes also a series of articles on the logical and mathematical tools of metaphysics and on the applications of metaphysical ideas within linguistics psychology, cognitive science, and mathematics.;The articles are ordered alphabetically and a detailed index of cross-references is provided. Each article is provided with an up-to-date bibliography designed as an aid to further research.
